Resources for Leaders
Sea Scout Leader Training & Education
The BSA offers a wide variety of training and education programs designed to enhance your Sea Scout experience. The four levels of the training continuum that make up the graded approach are joining, basic, supplemental, and advanced. Each level is designed for a specific purpose. The joining level is required of all registered leaders; the basic is role-based training; and the supplemental and advanced are more focused on advanced skills and leadership.
To be considered “trained” for one’s position, the leader must complete all training requirements as listed in the Trained Leader Requirements charts found at www.scouting.org/training.
Joining
Youth Protection Training
The BSA requires Youth Protection training for all registered volunteers. It is not optional training but a joining requirement. To take the training online, leaders must go to my.scouting.org and establish a my.Scouting account.
Basic
All leaders are encouraged to complete leader position-specific training before they meet with youth to prepare them for the opportunities and responsibilities relating to their leadership positions. Leader position-specific training is also an opportunity for new leaders to get answers to questions they might have about their roles and responsibilities.
Sea Scout Adult Leader Basic Training
Sea Scout Adult Leader Basic Training is the first step in training for all Sea Scout leaders focusing on the skills and attributes necessary to be an effective advisor in the Ship’s deliverance of service to youth in your specific geographic location. It is intended primarily to enhance individual knowledge of and connectivity with the strategic plan, program and resources while emphasizing personal skills necessary for the development of youth in the Sea Scout program.
Take SSALBT online at the BSA LearnCenter, which is part of My.Scouting Tools.
An Instructor Guide, slides. and the script for the slides (aka “speaker notes”) are available for in-person training. (Updated 04/2024.)
Advanced
Leaders desiring a deeper understanding of the program or seeking additional leadership development will find advanced training highly rewarding. Successful completion of basic training is usually a prerequisite for advanced training. These training courses should supplement the knowledge and skills learned in the other levels and in general are intended for leaders who are supporting not only units but also potentially the district, council, area, regional, and national levels of the Boy Scouts of America.
Seabadge
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.
Wood Badge
Wood Badge is designed for all adult Scout leaders. Its focus is on leadership, not outdoor skills. The first part of the Wood Badge course is conducted in a format similar to unit meetings while the second part of the course uses a unit camping activity as its delivery model. The course content and leadership principles introduced apply to Scouters in all leadership positions and provide a common
foundation of leadership skills to be used throughout all program areas.
Powder Horn
Open to both registered adults and youth who are at least 13 and have completed the 8th grade, Powder Horn is a hands-on resource management course designed to give you the contacts and tools necessary to conduct an awesome high-adventure program in your troop, team, crew, or ship.
Supplemental
Supplemental training includes a variety of courses offered on a district, council, area, regional, or national basis. Courses are designed to give additional information on targeted areas of the program through additional knowledge of Scouting in general, additional skills and roles knowledge, and/or beginning or advanced leadership skills. Some of the information presented in basic training is treated in greater depth in supplemental training courses. Some courses are held on a regular basis to cultivate our culture of continuous learning.
Introduction to On-the-Water Leader Skills Training
This program gives adult leaders an introduction to resources and on-the-water skills they need to assist Sea Scouts in achieving Ordinary rank. The material and training presented in Introduction to On-the-Water Leader Skills (IOWLS) closely follows the Sea Scout Manual, the Guide to Safe Scouting, and the ANSI (Approved American National Standard) standards for on-water vessel activities and are meant to serve as an adult training outline. In addition, participants will be given access to lesson plans and support materials that will enable them or their youth to teach Apprentice and Ordinary advancement requirements.
Advanced On-the-Water Leader Skills Training
This program models how adult leaders can step back from the helm, set performance expectations for the youth in their unit, and safely conduct an effective Sea Scout program underway. It is the mission of this course to model the methods and objectives of delivering the Sea Scout program while underway (long cruise), and to teach adult leaders how to support youth as they advance in rank, prepare for SEAL, and conduct quartermaster cruises.
Power Squadron Courses
The US Power Squadron is one of Sea Scouting’s strongest partners. Sea Scout Leaders are encouraged to take USPS Courses to improve their on the water skill set. Below is a list of available courses. Contact your local Squadron for dates and more information.
America’s Boating Course, BSA Training Code-P47, Ordinary Rank Requirement #5, Sea Scouter Training Award Requirement #3
Seamanship, BSA Training Code-P45, Youth Elective Requirement
Piloting, BSA Training Code-P45, Youth Elective Requirement
Explore other training opportunities at http://www.scouting.org/Training/Adult
Suggestions, Questions, Comments, or Concerns about training? You can contact the Sea Scout Program Support Group at: program-support@seascout.org.