Fly south for the winter: Attend a Florida Sea Base training conference

florida-sea-base-conference-centerEach year about this time, when you ask yourself where you put the ice scraper and snow shovel, is when a trip to Florida sounds really nice.

Don’t just daydream about the Florida Keys; take a trip there that will benefit you and your Scouts.

Head to the beautiful — and warm! — Florida Sea Base in January for volunteer training conferences taught by experienced Scouters. You’ll learn what you need to energize your pack, troop, crew, district and council, and you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy the activities and weather (January highs: mid-70s, lows: mid-60s) that make the Florida Keys a popular vacation destination.

The two-week training season includes conferences held Jan. 8 to 14 and Jan. 15 to 21. Learn more in this flier and register here.

The basics

  • Who: Scouters and, if they choose, their spouses
  • What: Sessions include:
    • The Council/District Training Committee
    • Key Concepts of Commissioner Service in Scouting’s Second Century
    • The Mechanics of Training
    • Cub Scouting
    • Boy Scouting
    • Venturing
    • Disabilities Awareness
    • Advancement
  • When: Jan. 8 to 14 or Jan. 15 to 21 (sessions vary by week)
  • Where: Florida Sea Base, Islamorada, Fla.
  • Why: To improve your ability to serve our youth in Scouting
  • How much: $495 per participant, which includes: housing, meals, snacks, bedding and towels, meeting facilities, course materials, and a sunset cruise (weather permitting). $300 per spouse not attending the conference.

Register and learn more by checking out this PDF.

More facts

  • The conferences are robust but leave plenty of free time to explore the Florida Keys.
  • Conferences are taught in standalone modules, meaning you can mix and match to create a schedule that most benefits you. Do you wear many hats in Scouting? Then create a schedule that includes sessions on both Cub Scouting and Boy Scouting.
  • Any Scouter — newbie or veteran — in any program is welcome. You’ll take home a broader view of all that Scouting has to offer.
  • Although Scout uniforms are always appropriate attire at the conference, the dress code is “Keys casual.” Translation: Pack your shorts, floral-print shirts and flip-flops.

About Bryan Wendell 3282 Articles
Bryan Wendell, an Eagle Scout, is the founder of Bryan on Scouting and a contributing writer.