Sea Scouting started in England in 1911 and was brought to the United States in 1912. For decades, it existed as its own program in Scouting America and then became part of the Scouting America’s Exploring program in 1949. From 1998 - 2016, Sea Scouts was part of the Scouting America’s Venturing program. Most recently Sea Scouts again became its own independent program under Scouting America in February 2016.

Sea Scouts is a co-educational program offered to young adults ages 14**-21. They love boats and water, want to learn the skills of the sailor, can work on a team, but set personal goals, too - and have fun doing it. Ships provide opportunities for adventure and offer challenges you won't find anywhere else.

​**13 and finished the 8th grade.  Otherwise, applicant must be 14.

No.  While prior experience as a "land scout" will certainly be helpful, it is certainly not required.  Ship 25 is happy to have you join us regardless of whether or not you have previously been a Scout.​

Absolutely! A Sea Scout Ship is a great morale and program boost to any Troop. Because Sea Scouting largely focuses on a different group of young people than a Scout Troop does, the potential to have many more people involved in the programs exists. The goal is to be able to offer the Scouting program to more young people and not to take members from one group or another.

Here in Ship 25, young men and women organize themselves with the help of adults and design a program that interests them and will keep them involved. It is simple reality that a student who is a junior or senior will be more comfortable at a meeting where the youngest members are in ninth grade rather than sixth. Clearly he or she does not consider sixth graders his peers nor should he or she be expected to. The foundations of Sea Scouting are adventure, to hold the interest of young adults, and to service, developing leadership skills, teaching, and citizenship. Ship 25 members are encouraged to work closely with the Troop attending functions, providing leadership and instruction, and holding key leadership positions. Scouts will continue their advancement with the Troop through Eagle and also be eligible to earn Sea Scout awards and recognition. Some of the unseen benefits of a Sea Scout Ship associated with a Troop is the excitement and anticipation that it builds in the younger Scouts. It is a great way to not only provide a program for older youth but also to keep younger Scouts involved as they see what lies ahead in their Scouting future. Sea Scout Ships do not steal Scouts from Scout Troops. Young men and women who leave a Troop to join a Sea Scout Ship most likely would not have remained active for very much longer in the Troop anyway. It is much more accurate to say that Sea Scouting saves young people rather than steals them.

There are only so many leadership positions in a Troop, and once those are filled, older Scouts often feel like they have no purpose being there.  When high school age young people have a program of their own, it actually allows for a much larger pool of potential teachers and leaders from which the Troop can pull.

In conclusion, Sea Scout Ships are an asset to a Scout Troop.  They provide enhanced programming, leadership, and instructional support. Sea Scout Ships fill a void of programming for high school age youth and give younger Scouts a level of participation to aspire to. The youth of the New Birth of Freedom Council deserve the opportunity to learn and develop leadership skill in the context of a Sea Scout Ship.

Yes, as long as you have earned the First Class rank in your Scout Troop before joining Sea Scouts.  Ship 25 recognizes the enormous importance of achieving the rank of Eagle Scout and does everything possible to encourage Sea Scouts who have started advancement towards Eagle to continue that progress while a Sea Scout.  Many who join Ship 25 continue to remain active in their Scout Troops.  Leadership positions in the Ship can be used for advancement purposes in the Troop.  Even those Scouts who chose not to remain active in their old Troop can continue to work on their Eagle wholly within the confines of the Ship provided they were First Class or higher when they left their Troop.

Certainly not.  While many Sea Scouts go on to professions related to the sea and maritime activities, many others do not.  All adults, however, who have been Sea Scouts in their youth almost unanimously agree that their Sea Scouting experiences have been valuable preparation for adult life.  For those Sea Scouts who do decide to pursue their interest in the sea, it should be noted that both the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Coast Guard provide pay and rank advancement immediately upon enlistment for former Sea Scouts. For example, Sea Scouts who have achieved the Sea Scout Able rank can enlist in the Coast Guard as Seaman Apprentices (E-2), and Sea Scout Quartermasters can enlist as Coast Guard Seamen (E-3).​

No. However learning to operate a small boat and the principles of sailing are part of the program. In other words, we will teach you! Bill Koch, winner of the 1992 America’s Cup, attributes his learning how to sail to reading the Sea Scout manual as a youth.

It’s getting out on the water!  Ship 25 uses a variety of boats: from outboard motorboats to large sailing yachts. But no matter how we roam the sea, you'll discover a thrill that you just can't get anywhere else. You belong to a world that is distinct from anything on shore, with its own language and practices.

You'll learn boat handling under sail, piloting and rules-of-the-road, navigation and how to read the weather.  Absorbing the history and traditions of the sea, learning knots, splicing and fancy ropework are also part of the program.  In the midst of all this you'll also develop skills in boat maintenance, engine service, marine electronics, and how to plan a long cruise.

The challenge is how to take your vessel from point A to point B, while being ready for whatever you may encounter along the way. This is what makes Sea Scouting great.