Sea Scouts
Sea Scout units– called ships- are established all across the country on oceans, bays, rivers, and lakes. They provide limitless opportunities and exciting challenges that you won’t find anywhere else. Sea Scouts is a place to grow and learn, find adventure, and build long lasting friendships.
Sea Scouts is a co-educational Scouting America program for young people ages 14–20 that focuses on maritime skills, leadership, water safety, and adventure on and around the water. Participants develop boating skills, seamanship, navigation, and leadership while doing activities like sailing, cruising, diving, and water service projects. Ranks include Apprentice, Ordinary, Able, and the Quartermaster Award (the Sea Scout equivalent of Eagle Scout), emphasizing both skill and leadership development.
Ranks
Apprentice
The Apprentice rank in Sea Scouts is the first step, focusing on foundational knowledge like safety procedures, basic seamanship skills, and understanding the Sea Scout ideals.
Ordinary
The Ordinary rank in Sea Scouts builds upon the foundation of the Apprentice rank, requiring deeper knowledge of seamanship, piloting, communication, and safety, along with active participation in ship activities and leadership roles.
Able
The Able rank in Sea Scouts signifies a high level of proficiency. It requires mastering advanced seamanship skills, earning the Lifesaving merit badge, completing a significant long cruise, and fulfilling leadership roles within their ship.
Quartermaster
The Quartermaster Award is the highest honor in Sea Scouting, equivalent to the Eagle Scout Award. It recognizes exceptional leadership, advanced seamanship skills, and a commitment to service, requiring significant accomplishments in areas like navigation, boat handling, leadership, and community service.
Sea Scout Quarterdeck
The Great Smoky Mountain Council Sea Scout Quarterdeck is composed of a team of youth officers from the council’s Sea Scout Ships and is supported by a Council Commodore. The Quarterdeck is largely responsible for strengthening Sea Scouting in the council, planning events, coordinating Introduction to Leadership Skills for Ships training sessions, and more. The Quarterdeck also carries out service projects for the council.
The Quarterdeck provides opportunities for adventure, leadership, personal growth, and service. It also opens the door to service on the Sea Scout Quarterdecks and VOAs of our NST, our Region, and the Nation.
Sea Scout Leadership Award
Annually, the Quarterdeck recognizes Sea Scouts and Skippers/Mates who have made exceptional contributions to Sea Scouts and who exemplify the Scout Oath and Law with the Council Sea Scout Leadership Award. Nominations are made each year between January and mid February.
Do you know someone who is worthy of this great award?
Click HERE to for more information!
Interested in Being Part of the Quarterdeck?
Would you like to serve the Great Smoky Mountain Council Quarterdeck? Or do you know someone else who would be great as an officer?