Out Island Guide
The Florida Sea Base is eager for your arrival and participation in the Out Island Adventure. To aid in preparation for your trip, we would like to go over some of the highlights of the week you will spend with us. The Out Island Adventure challenges a crew in a different Scouting environment than they may be used to — a Robinson Crusoe-style adventure!
On your scheduled arrival day, you will arrive between 1:00 and 4:00 pm at the Brinton Environmental Center, located on Summerland Key, 20 miles north of Key West. Your first afternoon is quite busy. After a brief check-in, your Island Mate will show you to your air-conditioned quarters, followed by a tour of the facility. Next up, it’s into bathing suits and into the water for your swim review. At this point, you will be issued a mask, fins, snorkel and a Sea Base dive bag that you will have for the week of your adventure. If you have your own snorkeling gear, you are welcome to bring it with you. We will then provide a snorkel instruction lesson so you are comfortable with your gear. This will be followed by an opening program and enjoyable slide show which describes some of the underwater creatures you’ll want to enjoy and/or avoid on your adventure and includes snapshots of some of the fun you will be having during your stay on Big Munson Island.
On your second day at Sea Base you will take a Polynesian war canoe to Big Munson Island with all your personal gear. Your personal gear will be stowed in a 12” by 24” dry bag, which is checked out to you before you depart for the island. Pack light! The trip is 5 miles over open water, so come prepared for some great paddling! Big Munson Island is made up of high hardwood hammocks, low mangrove swamp and a sandy beach. You will have to wade ashore with all of your food, water, and equipment. Depending on the wind and tide, this wading trip can be from your ankles up to your chest. Once you arrive on this pristine island, it will all be worth it. Two people will be housed in four man backpacking tents, and the tents are directly on the ground (not platforms), so a sleeping pad comes in handy. Tents and cooking gear are already on the island.
Your will have 3 full days of adventure on Big Munson Island. You will spend one day on and around the island exploring, snorkeling, kayaking, and shark fishing, among other activities. You will spend day fishing in a powerboat in the waters off the Florida Keys with the goal of adding some fresh fish or possibly lobster to the menu. (NOTE: To be in compliance with Florida Law, anyone 16 years old or older must purchase a fishing license to participate in any fishing activities, see below). The last full day will be spent snorkeling on Looe Key or the patch reefs called Munson Rocks, and working on an environmental project and will be concluded with a closing campfire on the island.
On your sixth day, you will repack your equipment and paddle back to the Brinton Center for a great evening closing ceremony, patch presentation, and seafood luau. We ask that everyone depart the Sea Base facility on the following day by 11:00 am so that we may adequately prepare for the next round of arrivals.
The Out Island Adventure does not visit Key West as part of its itinerary. If your crew wants to visit Key West, make plans to visit it either before or after your adventure.
The Out Island schedule allows individuals to purchase 3 day Florida fishing licenses for their adventure. The day in which you will need your 3 day license to begin will be 2 days after your arrival day at Seabase. For example: Your crew arrives at Seabase on Sunday, June 1st. You will want to pre-purchase a 3 day licenses for the period of Tuesday June 3rd through Thursday, June 5th. A fishing licence is not required for anyone 15 years old or younger.
The current Florida fishing licenses costs as of September 2011:
For residents of Florida:
-$17.00 for a one year saltwater license There are no 3 or 7 day licenses available for residents
For non-residents of Florida
-$17.00 for a 3 day saltwater license
Lobster tags (resident and non-resident)
-$5.00 for one year (needed for adventures during the last consecurtive Wednesday and Thursday in July and August 6th-March 31st)
Florida fishing licenses can be pre-purchased for the desired dates with a credit card:
By Telephone: Tool Free (888) 347-4356
The Florida Fish and Wildlife adds a convenience fee of $3.33 plus 2.5% of the toal sale per person for using the telephone line to purchase licenses.
By Internet: httt://www.myfwc.com
The Florida Fish and Wildlife adds a convenience fee of $2.31 plus 2.5% of the toal sale per person for using the online website to purchase licenses.
WHAT TO BRING FOR OUT ISLAND, KEYS AND FLORIDA FISHING ADVENTURES:
BRING FOR ALL ADVENTURES
- 1 Set Field or Activity uniforms
- Short-sleeve T-shirts (2-4)
- Lightweight rain gear (pants optional)
- Sunglasses with strap (Polarized are best)
- 1 Pair of tennis shoes or comfortable shoes (optional for Out Island Adventure)
- 16 oz of SPF 50+ sunscreen lotion (no sprays)
- 1-2 pairs of comfortable shorts
- Toiletry kit
- Wide brimmed hat
- 2 – 3 pair of Socks
- Large-mouth water bottle with carabiner, (If you like coffee, a mug in addition is good)
- Sleeping bag or light blanket/ sheet for island sleeping (if you just bring a light blanket/sheet for island sleeping be sure to bring an additional blanket for sleeping on base as the room can feel cold)
- Swim trunks or board shorts (males)
- One-piece swimsuit (females)
- 1-2 towels
- 1 small pillow
- Baby Powder or Gold Bond® (to cut down on chafing)
- 1 pair flip-flops or sandals
- Insect repellant
- Prescription Medication
- Florida Fishing License (if you are 16 or older)
- Proof of age/photo ID
- Copy of Medical Insurance information
- Hawaiian style shirt (for the Luau)
- Flashlight or headlamp
ALSO BRING FOR OUT ISLAND and KEYS ADVENTURE ONLY
- Sleeping pad - Backpacking style
- Lightweight long pants & longsleeve shirt (bug and sunburn protection)
- 1 pair of booties, aqua socks or water shoes with hard soles
- Hammock (optional)
OPTIONAL ITEMS FOR ALL
- Camera (waterproof is optimal)
- Personal snorkel gear (Sea Base will provide it if you do not have your own)
- Extra money ($100—$125)
- Bonine® (for seasickness)
DO NOT BRING
- MP3 players, Fireworks, Skateboards, Spear guns, Scout inappropriate clothing.
- Portable DVD players
- Mess Kits
NOTE: Make sure you can successfully pass the BSA Swim Test.
NOTE: Make sure your name is on the crew roster your leader sends us.
NOTE: Don’t forget to bring a photocopy of front and back of insurance card.
SHIP’S STORE
Most of the items on the “What to Bring List” are carried in our Ship’s Store with the exception of shoes, socks, and sleeping gear. The Florida Sea Base supplies everything that you would need for the adventure. $100 to $125 is adequate spending money unless you want to buy a lot of souvenirs.
*BEING PHYSICALLY FIT*
Every participant in the Florida Sea Base High Adventure program needs to be physically fit for the strenuous demands that will be placed on their body. The Sea Base programs are PHYSICALLY CHALLENGING. Get in shape! Stay in shape! You will be in the water a great deal, so go swimming with your crew at your local pool often. Do some light exercises to increase your stamina. You will be frequently lifting your body in and out of the water to boats and docks. You have dedicated a lot of your personal time and resources to come to Sea Base. Get the most out of your experience by being ready - physically and mentally. All High Adventure Participants should not exceed the suggested weight to height guidelines, which are listed in the BSA Health and Medical Record. All participants must be in good health evidenced by a BSA Health and Medical Record filled out and signed by your doctor within the past 12 months. The unique tropical environment has very different requirement from most Scouting and outdoor activities. All programs involve snorkeling and entering and exiting a vessel via ladders rated to only 295 pounds. People weighing 295 pounds or over are not allowed to participate in Sea Base High Adventure. Participants not meeting this requirement will be sent home at their own expense.
MAIL
PARENTS - Do not send mail. Sea Base offers programs to hundreds of Scouts on the sea, on the land and on the island. We will not deliver mail from home to Scouts unless it is mail of urgency, i.e. glasses, medicine, etc. left at home.