Central to the exhibit was a miniature 20 by 30 foot ocean, complete with radio-controlled boats, buoys, bridges and dinosaur-invested islands—all designed to give landlubbers their first navigational thrill.

"There's a strong tie-in between Sea Scouts and the Coast Guard's heritage and interest in the sea," said Patton, also an Eagle Scout. "You can see these Scouts' enthusiasm and their motivation toward their goals."

Supported by Coast Guard personnel, reservists and moms and dads of all stripes, Sea Scouts was launched in 1912 and now has more than 12,000 youth members nationwide. They are organized in units called "Ships"—700 of them, each consisting of "crews." They're afloat in nearly every state, not only coastal, but anywhere you'll find a lake, pond or river. There's even a ship in Virginia focused on scuba diving in caves.

"Ships" typically have a monthly aquatic activity, and their watercraft run the gamut, from small motorboats, to day sailers, to 46-foot sloops and larger craft. They also have social events that other youths have in Scouting's teen-oriented Venturing movement: bowling, parties, movies and more.

Cmdr. Everett Rollins on active duty with the Coast Guard is the head of the Coast Guard contingent working the Jamboree. He has 55 active and reserve Coast Guard members on staff—23 of them Eagle Scouts and 1 Sea Scout Quartermaster—representing 24 different commands nationwide. Quartermaster is the Eagle-equivalent top rank for Sea Scouts youths.

"We teach Sea Scouts the same skill as we do first year Coast Guard enlisted personnel," said Rollins. "After reaching the Quartermaster rank, a Sea Scout can enter the Coast Guard as an E3. There's a natural combination."

According to Ron Sunker, of Kingwood, Texas, Skipper of the Houston Sea Scouts, there are 40 or more Sea Scouts working at the Jamboree. Sunker has 18 boys and girls in his Ship, and they sail in Galveston Bay. Currently, he has one "graduate in the Naval Academy, one in the Air Force Academy and one in the Corp at Texas A&M set to graduate and go to flight school at Pensacola in the Navy." Sunker started as a Sea Scout at age 14, 40 years ago in Southern California and has been involved ever since.

Gary Cutter of Chaptico, Md., 18 years old, became interested in Sea Scouts through the Boating Safety Course offered by the Coast Guard Auxiliary. "In Sea Scouts, I've learned to work with everybody. I've learned a lot of people skills—with other boys and young women," he said.

There are 28 registered Sea Scouts in Cutter's Ship, and they sail the Chesapeake on weekends and take to the high seas for the high adventure trips, including up to Maine and down to the Caribbean. For their long cruises they have a 46-foot Morgan schooner, as well as various powerboats and small board boats. Gary is a third year student at the Virginia Military Institute and plans on attending officer training for the Coast Guard in New London, Connecticut.

Cristyn Johnson, of Columbia, Maryland, is the Boatswain in her Ship. Seventeen years old and 130 pounds at 5-feet 3 inches, she's a typical example of a Sea Scout: dedicated and full of energy. "I bounce between Sea Scouting and my music: high school marching band, concert band, wind ensemble, and the all-state band. I've also done a long cruise from Miami to Key West—just eight of us on a 44-foot cutter rig. I love the water!"

She added, "I like Sea Scouts because of the people. I've met so many new people here, and I can already tell that I'll build relationships for life."

At the other end of the spectrum there's 20-year-old Boatswain Mate Sean Weller, from Los Angeles. Five foot ten and 200 pounds, he loves the seafaring challenge and the social aspects of Sea Scouts. "I've been a Sea Scout for five years and achieved the top rank of Quartermaster. I have also learned a lot of social skills, especially about girls. We're the best kept secret in Scouts."

"My message to the Sea Scouts is to stick with it. They may not realize it today, but the benefits of the program will pay off 5, 10, 15 years from now," concluded Patton.

Boy Scouts of America — Official Jamboree Site http://www.bsajamboree.org