FAQ

All youth age 14–20 (or 13 and finished 8th grade) can participate in Sea Scouts. No previous Scouting experience is needed. Sea Scouts has always been co-ed.

No. New Scouts learn together. Even experienced paddlers and sailors learn new skills in Sea Scouts.

Not to join.

However, to participate in many water activities, youth must pass the BSA Swim Test or follow modified participation guidelines. We teach water safety from day one.

We aim for one typical "meeting" with business and training and one or more outdoor activities each month.  Meetings are planned on a month-to-month basis to accommodate everyone's busy schedules.  Find upcoming meetings on our Calendar.

Absolutely!  We encourage Ship members to continue as an active member of their current Troop and/or Crew and participate in Sea Scouts at a level that fits them best.  

Scouting America and the Great Rivers Council require registration and membership fees.  For youth, these total $145 per year ($101 for adults) and cover things like insurance, training and support.  If these fees create a barrier to participation, help is available.

If you're already an actively registered member of a Troop or Crew, THERE ARE NO ADDITIONAL FEES TO PARTICIPATE in the Ship.  

At a unit level, Sea Scouting is youth led, so the youth members decide what they want to do and how they will pay for it.

If you've achieved First Class, you can use activities in Sea Scouts to satisfy rank requirements for Star, Life, and Eagle with or without a Troop.  Leading and participating in ship activities provides additional opportunities to complete those rank requirements.

Sea Scouts have a distinct maritime identity separate from Troops and Crews, inspired by naval tradition.  The key element of the official uniform is a dark navy work-style shirt (see this fact sheet), but many ships spend most of their time in activity uniforms (e.g. a unit t-shirt) that the members select.  The unit will provide a unit t-shirt to new members.