Sea Scout Officers' Specialized Training: Instructor's Guide

THE TRAINING PLAN

First: All Venturing adult leaders, including Sea Scout officers, are expected to take the standard Venturing training course. All Sea Scout officers are required to take the Adult Venturing Leader Basic Training before participating in this specialized training.

Sea Scout officers should understand that standard Venturing training and national program supports apply to all kinds of Venturing units. It is just as important that Sea Scout officers understand the high-school-age youth and the basic purposes of the program as any other leader in Venturing.

Second: When the Sea Scout officer has taken Adult Venturing Leader Basic Training, he becomes eligible to take part in this specialized course. It is composed of two 2 and one-half hour sessions that introduct adults to the Sea Scout Manual, and other program reference materials. Without a thorough understanding of these resources, the leader is seriously disadvantaged. Sea Scouts should not expect their leaders to know all the answers, but they can expect their leaders to know where to find them. This course serves that end.

WHEN TO USE THIS TRAINING PLAN

1. In the organization of a new ship, this specialized training follows the Adult Venturing Leader Basic Training.
2. During the reorganization of a ship, these sessions should be given to both experienced and new officers and committeemembers.
3. When needed, specialized Sea Scout training can be on a district or council basis to train new officerss in existing Sea Scout ships.

HOW TO CONDUCT THIS TRAINING

There are several ways to conduct this specialized training. Use the one that seems to suit your situation best.

1. Run both sessions on a single day.
2. Run the sessions on consecutive evenings.
3. Conduct one session a week during a 2-week period.

THE TRAINING STAFF

The key instructor for specialized training should be a person with knowledge and background in the Sea Scouting program. This kind of person can be selected by the district or council Training Committee or council Sea Scouting Committee from its own membership or from qualified leaders in the existing Sea Scout ships. For smooth operation, at least two adults are needed to conduct this training. A good instructor will exchange roles with an assistant frequently so that both will be involved in presentations during the two sessions.

TRAINING STAFF PREPARATION

In order to give effective and enthusiastic leadership, the staff must prepare in advance. Experience has proved that this can best be done by reading each reference in the Sea Scout Manual and then carefully preparing for each presentation, project, and discussion.

NOTE: As you send out cards and bulletins promoting attendance, urge participants to secure a copy of the most current Sea Scout Manual and read the first four chapters.

It is suggested that copies of appendixes A, B, and D, be made available to the trainees at the beginning of class.

It is also suggested but not required that coffee/refreshments be assessible for the trainees.

SEA SCOUT MANUALS ARE NECESSARY

Both sessions are designed to introduce the Sea Scout Manual. Everyone taking the course must have one. Either they must buy one themselves or the instructor must have enough manuals available for loan.

PERSONAL COACHING

When formal training is not feasible, personal coaching can be effective. However, it must be conducted under the following conditions: the coach should be an instructor who has conducted specialized training before, or, at least, has taken the course; and, the coach conducts the course from this guide adapting the material to fit the circumstances. Most of this course's value is through the sharing of information.

EXHIBIT MATERIAL

A well-planned exhibit of Venturing material will do much to help the instructor tell the whole story of Venturing in addition to selling Sea Scouting. The instructor should make an attractive display of the following literature:

Sea Scout Manual, No. 33239B
Advancement Report, No. 34403
Sea Scout Scorecard, No. 33177
Handbook For Skippers, No. 33233 (2001?)
How To Organize a Sea Scout Ship, No. 25-352
Sea Scouting promotional flyer, No. 25-353
Sea Scouting Council Guide, No. 6643
Insignia Guide, No. 33064
Boating Safety, any pertinent State/Federal material
All BSA merit badge pamphlets listed in rank requirement references, No. 33000 (series)
Disability Awareness, BSA merit badge pamphlet

Add to this literature any logbooks, marine equipment, charts, maps, or models that relate to the course.

REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTIFICATION

Sea Scout leaders (referred to throughout the program as officers) are considered trained in Sea Scout Officers' Specialized Training when they have participated and completed in both sessions. At the end of the second session, they are presented the Training certificate, No. 33767.

The instructor should make an accurate attendance check at each session using the Training Attendance Report, No. 34413, available at the council office. Ensure that the completed attendance sheet gets back to the council office.

To qualify for either the Skipper's Key or the Sea Scouter's Training Award, Sea Scout officers must complete the requirements as listed in appendix A.

BEWARE OF THE "UNDERKNOW"

"Underknow" like undertow is a dangerous undercurrent in training. It is a backwash of cutting short and half-knowledge that leaves the trainees without the information they need for understanding and using the Sea Scout Manual and related literature. "Underknow" can be eliminated by carefully preparing each session. This means trainers are not to take shortcuts, but follow this guide to the best of their ability.

USING LANDSHIPS

The proper atmosphere is important when conducting this specialized training. Whenever possible, the instructor should hold the course aboard a landship. Dramatizing the opening and closing ceremonies adds color and interest. The instructors act as the ships' officers and the trainees serve as the crew. See Appendix B of this Instructor's Guide as well as Appendix K of the 1997 Revision of the Sea Scout Manual.

SESSION 1 (2.5 hours)

BEFORE THE TRAINING BEGINS (15 MINUTES)

Set up the exhibit material and prepare to record those attending on the Training Attendance Report. Everyone should have a Sea Scout Manual so have a supply available for sale or loan.

Greet everyone as they arrive and direct them to the registration table. Give each person a name tag and see that they become acquainted with the others. Call attention to the exhibit and ask everyone to examine it.

Organize the trainees into crews, briefing them in their immediate role for the Opening Ceremony.

OPENING (15 MINUTES)

Welcome and Instruction: Welcome the group and give brief instructions on how to line up and conduct the opening ceremony. In conducting the Opening Ceremony, dramatize the opening ceremony using the training staff as officers and the trainees as the crew. (Refer to Appendix B for suggested script.)

Introduction of Staff: After the ceremony, introduce your associates and set the tone of the course by reading the following statement:

It is important that all of you understand that the following two sessions of this specialized training is designed to introduce the Sea Scout Manual --not to give detailed instruction in any one phase of the program.

SEA SCOUTING IDEALS (15 MINUTES)

Welcome Aboard: Have everyone open their Sea Scout Manual to page v. Acquaint them with the ideals of Sea Scouting.

The purpose of Sea Scouting is to instill in young men and women a code of ethics. The lure of the sea and the seagoing program itself are designed to attract and hold them, while the character building and citizenship training elements take effect. Use these key questions to initiate discussion of this vital objective:

1. What is the purpose of Sea Scouting?
2. How can the codes, mottos, pledges, and promises on the inside cover, and on pages iv, and 4-10 thru 4-11 of the Sea Scout Manual, help accomplish that purpose?

SHIP ORGANIZATION AND LEADERSHIP (30 MINUTES)

Ship Organization (10 minutes): Using the chart on page 8 explain the organizational structure of a Sea Scout ship. The step-by-step outline in the Sea Scout Manual will be more helpful if you start with the National office and end up with the Sea Scouts. Answer any questions and encourage discussion.

National and Local Terminology (5minutes): Have everyone read the information on page 7. Then discuss the subject to bring about a clear understanding of the need for standard terminology in Venturing. Point out that the difference in titles in no way detracts from the principles that are being advanced.

Leadership (15 minutes): Divide the trainees into three crews, preferably by Skippers, mates, and ship committeemembers. Give each crew one of the reading assignments:

• Skipper's duties, pages 10-12
• Mate's duties, page 12
• Ship committee's duties, pages 13 thru 15

BREAK (5 MINUTES)

Give the group a chance to stand up and move around a bit. Insert some humor by reminding them that you run a taut ship and that she sails in exactly 5 minutes. If they don't want to get left at the dock, they'd better get back aboard before you haul up the gang plank.

QUARTERDECK MEETINGS (35 MINUTES)

Democratic Leadership (8 minutes): Have everyone read pages 57 thru 58 of the Sea Scout Manual and then discuss the following questions:

1. Why should members of a ship elect their petty officers?
2. How do the Skipper and the mate advise and coach the petty officers?
3. How are the objectives of Sea Scouting--building character and citizenship in youth--better served through democratic rather than autocratic leadership?

1. The boatswain presides; the Skipper meets with the boatswain in advance to assist in preparation for it.
2. All petty officers report at every meeting. This involvement of officers is absolutely necessary.
3. The ship program is planned and double-checked under the supervision of the Skipper or designated mate.

Have the trainees turn to pages 58 thru 59, then explain the pattern of meetings and activities in the illustration. Once they understand this relationship of meetings and activities, take them through the planning pattern as follows:

• Collecting activities: Show the best sources of activities by describing and displaying the suggested activities throughout chapter 4 (see page 59) of the Sea Scout Manual.
• Selecting activities: Keeping the activities sources mentioned above in mind, use the illustration on page 60 to show how the October activities are double-checked and the November activities are selected and scheduled.
• The activity committee: Select one activity from pages 60 thru 61 to use as an example. Explain how activity committees are appointed and how they meet to prepare and conduct activities.
• Cruises and superactivity plans: Here again it is best to use an example. Take a highlight activity such as a summer cruise and show how the long-range preparation for it is woven into the simple month-to-month planning pattern. You will find this illustrated on page 61 of the Sea Scout Manual.

Consultants (8 minutes): Summarize the paragraph on page 64 entitled What Is a Consultant? Then on a paper easel or chalkboard, list the names of persons the trainees can think of who could be used as consultants by these ships represented. The general idea is to get them to see consultants as real people available in their own communities. Then discuss how to recruit and involve consultants and express appreciation for their services. Amplify fact that each person is a unique resource; everyone is of value.

SHIP MEETINGS AND ACTIVITIES (20 MINUTES)

The Ship Meeting Pattern (10 minutes):

1. Summarize the material on page 25 and then discuss this subject until you are sure everyone understands the meeting pattern in Sea Scouting.
2. Study the agenda of both the ship meetings on page 26 of chapter 2. Emphasize the following points to help get this message across:
   1. First meeting of the month has officers' reports -- the others do not. Many ships meet weekly -- additional meetings should follow the Other Ship Meetings pattern.
   2. Every meeting except the quarterdeck meeting has an activity.
   3. The boatswain's mate is responsible for recruiting and reports on new members each month.
3. Call attention to the checklist of items for a ship meeting agenda, page 28. Be sure that they understand that this is to be used as a guide for preparing every ship meeting agenda.

At the end of the 5-minute period, have one or two of the trainees describe the activity they liked best. Point out the policy statements on pages vi, 77 - 78, 105 - 113, 352 and discuss them if time permits.

CLOSING (10 MINUTES)

Conduct the closing ceremony with the training staff acting as officers and the trainees as the crew. (Refer to this guide's appendix for suggested script.)

At the end of the ceremony, remind them of the next session and give the time and place. Announce that training certificates will be presented to those who attend both sessions.

SESSION 2 (2.5 Hours)

BEFORE THE TRAINING BEGINS (15 minutes) / (if done on separate days)

Set up the exhibit material and prepare to record those attending on the Training Attendance Report. Everyone should have a Sea Scout Manual so have a supply available for sale or loan.

Greet everyone as they arrive and direct them to the registration table. Give each person a name tag and see that they become acquainted with the others. Call attention to the exhibit and ask everyone to examine it.

OPENING (15 minutes) / (if done on separate days)

Welcome and Instruction: Welcome the group and give brief instructions on how to line up and conduct the opening ceremony.

Conducting the Opening Ceremony: Dramatize the opening ceremony using the training staff as officers and the trainees as the crew. (Refer to this guide's appendix for suggested script.)

Introduction of Staff: After the ceremony, introduce your associates and set the tone for the training experience by reading the following statement if this session is held on a different date than Session 1):

It is important that all of you understand that this specialized training is designed to introduce the Sea Scout Manual -- and not to give detailed instruction in any other phase of Venturing. Detailed information about the program can be obtained by participating in the standard Venturing training series. Knowledge of program and technical skills as applied to Sea Scouting is covered in this course.

ADVANCEMENT AND OTHER RECOGNITIONS (50 minutes)

Why Recognition and Advancement? (15 minutes): Have trainees read page 83 as far as the subtitle "The Quartermaster Award." When it has been read, discuss how they can make the objectives of Sea Scouting effective in the lives of youth. As a means of accomplishing this, use the following questions:

1. How can advancement be stimulated?
2. Why are ceremonies important?
3. What about recognizing the individual talent of ship members?
4. Why is service to the ship and to others an important factor in recognition?

1. It should be understood that those following the Boy Scout advancement plan as well as those working toward Sea Scout advancement should be reviewed by the youth officers.
2. A review for approving the advancement application of a Sea Scout should be primarily concerned with the ideals of Sea Scouting as practiced by the applicant. A brief review of requirements may be made to ensure the maintenance of standards for advancement.
3. It is important the Sea Scout be given recognition at a bridge of honor as soon as possible after that Sea Scout has qualified for it.

PROJECT: To acquaint the trainees with the technical resources related to the requirements, select requirements from each of the ranks and ask everyone to look up the listed references. Encourage discussion and answer questions as time permits. (Prepare for this project in advance by selecting several requirements and becoming completely familiar with the references related to them.)

NOTE: Be ready to respond to questions about whether both male and female sea scouts can earn merit badges, apart from the Boy Scout program.

Optional Recognition Plan (5 minutes): Have everyone turn to page 97 of the Sea Scout Manual. Help them understand this material by explaining what the Optional Recognition Plan is. Call attention to the illustrations of the Small-Boat Handler and Qualified Seaman bars.

Other Recognitions (5 minutes): Take the group briefly through other recognitions starting with the Long Cruise badge on pages 100 thru 104. The idea here is to give them a brief look at each of the awards that are available to Sea Scouts.

BREAK (5 minutes) (or longer, if needed)

Encourage the group to stand up and move around a bit. For some fun, remind them this is not shore leave, and that you are running a taut ship that will cast off in exactly 5 minutes.

CRUISES AND SUPERACTIVITIES (25 minutes)

Superactivity Opportunities (3 minutes): Explain briefly what a superactivity is. Then emphasize the importance of a highlight activity such as a long cruise to the overall program of the ship. Use an actual example from your own experience, if possible.

Superactivity Project (12 minutes): Divide the group into four crews and assign pages 67 thru 69 to them. Have each crew meet separately to review the opportunities listed on its assigned page and then make up a list of actual superactivities that are possible for their ships. Make it clear that the list must be composed of specific activities available to local ships and that whenever possible the names, places, and people to contact should be listed.

Bring them back together to report on their lists. Arrange to consolidate the lists and send a copy to all ships represented as soon as possible after the course.

Planning a Long Cruise (10 minutes): Direct the trainees to pages 69 thru 75 of the Sea Scout Manual. Point out the items necessary in preparing for a long cruise. You have only 10 minutes for this presentation, so keep in mind that you cannot discuss things in detail.

BSA Safe Boating/Sailing Standards (5 minutes): Acquaint the trainees with BSA's Safe Boating/Sailing Standards as found in appendix D. (Make copies to distribute to the trainees.) The best way is to do a "walkthrough" involving them in looking up a subject and having them provide feedback on what they read and found.

Cruise Plan for Sea Scout Ships and Venturing units (5 minutes): Do the same with BSA's Cruise Plan for Sea Scout Ships and Venturing Posts as found in appendix E.

SAFETY AFLOAT (10 minutes)

Have everyone turn to chapter 5. Hand out papers and pencils for a true-or-false quiz. The test is to be related to the Sea Scout Manual and should be handled in this manner:

Following are five questions based on chapter 5. Ask a question and give everyone 2 minutes to find the answer and page reference. See how many can answer them all correctly.

1. The law requires that at least one Coast Guard approved lifesaving device be on board for each person (pages 242-243).
2. When abandoning ship, it's always a good idea to start right out swimming ashore (page 245).
3. Class C fires are electrical fires treated with dry chemicals or CO₂ (page 247).
4. Carbon tetrachloride extinguishers are not approved by the Coast Guard (page 247).
5. The mouth-to-mouth breathing method may someday be adopted by the Boy Scouts of America (pages 248-249).

NOTE: It is imperative the Skipper knows every ship member's swimming ability. Use of life jackets cannot be overemphasized.

RESOURCES (5 minutes)

Acquaint the trainees with the resources listed on pages 381 thru 384 of the Sea Scout Manual. The best way is to do a "walkthrough" involving them in looking up a subject and having them provide feedback on what they read and found.

YOUTH WITH DISABILITIES (3 minutes)

Introduce the trainees to the world of disabilities by illustrating that everyone has a "disability", or at least inconvenienced in some way. Provide the trainees the pros and cons of taking on board youth with disabilities. Amplify the importance a leader's role is in making a positive difference in youth. Provide resources on disabilities the trainees can refer to (within appendix C, and point of contacts with the Council).

SEABADGE (5 minutes)

Encourage the trainees to continue expanding their expertise in this program by participating in Sea Scouting's advanced leadership training, Seabadge. Explain what can be gained in attending this training. List what specific training opportunities are available in the region.

CLOSING (10 minutes)

Conduct the closing ceremony with the training staff acting as officers and the trainees as crew. (Refer to this guide's appendix for suggested script.)

Following the ceremony as outlined in the Sea Scout Manual but for the Skipper's minute substitute one of the following presentations:

1. When possible, secure a VIP from the council or district to give a brief 3- or 4-minute talk. Ask the VIP to extend a short congratulations to the trainees on completing this training. Have the VIP urge them to continue to involve themselves in more training at every opportunity.
2. Following the VIP's message, thank your training staff and then present the Training Certificates to those completing the course. Have a word of individual congratulations for each person to make this ceremony more personal and meaningful.

Sea Scout Officer's Progress Record

Name __________________________________________________________________

Address ________________________________________________________________

City __________________________________ State _________ Zip _______________

SKIPPER'S KEY

TRAINING:

1. Complete the sessions in New Leader Essentials, No. 34-870, and Venturing Position Specific Training, No. 33-491C.
2. Complete the Sea Scout Officers' Specialized Training, No. 25-339.
3. Complete a boating safety course offered by the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, U.S. Power Squadron, or similar organization.

TENURE:

Complete three years of registered tenure as a Skipper within a five-year period.

PERFORMANCE:

At least twice during the 3-year period serve as the Skipper of a ship earning the National Quality Unit Award or its equivalent.

CERTIFICATION:

The Ship Committee Chair and Commissioner must approve the Skipper's application for a Skipper's Key.

_____________________________________________		________________________
Ship Committee Chair		Date
_____________________________________________		________________________
Commissioner		Date

for a Skipper's Progress Record.

SEA SCOUTER'S TRAINING AWARD

TRAINING:

1. Complete the sessions in New Leader Essentials, No. 34-870, and Venturing Position Specific Training, No. 33-491C.
2. Complete the Sea Scout Officers' Specialized Training, No. 25-339.
3. Complete a boating safety course offered by the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, U.S. Power Squadron, or similar organization.

TENURE:

Complete three years of registered tenure in any adult capacity in Sea Scouting.

PERFORMANCE:

Perform to the satisfaction of the Skipper your assigned leadership duties.

CERTIFICATION:

The Skipper and Commissioner must approve all applications.

_____________________________________________		________________________
Skipper		Date
_____________________________________________		________________________
Commissioner		Date

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