SSS 669 "Steeves" Home Page - How to Join - Photographs - Links

	Sea Scout Ship Steeves #669 Santa Cruz, California How to Join The Steeves Crew

Who We Are

Running a Sea Scout program with a ship like Sea Scout Ship #669, "Steeves", requires the support of the community and the maritime industry. It also requires strong Scout leaders and crew members who are eager and willing to learn and grow as members of the Sea Scouts.

Sea Exploring Activities Inc.(S.E.Y.A.) is a private non-profit organization based in Santa Cruz California who own and sponsor the SSS Steeves, Sea Scout Ship #669.

We accept tax deductible donations in many forms. Find out more about how you can support us through our donation program on our Donation Page.

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What Does it Mean to Be a Sea Scout

Sea Scouting is adventure on sea and land -- for you. Sea Scouting is a co education program offered to young adults between the ages of 14 and 21. It's a chance to learn and have fun at the same time.

Sea Scouting is organized to promote better citizenship and to improve members' boating skills and knowledge through instruction and practice in water safety, boating skills, outdoor, social, and service experiences, and knowledge of our maritime heritage.

As a Sea Scout you will learn to keep a ship in shape. You will cruise local waters and go on long cruises far from home. You will learn to take care of ships and boats. You will be active in social events, tours, excursions, and seamanship contests. You will also have a chance to develop maritime skills that may lead to careers in the maritime industry later on.

Most Sea Scouting units are called "ships" In Santa Cruz, California, our Sea Scout unit is named after our ship, Ship #669 "Steeves". Some units also have sailboats or small power vessels for learning to sail and handle small boats. In Santa Cruz, our unit has two small boats. Every member has a change to try his hand at the helm, and to perform all of the other duties of a skilled maritime crew. All members are taught safe and proper methods of handling boats and ships. Sea Scouts also learn the meaning of buoys and lights, how to take advantage of wind and tide, and how to drop anchor or approach a dock. Day, weekend, and long cruises are held for all ship members.

Every ship or boat owner takes pride in the condition of her or his boat. Each season she or he sands, scrapes, caulks, and paints until the boat is trim and "shipshape". Sea Scout vessels are no exception. A significant part of our Sea Scouting program is teaching and learning methods of ship and boat maintenance.The "Steeves crew centers a significant part of it's program around maintaining their ship's floating equipment. You will learn all facets of marine maintenance, including learning what it takes to keep the Steeves twin Gardner diesel engines running. The crew of the Steeves holds regular, meetings every other week on board the Steeves.

Swimming, lifesaving, first aid, Coast Guard Auxiliary Sailing and Seamanship, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation courses are taught by our own officers, or by members of the Coast Guard Auxiliary. The state safe boating course is also offered by many ships. These courses are open to the public.Occasionally movies are shown, contests between crews are held, or inter-ship visits are arranged.

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The Skills We Teach:

Sailing, cruising
Marlinespike seamanship -- use of line, knots and splicing
Piloting -- learning the aids to navigation, reading charts
Rules of the Road Small Boat handler
Radio -- qualify for Marine radiotelephone F.C.C. operator license
Boat maintenance
Engines -- maintenance of inboard and outboard engines
Maritime careers
Electricity
Weather
Sailing -- technique and parts of the boat
Boats -- identification of boats, teaching and commanding a crew under oars and sail
Ground Tackle -- anchoring, proper use of anchors, identification and use of
fittings on board
Galley -- learning to prepare food and to buy provisions for a long cruise
Safety -- fire, man overboard, etc.
Sea History
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
State Safe Boating course
First Aid
Swimming and Lifesaving

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Contact Us Now to Join:

If you meet the above criteria, and are interested in joining the crew of the "Steeves", just contact us at the at our Santa Cruz, California e-mail address. Send your e-mail message to the attention of Jim Bosso, Skipper, Sea Scout Ship #669 "Steeves" at jbosso@sbcglobal.net. You don't have to tell us much more than your name, age, and information on how we may contact you. You may find the application form below to be helpful. By completing this form you will speed the process of joining the crew.

So simply send us an e-mail message or complete and send the form below. A member of our crew will contact you shortly.

How to find a Sea Scout Unit Near You

How to get involved in the Sea Scouts if you are not a resident of Santa Cruz County

Find a Sea Scout Ship in your area. Your local council service center can tell you where Sea Scout Ships are and how to get in touch with them. (Look up Boy Scouts of America in your phone book.) If there are more than one Ship in your area, check them all out and decide which one looks best for you. (Most Ships' programs specialize in certain types of boating, and some will be closer to your interests than others.)

Your local BSA council will be happy to help you get active in Sea Scouting.

A wealth of information is available over the Internet at the Sea Scouting web site. The Sea Scouts BSA web site http://seascout.org/ includes program, training, activities, and contact information for your help. It also includes an extensive library of training and program materials and artwork for downloading.Or you can e-mail the National Office at info@seascout.org

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Be a Leader

Questions often asked are, "What about the Skipper and Mates?" and "Do they qualify for advancement the same way a Sea Scout does?" This question calls for a brief explanation of the purpose of Sea Scout advancement and a reminder of recognitions recommended for adults in Sea Scouting.

The Sea Scout advancement program offers ship members a series of progressive experiences in various skills with standards for meeting them. Sea Scouts who qualify receive special badges and awards.

The sole purpose of advancement is to challenge members to engage in activities that will support the character and citizenship objectives of the Sea Scout program.

One can clearly see that advancement is for young adults. However, recognitions are also available to adult leaders. The training and service required to qualify for these recognitions bring satisfying prestige. In every case they require either significant training or a worthwhile contribution to the effectiveness of the Sea Scout program. The following are some of the recognitions available to adult leaders in Sea Scouting:

1.Uniforms and insignia of office are available and recommended to Skippers and all other Sea Scout leaders.

2.Training awards, such as the Skipper's Key, the Sea Scouter's Training Award, the Venturing Advisor Award of Merit, and the Seabadge Trident pin, can be earned by qualifying for special training and service.

3.All Scouters, including Sea Scout adult leaders, may be recognized by distinguished service awards by the district, council, region, or national (i.e. District/Division Award of Merit, Venturing Leadership Award, Silver Beaver, Silver Antelope, Silver Buffalo.

4.The Long Cruise Badge may be qualified for and worn by adult leaders (on dress uniforms only).

5.Adult religious emblems.

6.Special awards (i.e. Whitney M. Young Jr. Award, George Meany Award, William T. Hornaday Award).

7.Order of the Arrow.

8.Standard Ship achievement patches may be worn by the officers and members of a Ship that qualifies for this honor as outlined on the Sea Scout Ship Achievement Score Sheet, No. 28-305.

9.Conservation Good Turn Award patches may be worn by the officers and members of a Ship that completes an environmentally related project. See Conservation Good Turn kit, No. 21-386.

10.Historic Trails Award, 50-Miler Award, Mile Swim, BSA, BSA Lifeguard.

If you are interested in becoming a Sea Scout Leader a member of the crew of Sea Scout Ship #669, "Steeves", just contact us at the at our Santa Cruz, California e-mail address. Send your e-mail message to the attention of Jim Bosso, Skipper, Sea Scout Ship #669 "Steeves" at jbosso@sbcglobal.net. . You don't have to tell us much more than your name, and information on how we may contact you. You may find the application formbelow to be helpful. By completing this form you will speed the process of joining the crew.

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Application Form

Please complete the blanks in the form below to apply for youth or adult membership in the Sea Scouts as a member of the crew of Sea Scout Ship #669, "Steeves". If you prefer, you may instead send us an e-mail message at the address on the bottom of this page.