Adult Training

Sea Scout Leader Training and Education

Scouting America 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.

For the new adult leader

REQUIRED: Safeguarding Youth Training

Scouting America requires Safeguarding Youth 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.

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.

REQUIRED: Hazardous Weather Training

Hazardous Weather Training is mandatory for all direct-contact leaders in Scouting America and must be renewed every two years. The 30-minute, free online course equips leaders to identify, assess, and respond to dangerous conditions. Hazardous Weather Training is available at any time online as part of the Training section of My.Scouting.org.

REQUIRED: Sea Scout Adult Basic Training

Sea Scout Adult Basic Training (SSABT) is the first step in training for all Sea Scout leaders. It focuses 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 SSABT online at the Scouting America 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 11/2025.)

Advanced Training Courses

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.

In general are intended for leaders who are supporting not only units but also potentially the district, council, area, regional, and national levels of Scouting America.

Seabadge

Sea Badge Seabadge is an 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.

Woodbadge

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.

Supplemental Training

Introduction to On-the-Water Leader Skills (I-OWLS) Training

I-OWLS 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 (A-OWLS) Training

A-OWLS 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). It also aims to teach adult leaders how to support youth as they advance in rank, prepare for SEAL, and conduct quartermaster cruises.

Sea Scouting for Commissioners

This training is intended to be used at a College of Commissioner Science, or a University of Scouting. Both a script and a presentation are available for download.

America’s Boating Club (formerly known as US Power Squadron) Courses

America’s Boating Club is one of Sea Scouting’s partners. Sea Scout adults and youth can take ABC courses to improve their on-the-water skill set. Below is a partial list of available courses.

America’s Boating Course: Meets the requirements for adult Scouting America’s Training Code-P47 and Sea Scouter Training Award requirement #3, and for youth Ordinary Rank Requirement #5.
Seamanship: Meets the requirements for adult Scouting America’s Training Code-P45, and for youth, serves as an elective requirement
Piloting: Meets the requirements for adult Scouting America’s Training Code-P45, and for youth, serves as an elective requirement.

American Canoe Association

The American Canoe Association is a valued Sea Scout partner. Through the efforts of the ACA National Office and the Safety Education & Instruction Council (SEIC), course curricula and educational resources are developed and made available to the general public, instructors, partners, and the outdoor industry.

NauticEd

NauticEd provides comprehensive online and on-the-water education for sailing and powerboating. With a modern, standards-aligned curriculum and a global learner community, NauticEd helps boaters build true competence and confidence on the water. Learn more at www.nauticed.org.

United States Coast Guard Auxiliary

Sea Scouts are the official youth leadership program of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. This alliance seamlessly connects youth (ages 14 to 20) with Coast Guard seamanship, vocational training, and STEM education, offering a natural pathway to careers in the maritime industry or military.

Coast Guard Auxiliary flotillas and divisions can officially charter or sponsor local Sea Scout Ships, blending youth enthusiasm with Auxiliarist experience, and Sea Scouts and their adult leaders are eligible to apply for Auxiliary membership. Once enrolled, they enjoy the same rights, privileges, and responsibilities as regular Auxiliarists. Scouts gain access to the Auxiliary’s extensive seamanship, leadership, and boating safety curricula. They participate in hands-on activities like vessel safety checks, navigation, and emergency preparedness.

Explore more 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.