Sea Scouts New Zealand

Sea Scouts New Zealand are part of Scouting New Zealand. There are around 900 Sea Scouts in New Zealand in 60 troops around the country.

The New Zealand Sea Scouts use a 17-foot cutter as their principal boat – the concept of having a specific boat for Sea Scouts in New Zealand originated in 1944. The first two boats of this class were ready for the 1st National Dominion Regatta in 1945. The original boats were clinker built and used Kauri as the main timber. The rig was a gunter designed so that all the spars could be stowed inside the boat for towing. These wooden cutters are still in use today including the first built. They continued to be built in the original manner until the early 1970s; around 140 were built over this period. In the late 1960s and early 1970, fibreglass versions of the cutters began to be produced, the hull being identical in shape and size but the gunter rig was replaced with a Bermudan design using aluminium mast and boom. These boats are still in production and around 90 have been built.

Sea Scout

Sea Scouts are members of the international Scouting movement, with a particular emphasis on boating and water-based activities. These activities can be on the sea, rivers or lakes. Sea Scouts can provide a chance to sail, cruise on boats, learn navigation, learn how to work on engines and compete in regattas. Sea Scouts often have distinctive uniforms. In some countries or scout organizations, Sea Scouting is a program just for older Scouts.

History

One of the earliest records of "Sea Scouts" is in Chums magazine which refers to "Sea Scouts" as early as July 1909. These Sea Scouts were part of the Chums Scouts and British Boy Scouts.

Also in the Chums magazine, the British Boys Naval Brigade, later National Naval Cadets, were subtitled 'Scouts of the Sea' from the 14 July 1909 edition and, from the 28 July 1909 edition, 'Sea Scouts of the Empire'. The British Boy Scouts and an original company of The National Naval Cadets were both headquartered in Battersea, London and the 'boys' weekly newspaper Chums was the official journal of both. The National Naval Cadets affiliated with the British Boy Scouts as part of its Sea Scouts.

Sea Scouting (Boy Scouts of America)

Sea Scouting is a program of the Boy Scouts of America for young men and women. Along with Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting, Varsity Scouting, and Venturing, Sea Scouting provides a program for religious, fraternal, educational, and other community organizations to use for character, citizenship, and mental and personal fitness training for youth. As part of this training, Sea Scouts are expected to develop personal religious values, learn the principles of American heritage and government, and acquire skills that will prepare them to become successful adults.

Sea Scouting is the BSA's implementation of the Sea Scout program, initially developed in 1910 by Warington Baden-Powell in England. The founders of Sea Scouting in the United States are Arthur A. Carey of Waltham, Massachusetts, and Charles T. Longstreth of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Both leaders independently established Sea Scout groups in the summer of 1912. This accomplishment was recorded in the inaugural issue of Scouting.

Sea Scouts (The Scout Association)

Sea Scouts were first formed in the United Kingdom in 1909 as a branch of The Scout Association and have been a feature of the Scouting movement ever since. The branch has a particular emphasis on boating and water-based activities, such as sailing, canoeing, motorboating and navigation.

Sea Scouts are aged 10 to 14, and Explorer Sea Scouts 14 to 18. Sea Scout Groups often have younger members in Beaver Scout and Cub Scout sections. Although they are not counted in Sea Scout numbers, they are allowed to wear the Royal Navy Recognition Badge if their Group has that recognition.

Royal Navy Recognition

In the United Kingdom there are approximately 400 Sea Scout Groups and 101 of these are recognised by the Royal Navy. The scheme began in 1919 following the efforts of Scouts during World War I in support of the armed forces, through service as coast watchers, first aiders, fire fighters and messengers. Groups that apply for Recognition are inspected by a Royal Navy officer. Providing there is a vacant position, Groups that pass the inspection and meet the exacting standards of the Royal Navy are awarded Recognition on behalf of the Admiralty Board.