Guide To Florida Sea Base: Boy Scout High Adventure Camp - 16 Important Factors - Scoutips (2023)

Apart from regular meetings and campouts, each Boy Scout has an opportunity to participate in 1 of 4 exclusive high-adventure camps situated across the nation. In this article, we will be pin-pointing a marine-based camp in a Guide to Florida Sea Base.

Thinking of starting scuba diving in prep for Sea Base? Check out this article for a beginner’s guide!

Guide to Florida Sea Base is just one of the many high-adventure camps for Boy Scouts. Here are the 4 high adventures that Boy Scouts of America offers:

In this article, we will be providing a guide to the Florida Sea Base, outlining the following topics:

This article focuses on Florida National High Adventure Sea Base. Nestled in Islamorada of the Florida Keys, this high-adventure Scout Camp offers a once-in-a-lifetime experience to discover the ocean both above and underwater. Scouts can participate in Scuba Diving, Sailing, Snorkeling, Paddleboarding, Kayaking, and Ocean Conservation in the beautiful tropics.

  1. Guide to Florida Sea Base: What to Bring
  2. Guide to Florida Sea Base: Transportation
  3. Guide to Florida Sea Base: Weather
  4. Guide to Florida Sea Base: Food
  5. Guide to Florida Sea Base: Lodging
  6. Guide to Florida Sea Base: Schedule
  7. Guide to Florida Sea Base: Staff
  8. Guide to Florida Sea Base: Facilities
  9. Guide to Florida Sea Base: Store
  10. Guide to Florida Sea Base: Food Court
  11. Guide to Florida Sea Base: Internet
  12. Guide to Florida Sea Base: Showers and Restrooms
  13. Guide to Florida Sea Base: Extra-Curriculars/Things to Do
  14. Guide to Florida Sea Base: Atmosphere
  15. Guide to Florida Sea Base: Around the Area
  16. Guide to Florida Sea Base: Overall Opinion

Note: This article is not meant to outline the program that Scouts will partake in at Sea Base. This is rather a guide to provide an overview of the camp itself.

Guide To Florida Sea Base: Boy Scout High Adventure Camp - 16 Important Factors - Scoutips (1)

What to Bring

  • First of all, Sea Base will provide you with a packing guide before you go. However, I am adding things you might need/should be emphasized.
  • Get a windbreaker/light jacket. Due to the weather, you can be caught in a downpour at the wrong time. In addition, it might get a little chilly at night, especially for those susceptible to the cold.
  • Bring at least $100 to use as pocket money on the trip. There are many great souvenirs, snacks, and necessities to buy at camp. If you don’t burn through it all, that’s fine, but bring it just in case.
  • Buy a watch. Even the $10 watches at the local convenience stores work, as long as they are water-resistant and can tell the time properly.
  • Devices. Phones and computers are totally okay in Sea Base. There is service and charging ports. Lots of adults especially got the opportunity to catch up on office work during their stay.

Note: Continue reading for more detailed info about the weather, internet, store, and more!

Transportation

  • To the camp:
    • The main highway stretching along the Keys (HWY 1 Overseas Highway) takes you to Sea Base
    • There are no crosswalks, meaning you have to jaywalk
  • In the camp:
    • The whole camp is within walking distance
    • To go to your daily activities, whether it be scuba diving or sailing, you will go by boats
Guide To Florida Sea Base: Boy Scout High Adventure Camp - 16 Important Factors - Scoutips (2)

Weather

  • It is always muggy in the Sunshine State, even in the night
  • Afternoons from 12-5 PM are the worst heat
  • It rains almost every day, usually in the early morning, but occasionally during the day. When it rains, it pours hard for a short amount of time
  • Weather can often be unpredictable, as the Keys are especially prone to hurricanes (meaning be warned when on your trip)
  • Definitely, a weather shock if you don’t live in Florida!

Food

  • The food isn’t amazing, but it is filling and good enough to pass by. Reasonably as good as you can get in a Scout Camp.
  • On the last dinner before leaving, everyone has a luau, providing delicious barbecue-style food (one of the best meals in camp)
  • Food is accommodating to vegetarians and gluten-free Scouts
  • Meals are in outdoor seating, but with the Florida weather, it’s quite pleasant to sit outside
Guide To Florida Sea Base: Boy Scout High Adventure Camp - 16 Important Factors - Scoutips (3)

Lodging

  • All crews are provided with indoor air-conditioned dorms and showers
  • 8 people (a full crew) can fit in a dorm, and it includes charging ports, fans, air-conditioning, and raised bunks with mattresses
  • Practically bug and animal-free; the Keys are nearly devoid of any insects or large land animals
  • Each hall of dorms shares an open common room, with high-quality AC, cleaning supplies, and furniture
  • You will also share bathrooms with the rest of your floor, which are relatively clean and good-quality
  • It’s the best you will ever get in a Scout camp!

Schedule

  • SHOCKER: There’s no fixed schedule!
  • The only times set in stone are the meal times, which for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, are 7:30 AM, 12 PM, and 6 PM, respectively.
  • Everything else is up to the whims of your staff guides, for better or for worse.
  • But usually, you will have your daily activity, eat lunch on your boat or at home base (depending on your program and itinerary), come back and relax, eat dinner, and have the rest of the night off
  • This leaves you with a lot of free time, which we will hope to alleviate in the “Extracurriculars/Things to Do Section.”
Guide To Florida Sea Base: Boy Scout High Adventure Camp - 16 Important Factors - Scoutips (4)

Staff

  • For any outdoor activity, you will always have a staff member accompanying you
  • Each crew is assigned one staff member to guide them throughout the week.
  • They are all highly qualified and laid-back, so if you need anything, don’t be afraid to ask!

Facilities

  • As previously stated, the camp has good quality bathrooms, housing, and food
  • They also have a snack bar and gift shop (which will be discussed in the following 2 sections)
  • All indoor places have ACs, and some outdoor areas have fans/ventilation
  • A chapel for prayer and a game room for recreation are available
Guide To Florida Sea Base: Boy Scout High Adventure Camp - 16 Important Factors - Scoutips (5)

Store

  • Large air-conditioned store on the waterside, open during most of your free time
  • Has all kinds of goods in the shop, from souvenirs to essentials, to merch, to drinks!
  • Prices are obviously marked up but are pretty fair for the most part
  • Popular buying options: belts, hats, shirts, and stickers of Sea Base Merch
Guide To Florida Sea Base: Boy Scout High Adventure Camp - 16 Important Factors - Scoutips (6)

Food Court (Snack Bar)

  • The snack bar is near the game room beneath the dorms; small and cozy
  • Offers store-bought ice creams, as well as their handmade beverages
  • Includes items such as milkshakes, which is the most popular item on the menu. Pretty expensive at $6, but is big enough to be split between 2 people, and is still almost as filling as a whole meal
Guide To Florida Sea Base: Boy Scout High Adventure Camp - 16 Important Factors - Scoutips (7)

Internet

  • Good data is available in almost all of the camp, even on the boat during daily excursions!
  • Fast enough for good quality calls and movie-streaming
  • Some places in the camp have Wifi, though they are password protected and may not be open to Scouts

Showers and Restrooms

  • Each dorm hallway has showers, the ground floor has 2 rows of them, and there are bathrooms next to the canteen that has showers with them
  • The cleanest bathrooms are usually your own dorm’s ones!

Extra-Curriculars/Things to Do

  • Hang out at the dock and watch the sunset (the sunrise happens behind the buildings so not a great view). You can take photos, lay out on the dock, or hang your feet over the edge. Some people even fish! Just know that the dock isn’t open after dark.
  • Play games in the game room beneath the dorms. They have classics like ping-pong and bean bag toss. Plus, it’s right next to the snack shack in case you want to slurp up a milkshake too!
  • Go shopping in the trading post (“The Ship Store”). With its wide selection of items, take some time to bag some souvenirs for the family. Also, they have a map in the corner of the store that plots out where every troop who visited Sea Base is from. Add yours to the list!
  • Take walks around the camp. With the pleasant weather in the early morning and evening, it’s the perfect time and place to take walks along the dock, marina, chapel, and around the colorful dorms. This is an all-day activity that never gets old with good company.
  • Unfortunately, that’s most of what you can do during your free time (which you have a lot of). This means that you will have a lot of time with your crew friends to spend, for better or for worse.
Guide To Florida Sea Base: Boy Scout High Adventure Camp - 16 Important Factors - Scoutips (8)

Atmosphere

  • Continuous rotation of Scout crews: some will come and leave on Wednesdays, others on Sundays; this means that there are no real formal ceremonies
  • No morning/evening flags; simply grab your food and eat!
  • Overall, it’s a a much more relaxed experience than any other adventure camp or Boy Scout outing you will ever go on
  • As such, you have a lot of freedom and flexibility on what you want to do during your stay. So enjoy!

Around the Area

  • Across the street is Habanos, a Cuban restaurant that is frequented by Sea Base-goers. The food is pretty decent, so if you ever need a day off from Sea Base food, you know where to go!
  • Down the street is the Florida Overseas Heritage Trail, which takes you over the bridge of Lower Matecumbe Key (the island that Sea Base is on) to scenic views of the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean
  • However, there isn’t much to do outside the premises of Sea Base, since Lower Matecumbe Key is mostly a residential area over anything else
Guide To Florida Sea Base: Boy Scout High Adventure Camp - 16 Important Factors - Scoutips (9)

Overall Opinion

  • This was one of the most fun and unique Scout camps I’ve ever been on.
  • The experience with the camp was extremely favorable, and coupled with the awesome daily activities, I would love to go back again!
  • My only request would be for more fun activities to be available after scheduled excursions.
  • Otherwise, a great once-in-a-lifetime experience. With this guide to Florida Sea Base, we’re sure you will have a blast!

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FAQs

What do Scouts do at Seabase? ›

Sea Base is a unique Scouting program that offers aquatics programs found nowhere else. Whether your interests lie in sailing, scuba diving, rustic camping on an undeveloped barrier island, fishing or a combination of all, this is the place for your Troop, Team, Crew, Sea Ship or Explorer Post.

What are the 7 essentials of Boy Scouts? ›

Boy Scout's 10 Essentials
  • Pocketknife.
  • First Aid Kit.
  • Extra Clothing.
  • Rain gear.
  • Water bottle (filled)
  • Flashlight.
  • Trail food.
  • Matches and fire starters.

What are the weight requirements for sea base? ›

Weight Requirements: Due to rescue equipment restrictions and evacuation efforts from remote sites, under no circumstances will any individual exceeding 295 pounds be permitted to participate. Anyone arriving at Sea Base exceeding 295 pounds will be sent home at their own expense.

What should I pack for Seabase? ›

Personal Gear:
  • 1 Light Weight Sleeping Cover.
  • 1 Lightweight Sleeping Pad.
  • 1 Small Pillow.
  • Headlamp.
  • Polarized Sunglasses.
  • Water Bottle with Carabiner.
  • Reef-Safe Sunscreen, No Sprays.
  • Lip Balm.

What is the difference between Scouts and Sea Scouts? ›

What are Sea Scouts? All young people in Scouting have the opportunity to enjoy water activities, but in Sea Scouting, considerable emphasis is on these activities, and many aspects of naval and nautical traditions are incorporated.

What is the top rank in Sea Scouts? ›

The Quartermaster Award is the highest rank attainable in the Sea Scouting program of the Boy Scouts of America.

What are the 4 C's of Boy Scouts? ›

The Outdoor Code: As an American, I will do my best to be clean in my outdoor manners, be careful with fire, be considerate in the outdoors, and be conservation-minded. The Outdoor Code is one of the most important foundations of Scouting.

What are the three R's in Boy Scouts? ›

The "three R's" of Youth Protection convey a simple message for the personal awareness of our youth members: Recognize that anyone could be a molester; Respond when someone is doing something that goes against your gut or against the safety guidelines; and Report attempted or actual molestation or any activity that you ...

Where do you sleep at Sea Base? ›

For my sailing adventure, where do I sleep on the sailing vessel? Due to heat most participants will choose to sleep on deck.

What merit badges can you earn at sea base? ›

Merit Badges:
  • Astronomy.
  • Bird Study.
  • Cooking.
  • Fishing.
  • Kayaking.
  • Life Saving.
  • Oceanography.
  • Photography.

How big is the crew at Sea Base? ›

Sea Base has combined scuba with a live aboard experience to create one incredible adventure. You will spend your days discovering the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary above and below the water's surface. With a crew size of 10 to 12 people, your home will be aboard two vessels.

How do you pack for a beach day trip? ›

  1. Beach chairs. We recommend the backpack chairs that free up your hands. ...
  2. Cooler. Fill your cooler with plenty of bottled water and snacks. ...
  3. Baby Powder. ...
  4. Waterproof Sunscreen. ...
  5. Towels. ...
  6. Beach Umbrella or Tent. ...
  7. Beach radio. ...
  8. Now that you have all of the necessities, don't forget the fun stuff like sand toys and boogie boards!
Dec 21, 2020

Can a Sea Scout earn Eagle? ›

Can a Venturer or Sea Scout earn the Eagle Scout award? Yes. Any youth (boy or girl) who earns First Class rank in Scouts BSA may transfer primary membership to Venturing or Sea Scouts and continue to work on Eagle Scout requirements.

What is the motto of the Sea Scouts? ›

Sea Scouts belong to a world that is distinct from anything on shore, and they have their own language and customs. The water is not a place for the unwary, and the Scout motto, "Be Prepared," is imperative.

What is the leader of Sea Scouts called? ›

Councils with successful Sea Scouting program have an operating Council Sea Scout Committee lead by a Council Commodore, Council Sea Scouting Director, and Council Boatswain.

What is the hardest Scout rank? ›

It's a tough award to earn, with only 4% of all Boy Scouts reaching Eagle Scout rank. Potentially even more demanding than the Eagle Scout award, and certainly rarer, is the Hornaday award. Just how difficult is the Hornaday award to earn?

What is the Sea Scout equivalent of Eagle Scout? ›

The Quartermaster Award is the highest rank attainable by a Sea Scout can earn and is equivalent to Eagle Scout.

What are Sea Scouts called? ›

The Sea Scout Program

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.

What are the 12 rules of Boy Scouts? ›

There are 12 principles a Boy Scout lives by which is actually considered the Scout Law. "A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent." All leaders must have and live by a set of values.

What is the Scouts rule coding? ›

The Boy Scouting Rule is a programming principle that states, “Always leave the code you are working on a little bit better than you found it.” This adage is inspired by the Boy Scouts of America's Leave No Trace principles, which encourage individuals to leave the environment cleaner than they found.

What are the 12 traits of a Boy Scout? ›

The Foundation of Scouting

Scout Law: A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.

What is the first rule of Boy Scouts? ›

On my honor I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; to help other people at all times; to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.

What is the golden rule Boy Scouts? ›

"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." That's a great guide for living, Scouts. If we always followed that rule, we would always be kind to others because no one wants unkindness done to him.

What are the 5 Scout values? ›

Our Values
  • Integrity - We act with integrity; we are honest, trustworthy and loyal.
  • Respect - We have self-respect and respect for others.
  • Care - We support others and take care of the world in which we live.
  • Belief - We explore our faiths, beliefs and attitudes.

What are the 4 steps to Boy Scout advancement? ›

There are four steps in the Scout BSA advancement procedure: learning, testing, reviewing, and recognition.

How old do you have to be to go to BSA sea base? ›

Age Requirement: Every participant must be at least 13 years of age by their date of arrival at Sea Base. No exceptions can or will be made.

Is there a snorkeling merit badge? ›

1: Before doing other requirements, successfully complete the BSA swimmer test: Jump feetfirst into water over the head in depth, level off, and begin swimming.

Where does a sailor sleep in a ship? ›

Whether on a ship or submarine, Sailors are provided with sufficient living spaces. The berthing area allows you an area for storage and an assigned rack for sleeping. The cooks in the kitchen (galleys) constantly prepare food for the servicemembers onboard.

What is the easiest merit badge? ›

The 3 simplest merit badges that any Scout can earn are Art, Fingerprinting, and Photography. These badges require few supplies and can be quickly completed in an afternoon.

What is the most earned merit badge? ›

The 10 most-earned merit badges of 2022
2022 RankMerit Badge
1Citizenship in Society
2First Aid
3Swimming
4Environmental Science
6 more rows
Feb 28, 2023

How much does Scout sea base cost? ›

Program Fees

Fees are all inclusive and start at $45 for half day and start at $90 for full day experiential adventures. Multi-Day Experiential Adventures are $90 per day and include all equipment, vessel trips, staff support, food service and housing.

What is the minimum crew for a ship? ›

To operate the vessel properly, a minimum number of crew members is required. The number varies depending on the factors like the type of vessel, cargo operation, size, local standards, etc. Modern ships can have a crew of 15-25 persons.

What is the average crew size of a ship? ›

Crew. The crew on a bulk carrier typically consists of 20 to 30 people, though smaller ships can be handled by 8. The crew includes the captain or master, the deck department, the engine department, and the steward's department.

Why do you need baby powder at the beach? ›

The powder works by absorbing excess moisture on the skin, thus making it easier to simply brush off the sand. As LifeHacker reported, the powder even works in wet hair to help release any grains of sand stuck on your scalp.

What are some snacks to bring to the beach? ›

The Best and Easy Beach Snacks
  • Hummus and Veggies. Pair the hummus with veggies, pita chips, bread, or yummy crackers. ...
  • Sliced Apple with Peanut Butter. What is this? ...
  • Watermelon Slices. ...
  • Berries and other fruits. ...
  • Cheese and Crackers. ...
  • Hard-Boiled Eggs. ...
  • Corn on the Cob. ...
  • Roasted Peanuts or Other Nuts.
Mar 29, 2023

What do guys wear to the beach? ›

You'll want to wear cooling clothes that you don't mind getting sprayed with saltwater. Reach for styles like shorts, short-sleeve shirts, sandals and tanks. In terms of fabrication, seek out lightweight, breathable options such as cotton and linen. These natural fibers also trap in fewer odors than synthetics.

How heavy is a ruck? ›

Although there is some variation in the weight that is carried, it is typical for rucksacks to be at least 35 pounds and can be as much as 70 pounds. These marches are a test of physical ability and mental stability. They usually take place on a well-marked and fairly flat path.

Should heavy stuff go on top or bottom of rucksack? ›

If you are walking, pack the heavy things in the middle and towards the top of the backpack, in the section that is right next to your back. If, on the other hand, you are going skiing, it is smart to place the weight low and towards the back.

How do you weigh down a ruck? ›

The most cost efficient option, which works amazingly well, is to take a sandbag (or any bag), fill it with sand, and duct tape it… over, and over, and over. The result is a secure yet not completely hard weight that works perfectly.

How not to overpack for a beach vacation? ›

10 Brilliant Tips to Stop Overpacking for Vacation That You Need...
  1. Plan out Your Outfits Ahead of Time. ...
  2. Take Things You Can Wear More Than Once. ...
  3. Bring Travel Laundry Detergent. ...
  4. Bring Only 3 Pairs of Shoes. ...
  5. Make a Checklist. ...
  6. Use Packing Organizers. ...
  7. Pack More Tops Than Bottoms. ...
  8. “Just in Case”

How many outfits do I need for a 7 day beach vacation? ›

“As a general rule of thumb, if I'm going away for a seven-night beach holiday, I'd pack two to three pieces of swimwear (so that they have time to dry in between), a pair of shorts and a couple of skirts, four tops that match all my shorts and skirts, and a dress in case I go somewhere special,” Mak told AFAR in 2017.

How many clothes to pack for 7 days? ›

2. Do the clothing countdown: If you need a mantra to help streamline your wardrobe, use the 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 rule for a weeklong trip: Limit yourself to no more than five sets of socks and underwear, four tops, three bottoms, two pairs of shoes and one hat. The list should be adjusted to suit your needs.

What activities are in sea scouting? ›

Sea Scouts are members of the international Scouting movement, with a particular emphasis on water-based activities, including swimming, snorkelling, lifeguard work, boardsailing, kayaking, canoeing, sailing and rowing.

What activities does Scout do? ›

Scouts are do-ers and give-it-a-go-ers. Yes, we go camping, hiking, swimming, abseiling, cycling and canoeing. But, we also get to hang out with our friends every week – having fun, playing games, working in a team and taking on new challenges.

What is a sea scout unit? ›

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.

What is the difference between sea scouts and sea cadets? ›

Sea Scouts is part of the Scout Association and is nothing to so with Sea Cadets which is a completely different organisation. This means that they are the same a Scouts but do water activities as well as normal Scouting Activities. This is exactly the same whether it is Scouts, Sea Scouts or Air Scouts.

What are the 4 core Scouting activities? ›

Training sessions are based on the four core scouting activities: outdoor cooking, pioneering, outdoor exploration and camping.

What are Scouts good at? ›

Life-long self development and learning

We emphasise active learning for young people through adventure and challenge. At Scouts, children learn life skills such as independent thinking, leadership and problem solving skills, social interaction and responsibility.

What are Boy Scouts known for? ›

The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) provides the nation's foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training, which helps young people be “Prepared. For Life.

What is a Sea Scout uniform? ›

The Official Sea Scout Uniform is equivalent to the BSA field uniform and is for wear by youth and adults. The garments are commercially available work clothing similar to Dickies® work shirts and work pants.

What are electives in Sea Scouts? ›

Sea Scout Advancement Electives
  • Leadership. Attend National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT). ...
  • Duty to God. Participate in two appropriate interfaith religious services during ship outings. ...
  • Sailing. ...
  • Paddlecraft. ...
  • SCUBA. ...
  • Vessels. ...
  • Sail Racing. ...
  • Engines.
Oct 19, 2015

Can Sea Scouts earn Eagle? ›

Can a Venturer or Sea Scout earn the Eagle Scout award? Yes. Any youth (boy or girl) who earns First Class rank in Scouts BSA may transfer primary membership to Venturing or Sea Scouts and continue to work on Eagle Scout requirements.

What are the 3 types of Sea Cadet units? ›

Sea Cadet units are divided into three types: DIVISIONS – NSCC Divisions train primarily in the field of seamanship. SQUADRONS – NSCC Squadrons train primarily in the field of Aviation. BATTALIONS – NSCC Battalions train primarily in the field of Naval Construction.

Do Sea Cadets salute? ›

Navy/Sea Cadet Corps personnel salute the anthem, the flag, and officers as follows: Raise the right hand smartly until the tip of the forefingers touches the lower part of the headgear or forehead above and slightly to the right of the eye, extend and join the thumb and fingers.

What to expect in Sea Cadets? ›

Sea Cadets do many things including: sailing & safe boating, range safety, drill, music, and ship tours. In addition, Sea Cadets learn naval history & knowledge, Canadian citizenship, leadership, and instructional techniques. Cadets can also get involved in the Duke of Edinburgh program.

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