For years, Wayne Newland dreaded hearing Scouters ask him, “Where’d you go to summer camp”?
Serving in the Sea Scouts program, his go-to response would be, “They don’t have any summer camps for Sea Scouts.”
This year, he’ll have a different answer.
Newland has been working with other Sea Scout experts and the Gulf Stream Council in southeast Florida to put on the council’s first-ever Sea Scout Summer Port. Sea Scouts, Venturers and anyone interested in nautical knowledge are invited to Tanah Keeta Scout Reservation from July 5-11.
This weeklong event will cover seamanship skills, boating safety and Sea Scout rank advancement, plus plenty of chances to sail and operate boats.
“We’ll have five or six days in concentrated learning,” Newland says. “We have the leaders that have walked the walk. I haven’t counted the number of Silver Beavers in our core group.”
Going to port
The summer port has been an event years in the making. Newland, who will serve as the port’s commodore, recruited a team that includes Bruce Rodgers, a Sea Scout Experience Advanced Leadership (SEAL) trainer; Louis McBride, a Sea Scouter and commander of the St. Petersburg, Fla., location of America’s Boating Club; and Sea Scouts adult leaders Michael McBride and David Albury.
“All the stars got together and aligned at the right time,” Newland says.
The event’s leadership team has put together a leadership guide (available on the port’s website) along with a group of instructors who will teach attendees seamanship and navigation skills for advancement. Scouts who attend can also earn the Swimming and Lifesaving merit badges in the on-site swimming pool.
Trained instructors will also show attendees how to keep an outboard motor running smoothly and help prepare them to later get their boating driver’s license.
The port will also provide a small fleet of Sunfish sailboats, kayaks and larger boats. The schedule allows for plenty of instruction, time on the water and free time.
Want to go?
If you want to attend the Sea Scout Summer Port, you can find the registration link on the Gulf Stream Council’s website. Registration costs $350 for youth and $150 for adults; prices increase after March 1.
The port website also provides a list of what attendees should bring, including quick-drying clothing, rope, a three-ring binder and swim gear.
Units that attend will have the opportunity to bring their vessel.
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