Seabadge Advanced Leadership Training

Seabadge is intense leadership and management training focused on the "how-to" aspects of managing a successful youth led Sea Scout program. While Seabadge was developed as an advanced leadership training program for experienced Sea Scout adult leaders the course is open to all adult Scout leaders.  The driving theme for the training is to "Focus on Youth", which makes the course especially valuable for any Scout leader dealing with older youth.  Seabadge does not cover topics like boating, knots, or other program-related materials found in the Sea Scout Manual.

Overview & Purpose

Seabadge is a weekend course that begins Friday afternoon and concludes with a closing ceremony before lunch on Sunday.  Course participants and staff function as a model ship to help participants understand how a ship or youth-led unit should function. The curriculum includes twenty sessions, with established objectives, that are presented in a motivating and informative forum.

The objectives of Seabadge are to:

• • Improve the understanding of leadership, management, and motivational skills among adult leaders.
  • Provide management, leadership, and presentation skills and tools to adult leaders so that they may use and share them with others in their day-to-day Scout activities.
  • Use the skills and tools acquired at Seabadge to improve the quality of the Sea Scout program.
  • Encourage the development of lifelong contacts and sharing of resources by and between course participants and staff.

Participant Requirements

Course applicants must meet the following minimum standard requirements prior to consideration for participation in a Seabadge course:

1. 1. Is a registered adult member of the Boy Scouts of America. 
   2. Has completed the basic training courses for their Scouting position and Leader Specific: Sea Scout Adult Leader Basic training.
   3. Has actively and effectively served in their current registered position for at least one continuous year. An adult does not have to be registered in Sea Scouts in order to attend the course.
   4. Has been nominated and approved by their home council for participation in Seabadge.

Uniform Requirements

Sea Scout participants will wear the official Sea Scout uniforms as described in the Sea Scout Manual.  The dress uniform will be worn for the banquet and graduation.  The work uniform will be worn during the remainder of the course.

Other Scout participants will wear their official Scouting uniforms (official Scout leader shirt, Scout pants, leather or web belt, and official socks) with the shoulder loops signifying their Scouting program.  Each person has the option of wearing uniform short, long pants, or a skirt.

For Councils - How to Host a Course

A Seabadge course can be sponsored by a council, a group of councils or by a region after determining a need to conduct a course.  The host council will:

1. 1. Determine the need for a Seabadge course and assign a professional staff advisor.
   2. Contact the National Sea Scout Director to receive the most current Seabadge Administrative Guide that includes planning guidelines and a course application.
   3. Select a qualified course director from a national list of qualified course directors.
   4. Submit an application to conduct a Seabadge course and a signed Course Director's Pledge to the National Director of Sea Scouts for final approval. The course application should be submitted at least 9 months in advance of the selected beginning date of the course.
   5. Following approval from the National Director of Sea Scouts, each course will be issued a national course number and the course director will receive the most current course materials via CD or by email.

Staff Requirements

Seabadge staff members must meet the following qualifications:

1. 1. Currently registered member of the Boy Scouts of America as a Sea Scout adult leader for at least two continuous years.
   2. Successfully completed an official Seabadge course.
   3. Be approved by their local council to serve on the Seabadge staff.
   4. Agree to adhere to the Seabadge Administrative Guide and Seabadge Instructor Manual when planning and presenting Seabadge topics.
   5. Agree to wear a national standard Sea Scout adult leader uniform and insignia (exactly as outlined in the current edition of the Sea Scout Manual) during the Seabadge course.
   6. Once selected, staff members must review all current prerequisite training materials including; Venturing Leader Youth Protection Training, and Leader Specific: Sea Scout Adult Leader Basic Training.  

Course Director Requirements

In addition to meeting the requirements for a Seabadge staff member, to serve as a Seabadge course director a Sea Scout adult leader must have the following qualifications:

1. 1. Must have successfully completed staff assignments at two Seabadge courses, including serving as a crew advisor.
   2. Successfully completed a National Seabadge Course Director Seminar.
   3. Must be enthusiastic, open-minded, flexible, people-oriented, and committed to implementing the Seabadge course in a positive manner.
   4. Must sign the "Course Director's Pledge".

Course Application Deadline Calculator

 The National Sea Scout Support Committee must receive requests to host a Seabadge Course at least 9 months in advance of the anticipated course date. The earliest course date for applications received today will be: