Sea Base Traditions
Flag Raising
Sea Base participants and staff gather in formation each morning at 7:45 a.m. for flag raising, and at 5:45 p.m. for flag retreat. All crews must wear their field uniforms or matching crew uniform. Your crew may be asked to perform the flag ceremony.
Council Strips
Over the years, many units have affixed their council strip or troop number patches to the galley (dining hall) rafters. If your unit is the first from your council to participate in a Sea Base program, you may want to bring a council strip for this purpose. No “plaques” or T-shirts, please; just simple patches.
Uniforming
Sea Base requires that your crew carry on the Scouting tradition by arriving at Sea Base in uniform. Crews must wear their Scout field uniform or crew uniform to flag raising, breakfast, and dinner. A Scout field uniform is considered to be a Scout shirt and Scout shorts; Scout socks and hat are optional at the unit’s discretion. Varsity and Venturing units should consider as a field uniform their unit shirt and Scout shorts. Luau nights are exceptions to this tradition.
Luau
On the last night of your Sea Base adventure, your crew will participate in a Sea Base luau. This special dinner event will be a festive evening of fun, music, and games. You are encouraged to bring Hawaiian/tropical-style clothing to help make this a memorable part of your stay at Sea Base. Experience has taught us that the crews that pre-plan for this event seem to have more fun. So practice the limbo and a skit for your luau!
Closing Reflections Ceremony
Your opportunity to share and reflect upon your experiences of the high seas. Each crew participates by adding a touch of creativity in the form of a song or skit related to its Sea Base experience.
Fishing at the Florida Sea Base
Participants in all sailing programs are covered by the boat fishing licenses, and do not need to purchase an additional fishing license. Keys Adventure, Out Island Adventure, and Florida Fishing Adventure participants 16 and older must pre-purchase a fishing license prior to arrival. Check the individual program guides for information on obtaining a Florida State Fishing License. Participants in scuba programs do not have fishing as part of their adventure.
The warm clear waters, tropical reef, and abundance of fish make the Florida Keys an ideal area to try your fishing skills.
Soft corals and hard corals, alive or dead, are protected by Florida Marine Law and therefore cannot be collected or molested. Also, the Florida Sea Base does not sanction shell or marine specimen collection.
The waters of the Keys are not open to spear fishing. DO NOT bring spear guns with you. We do not allow the use of spear guns or Hawaiian slings on any of our programs.
Additional Program Opportunities at Sea Base
Traditional advancements found in council camps are not emphasized at Sea Base. You may find other opportunities available to you at Sea Base.
Project S.C.E.N.E.
The Florida Sea Base became the first Scouting facility in the U.S. to be designated as a Scout Centre for Excellence of Nature and Environment (S.C.E.N.E.). Through participation in environmental programs like exotic plant eradication, fish ID and counts, and other projects, and by completing a project at home, Scouts can earn a Project S.C.E.N.E. patch. Ask for details on this program during your check-in.
Snorkeling BSA
Your passport to our underwater world is your snorkeling equipment (mask, fins, snorkel). You may earn the Snorkeling BSA award during your participation in Sea Base programs. However, we encourage the use of this award program as a means of advance preparation prior to your participation at Sea Base. Contact your local council regarding the requirements and application forms for Snorkeling BSA.
Scuba BSA
Due to time and staff constraints, Sea Base does not offer the Scuba BSA award as a Sea Base program. More information can be learned about this program through the BSA publication Scuba BSA, #19-515, available through your council office.
Duty to God Award
The Florida Sea Base has a chaplaincy program that offers the Duty to God Award for youth and adult participants who complete requirements appropriate to their adventure. The requirements are designed to help the individual participants and their crews remember a Scout’s Duty to God as they explore evidence of God’s creation in the oceans around them. People who complete the requirements are eligible to purchase a unique award patch that can be worn on their uniform.
Merit Badges
The merit badge program is designed as an individual or unit-level activity during weekend campouts or at summer camp. The experience offered at the Sea Base is a unique, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and may or may not fulfill a merit badge requirement. The program that our staff offers is not designed to fulfill merit badge requirements.
Captain’s Club Recognition
For crews participating in Coral Reef Adventure, Sea Exploring Adventure, Scuba Live Aboard Adventure, or Bahamas Sailing Adventure, both youth and adults will have the opportunity to earn an award based upon proficiency of learned and demonstrated sailing/boating skills during your adventure. An excellent reference for this award is the Sailing Guide on page 64; additional requirements specific to your vessel will also be required. The vessel captain or mate is the counselor for this award. See page 79 for participant evaluation form.
Kayaking BSA
If you are coming for the Coral Reef, Keys, Out Island or Eco Adventures your crew may have the opportunity to do enough kayaking to earn the Kayaking BSA award. Plan ahead and learn the various types of kayaks and to name the parts of the kayak and you will be well on your way to earning this award.