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Youth Awards

Eagle Scout

Quartermaster Award

  1. Be active in your troop, team, crew, or ship for a period of at least six months after you have achieved the rank of Life Scout.

  2. Demonstrate that you live by the principles of the Scout Oath and Scout Law in your daily life. List on your Eagle Scout Rank Application the names of individuals who know you personally and would be willing to provide a recommendation on your behalf, including parents/guardians, religious, educational, and employer references.

  3. Earn a total of 21 merit badges (10 more than you already have), including the following:

    a. First Aid

    b. Citizenship in the Community

    c. Citizenship in the Nation

    d. Citizenship in the World

    e. Communication

    f. Personal Fitness

    g. Emergency Preparedness OR Lifesaving*

    h. Environmental Science

    i. Personal Management

    j. Swimming OR Hiking OR Cycling*

    k. Camping, and

    l. Family Life

    * You must choose only one merit badge listed in items g and j. If you have earned more than one of the badges listed in items g and j, choose one and list the remaining badges to make your total of 21.

  4. While a Life Scout, serve actively in your unit for a period of six months in one or more of the following positions of responsibility. List only those positions served after your Life board of review date.

Boy Scout troop
Patrol Leader,
Assistant Senior Patrol Leader,
Senior Patrol Leader,
Venture Patrol Leader,
Troop Guide,
Order of the Arrow Troop Representative,
Den Chief,
Scribe,
Librarian,
Historian,
Quartermaster,
Junior Assistant Scoutmaster,
Chaplain Aide, 
Instructor,
Webmaster, or
Leave No Trace Trainer.Varsity Scout team
Captain,
Cocaptain,
Program Manager,
Squad Leader,
Team Secretary,
Order of the Arrow Team Representative,
Librarian,
Historian,
Quartermaster,
Chaplain Aide,
Instructor, 
Den Chief,
Webmaster, or
Leave No Trace Trainer.Venturing crew/ship
President,
Vice President,
Secretary,
Treasurer,
Quartermaster,
Historian,
Den Chief,
Guide,
Boatswain,
Boatswain's Mate,
Yeoman,
Purser,
Storekeeper,
Webmaster, or
Leave No Trace Trainer.

  1. While a Life Scout, plan, develop, and give leadership to others in a service project helpful to any religious institution, any school, or your community. (The project should benefit an organization other than Boy Scouting.) The project proposal must be approved by the organization benefiting from the effort, your unit leader and unit committee, and the council or district before you start. You must use the Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project Workbook, BSA publication No. 521-927, in meeting this requirement. (To learn more about the Eagle Scout service project, see the Guide To Advancement, topics 9.0.2.0 through 9.0.2.15.)

  2. Take part in a unit leader conference.

  3. Successfully complete an Eagle Scout board of review. In preparation for your board of review, prepare and attach to your Eagle Scout Rank Application a statement of your ambitions and life purpose and a listing of positions held in your religious institution, school, camp, community, or other organizations, during which you demonstrated leadership skills. Include honors and awards received during this service.

Award Requirements:

  • Ideals. Must lead a discussion on 'participating citizenship' and submit a paper on the 'World Brotherhood of Scouting.'

  • Membership. Attend at least 75 percent of ship meetings and activities for 18 months. Present a talk on Sea Scouting and complete a service project.

  • Special Skills. Complete the 11 special skills required for Quartermaster, which include:

    1. Boats

    2. Marlinspike Seamanship

    3. Ground Tackle

    4. Piloting

    5. Signaling

    6. Swimming

    7. Cruising

    8. Safety

    9. First Aid

    10. Rules of the Road

    11. Weather

  • Electives. Complete four of the following electives: sailing, engine, radio, boat maintenance, electricity, navigation, drill, piloting, rigging, yacht racing crew.

 

 

 

 

National Medal for Outdoor Achievement

  1. Earn the First Class rank.

  2. Earn the National Outdoor Badge for Camping with a silver device.

  3. Earn any two additional National Outdoor Badges, each with two gold devices.

  4. Earn the following merit badges: Backpacking, Emergency Preparedness, Nature, and Wilderness Survival.

  5. Complete a 16-hour course in Wilderness First Aid from the American Red Cross, Wilderness Medical Institute, or other recognized provider.

  6. Become a Leave No Trace Trainer by completing the 16-hour training course from a recognized Leave No Trace Master Educator.

  7. Plan and lead, with the approval of your unit leader, an outing for your troop, team, patrol, or squad in two of the following activity areas: hiking and backpacking, aquatic activities, or riding. Include in each outing a service element addressing recreational impacts resulting from that type of activity. With the approval of your unit leader, you may plan and lead the outings for another Cub Scout pack, Boy Scout troop, Varsity Scout team, Sea Scout ship, or Venturing crew.

  8. Complete at least one of the following:

    1. Plan and lead, with the approval of your unit leader, an adventure activity identified in the National Outdoor Badge for Adventure for your troop, team, patrol, or squad.

    2. Successfully complete a season on a council summer camp staff in an outdoor area, such as aquatics, Scoutcraft, nature/environment, climbing, or COPE.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

William T. Hornaday Award

This Award is meant for All scouts, Venturer scouts.

The William T. Hornaday Award recognizes Scouts and Scouters for their service to conservation and ecology efforts in their communities. There are seven different Hornaday awards with varying requirements. The youth individual awards are based on earning certain merit badges and completing one or more significant conservation projects.

  • The Silver Medal award is the highest possible attainment in conservation for a Boy Scout

  • The Gold Medal is the highest possible attainment in conservation for a Scouter. The gold medal may be considered when a qualified Scouter is recommended by his or her council, by an established conservation organization, or by any recognized conservationist. The nominee must have demonstrated leadership and a commitment to the education of youth on a national or international level, reflecting the natural resource conservation/environmental awareness mission of the Boy Scouts of America. Nominations must be approved by the BSA's national conservation committee.

  • A Unit Certificate can be awarded to a pack, troop, or crew of five or more Scouts when at least 60% of then participate in completing a unique, substantial, conservational project, but the square knot is reserved for those earning one of the medals.



These are the merit badges used for the Hornaday awards:

EnergyFishingNature

Environmental ScienceFly-FishingNuclear Science

Fish and Wildlife ManagementGardeningOceanography

ForestryGeologyPlant Science

Public HealthInsect StudyPulp and Paper

Soil and Water ConservationLandscape ArchitectureReptile and Amphibian Study

Bird StudyMammal StudyWeather



The categories for conservation projects are:

  • Energy conservation

  • Soil and water conservation

  • Fish and wildlife management

  • Forestry and range management

  • Air and water pollution control

  • Resource recovery (recycling)

  • Hazardous material disposal and management

  • Invasive species control



Hornaday Awards:

  • Hornaday Badge - Scout earns three of the bold merit badges, plus two others. Complete a project in natural resource conservation, from one of the project categories listed.

  • Hornaday Bronze Medal - Scout earns the Environmental Science merit badge and at least three other bold merit badges, plus two others. Complete three projects from three separate categories listed.

  • Hornaday Silver Medal - Scout earns all bold merit badges, plus any three others. Completes fourprojects, one each from four of the eight project categories listed.

Young American

Qualifications:

  • Have reached the age of 19, but will not be 26 years of age by June 1.

  • Have achieved exceptional excellence in one or more of the fields of art, athletics, business, community service, education, government, humanities, literature, music, religion, or science.

  • Have been involved in service in their community, state, or country that adds to the quality of life.

  • Has maintained an above-average scholastic grade point average. (Provide a copy of current school transcript with application.)

  • Must provide with the application at least three letters of recommendation from your troop, crew, school, employer, civic, or community leaders.

 

 

 

 

 

International Spirit Award

1. Earn the Boy Scout or Venturing World Conservation Award. 

2. Earn the Citizenship in the World Merit Badge. 

(Alternative for Venturers: Complete the “Understanding Other Cultures” 

requirement of the TRUST Award.)

3. Participate in Jamboree-on-the-Air or Jamboree-on-the-Internet. 

4. Complete three of the 10 Experience Requirements.

 

Experience Requirements 

1. Host an international Scout or unit and plan activities to help you learn 

about Scouting in their country. 

2. Learn about another country and prepare a dinner traditionally served there.

Explain what you learned to friends or family as you share the meal. 

3. Participate in a World Scout Jamboree, international camporee, or another international

Scout event. Share the experience with your unit or at a district roundtable. 

4. Take a trip to another country as an individual, with your family, or Scout unit and

include a visit with another Scout unit or event. When you return home, share the 

experience with another unit. 

5. Organize a World Friendship Fund collection at a unit meeting or district roundtable.* 

6. Earn the Interpreter Strip. 

7. Research Scouting in another country. Make a presentation at a unit meeting 

or district roundtable.

8. Contact your local council’s international representative and assist them with 

at least two items they need help with promoting. 

9. Research the process of obtaining a U.S. passport. Create a fact sheet for your 

unit or district to assist them with requirements for traveling internationally. 

10. Research a region of the World Organization of the Scout Movement.

Make a presentation at a unit meeting or district roundtable. 

* #5 is mandatory

Jimmy Stewart Good Citizenship

This award has been established by the James M. Stewart Museum Foundation with the consent and cooperation of the Boy Scouts of America, Penn's Woods Council and the family of James M. Stewart. The purpose of this award is to introduce Boy Scouts to the life of a great American, James Maitland Stewart. The Jimmy Stewart Museum is offering this award to a Boy Scout or Scouter who has exemplified the characteristics necessary to live the life of a Good Citizen. To earn the award, Scouts are required to complete the Jimmy Stewart Museum quiz, write an essay of not less than 500 words, and do a good citizenship project in their community in honor of James M. Stewart. 

Interested Scouts or Scouters should contact The Jimmy Stewart Museum to receive a copy of the workbook. The price of the workbook is $6.00 which includes shipping. Scouts can send a check in that amount to: 

The Jimmy Stewart Museum 
P. O. Box 1 
Indiana PA 15701 

Once the required work has been done, the application form from the workbook, the quiz and the 500 word essay should be sent to the Museum. The patch and /or medal will then be sent. The price of the patch is $4.00, and the medal is $7.50. Please add $1.00 for each item ordered to cover shipping. Again, a check may be sent to the Museum. 

Jimmy Stewart was born in Indiana, PA and grew up with a background in scouting. He remained involved with scouting throughout his adult life. It is hoped that the values of the Boy Scouts that were shared by Jimmy Stewart will become ingrained in each recipient of The James M. Stewart Good Citizenship Award. 

 

 

 

 

Honor Medal

Award Requirements: 

 

  • The Honor Medal is presented to Scouts and Scouters shown courage in attempting to save a life with personal risk. This award has been presented posthumously to Scouts who have died while attempting to save the life of another. In very exceptional cases the award is presented with crossed gold palms to Scouts and Scouters who have attempted to save a life at great personal risk demonstrating exceptional heroism.

Honor Medal with Crossed Palms

The Honor Medal With Crossed Palms may be awarded in exceptional cases to a youth member or adult leader who has demonstrated unusual heroism and extraordinary skill or resourcefulness in saving or attempting to save a life at extreme risk to self.

Medal of Merit

Award Requirements: 

 

  • The Merit Medal honors Scouts, Venturers and Scouters that have performed some act of meritorious service above and beyond what is normally expected of a youth or adult member of the Boy Scouts of America. Key in the difference between this award and the Heroism awards is that the action need not involve saving life, but must employ some aspect of Scouting learning or skills in the execution.

 

 

 

 

Venturing Summit Award

  1. Participate in at least three additional (for a total of seven) Tier II or Tier III adventures at the crew, district, council, area, regional, or national level. To earn the Summit Award, A Venturer must have participated in at least one Tier III adventure and served as a leader during one adventure

  2. Complete the BSA Mentoring Training prior to initiating mentoring relationships.

  3. Since Earning the Pathfinder Award, mentor another Venturer in the planning and implementation of a crew, council, area, regional, or national Venturing Activity Work with the youth enough to ensure he or she is ready to lead and has organized the appropriate resources, is prepared for contingencies, and has developed an itinerary, conducted training to support the adventure, and mitigated risk before and during the adventure. Participate in the adventure and provide feedback on how the adventure was conducted.

  4. Complete Two of the Following.

    1. Since Earning the Pathfinder Award Serve Actively as a Crew Officer. Once during your term of office, discuss your successes and challenges with your crew president.

    2. Participate in or serve on staff for Leadership Training

    3. Lead the delivery of Introduction to Leadership Skills of Crews for members of your Venturing Crew or another Local Venturing Crew. After leading the training course, discuss with you crew Advisor how you believe you helped build the skill set of your crew and what you learned by organizing the truing course.

  5. Plan, Develop, and Give leadership to others in a service project helpful to a community organization. Before you start a project proposal must be approved by the organization benefiting from the effort your Advisor, The unit Committee and the Council or District Advancement Committee (per local practices).

  6. Complete a structured personal reflection. use this reflection to prepare for goal setting and as part of your Advisor conference. Explore two of the Realms mentioned in the Discovery Award. You may Explore one of the realms twice or select from between two different realms.

  7. Create a personal code of conduct. this code of conduct should be guided by your explorations in the realms of faith, self, and others.

  8. Since Earning the Pathfinder Award, Lead an ethical controversy and conflict resolution scenario with members of your Venturing crew.

  9. Participate in an Advisor conference. As a part of this conference share your code of conduct with your Advisor, and explain how your explorations of faith, self, and others, and your goal-setting exercises, influenced the development of your code.

  10. After you Advisor conference successfully complete a crew board of review.

Able Rank

1. Ideals 

a. Organize and conduct two impressive opening and closing ceremonies for your ship. 

b. Submit an essay of 500 to 1,000 words on how our nation’s maritime history has contributed to our way of life. 

2. Active Membership 

a. Attend at least 75 percent of your ship’s meetings and special activities for one year. Note: Check with your ship’s yeoman. 

b. Prepare and present a program on Sea Scouts for a Boy Scout troop, Venturing crew, Venturing Officers’ Association meeting, school class, or 

 

other youth group. Your presentation should last a minimum of 15 minutes and describe the activities of your ship and Sea Scouts. 

3. Leadership 

Either serve and fulfill the responsibilities of a crew leader or an elected officer of your ship, or serve as an activity chair for two major ship events. Responsibilities should include planning, directing, and evaluating the event. (These events are in addition to the Ordinary requirement.) 

4. Swimming 

Pass all requirements for the BSA’s Lifesaving merit badge. 

5. Safety 

a. Develop and use a customized vessel safety checklist for a boat used by your ship. 

b. Demonstrate your understanding of fire prevention on vessels. 

c. Know the classes of fires and the substances that will extinguish each type of fire. 

d. In a safe place, under adult supervision, demonstrate your ability to successfully extinguish a class A and a class B fire with an approved fire extinguisher. See that the fire extinguisher used is properly recharged or replaced. 

e. Conduct a fire safety inspection of the vessel normally used by your ship or of your ship’s meeting place. Note any fire hazards and report them to your ship’s adult leaders. 

f. Complete the American Red Cross Standard First Aid course. 

g. Obtain CPR certification from a certified agency. 

h. Demonstrate the Heimlich maneuver and tell when it is used. 

6. Marlinspike Seamanship 

a. Complete a back splice, eye splice, short splice, long splice, and a palm-and needle whipping. 

b. Sew a flat seam, round seam, and grommet eye in canvas or sail material. Describe how each is used in construction of and the care of sails. 

c. Describe the parts of a block and explain how blocks are sized. Describe the following types of tackle: luff, gun, double purchase, single whip, and runner. With the help of another shipmate, reeve a double purchase tackle. 

7. Boat Handling 

a. Demonstrate your ability to properly operate a small boat equipped with a motor. Included should be fueling, starting, leaving a dock, maneuvering, and coming alongside. 

b. Know the names and functions of lines used to secure a vessel to a wharf or pier. Understand and execute docking commands used in handling lines on your ship’s primary vessel. 

8. Anchoring 

a. Describe the various kinds of anchor rode and the advantages and disadvantages of each type. 

b. Identify the parts of the anchor cable starting with the anchor and ending at the vessel. 

c. Describe the methods of marking chain and demonstrate that you know the chain markings on your ship’s vessel. 

d. While on a cruise assist in the construction of an anchor watch schedule and stand one watch. 

e. Identify a capstan or windlass and explain its use in handling line, wire rope, or chain. 

9. Navigation Rules 

a. Demonstrate a working knowledge of Navigation Rules, International and Inland. 

b. Explain vessel lights for the following: towing (astern, alongside, pushing ahead, and cannot deviate), fishing, trawling, restricted maneuverability, underwater operations, constrained by draft, and aground. 

c. c. Describe special lights and day shapes deployed on the following vessels: not under command, restricted by ability to maneuver, constrained by draft, fishing (trawling), and sailing vessels under power. 

d. Understand the system of aids to navigation employed in your area. Include buoys, lights, and daymarks, and their significance and corresponding chart symbols. 

e. Read in detail a National Ocean Service (NOS) chart, preferably for the area normally cruised by your ship, identifying all marks on it. 

f. Explain the use of tide tables, current tables, light lists, and how to update a chart using the Notice to Mariners. 

10. Piloting and Navigation 

a. Describe the deck log kept aboard your ship’s principal craft. Keep a complete log for three cruises. 

b. Lay a course of at least three legs and execute it using dead reckoning. 

c. Demonstrate your ability to fix your position by the following methods: taking bearings from two known objects, running fix, and estimated position. 

d. Establish distance from a known object using “double the angle on the bow” and explain how to set a danger angle. 

e. Discuss how GPS (Global Positioning System) operates and the purpose of waypoints. While underway, demonstrate your ability to use a GPS using three different waypoints. 

f. Discuss the method of establishing a radar fix. 

11. Practical Deck Seamanship 

a. Demonstrate your knowledge of personal safety equipment needed while cleaning, maintaining, or repairing your vessel. 

b. Know the names, uses, sizes, and proper care of the common hand tools used by your ship. 

c. Identify and explain the use of the following: thimble, shackle, turnbuckle, pelican hook, and other ship’s hardware and fittings commonly used aboard your ship’s vessels. Describe how each is sized. 

d. Demonstrate proper surface and coating preparation, coating techniques, care of stored coatings, and cleaning of brushes and tools used to maintain surfaces on your ship’s vessel. 8 

e. Explain techniques used for the maintenance, protection, and repair of hulls and decks on your ship’s vessel. 

12. Environment 

a. Demonstrate your knowledge of local environmental laws related to the proper storage, disposal, and cleanup of maritime coating materials, fuels, and other environmentally sensitive materials. 

b. Discuss with an adult leader the dumping of garbage in the marine environment. Review the contents of the MARPOL placard and locate it aboard your ship’s vessels. 

c. Write a 500-word report on a marine endangered species (mammal, bird, fish, or reptile). The report should include a description of the species, its habitat, history, current population numbers, and current steps being employed to help its recovery. 

13. Cruising 

Earn the Long Cruise badge. 

14. Electives—Do any three of the following. 

a. Sailing: While leading a crew of not less than two other persons, demonstrate your ability to sail a sloop or another suitable vessel correctly and safely over a triangular course (leeward, windward, reaching marks), demonstrating beating, reaching, running, and the proper commands. 

b. Vessels: Teach and lead a crew under oar using a boat pulling at least four oars single- or double-banked. Perform the following maneuvers: get underway, maneuver ahead and back, turn the boat in its own length, dock, and secure. 

c. Drill: Demonstrate your ability to give and execute commands in close-order drill. 

d. Engines: 

i. Understand the safe and proper procedures for the use of gasoline and diesel inboard engines, including fueling, pre-start checks, ventilation, starting, running, periodic checks while running, securing, postoperative checks, and keeping an engine log. 

ii. Using the type of engine aboard the vessel you most frequently use, demonstrate your understanding of basic troubleshooting and the preventive maintenance schedule recommended by the manufacturer. 

e. Yacht Racing: 

i. Demonstrate your understanding of the shapes, flag hoists, gun, and horn signals used in yacht racing as well as a working knowledge of the racing rules of the International Sailing Federation. 

ii. Serve as helmsman, with one or more additional crew members, of a sloop-rigged or other suitable boat with a spinnaker in a race sailed under ISAF racing rules. 

f. Maritime History: Know the highlights of maritime history from the earliest times to the present. Include the evolution of vessel construction and propulsion, important voyages of exploration and development, the origin of 9 maritime traditions, and the achievements of notable maritime leaders in U.S. sea history. 

g. Ornamental Ropework: Demonstrate your ability to fashion the following items of ornamental ropework: four-strand Turk’s head, coach whipping, cockscombing, round braid, flat sennit braid, wall knot, and crown knot. Make a useful item such as a boatswain’s lanyard, rigging knife lanyard, bell rope, etc., or decorate a portion of your ship’s equipment such as a stanchion, rail, lifeline, tiller, etc. 

h. Fiberglass Repair and Maintenance: Demonstrate your proficiency and knowledge of fiberglass repair and gel coating while working on your ship’s vessel or other similar vessel. 

i. Specialty Proficiency: Become a certified scuba diver or become proficient in boardsailing, surfing, kayaking, or whitewater rafting/canoeing. 

j. USPS: As an apprentice member of the United States Power Squadrons complete the Seamanship and Piloting courses 

or 

USCGAux: Successfully complete the Coast Guard Auxiliary Weekend Navigator course. 

Apprentice Rank

1. Ideals 

a. Qualify as a member of your Sea Scout ship by taking part in the ship’s admission ceremony. 

b. Repeat from memory and discuss with an adult leader the Sea Promise. Discuss the BSA Mission Statement, the BSA 

Vision Statement, the Scout Oath and Law and agree to carry out the provisions of your ship’s code and bylaws. 

c. Demonstrate acceptable courtesies used aboard a Sea Scout vessel. 

d. Demonstrate the proper procedure for boarding a Sea Scout vessel and landship. 

2. Active Membership 

a. Provide evidence that you are fulfilling your financial obligations to your ship, including helping with fund-raisers. 

Note: Check with your ship’s purser. 

b. Obtain the Sea Scout uniform. Describe the Sea Scout work and dress uniforms. Tell how and when the uniforms 

are worn and explain care of uniforms. 

3. Leadership 

a. Describe your ship’s organization, including the youth and adult leadership positions. 

b. Demonstrate your ability to identify officer and adult leader insignia. Explain the chain of command in your ship. 

4. Swimming 

a. Jump feetfirst into water over your head, swim 75 yards/meters in a strong manner using one or more of the following strokes: sidestroke, breaststroke, trudgen, or crawl; then swim 25 yards/meters using the elementary backstroke. The 100 yards/meters must be swum continuously and include at least one sharp turn. After completing the swim, rest by floating on your back, remaining as motionless as possible. (Refer to the BSA’s Swimming merit badge instruction if you need to improve your swimming strokes.) 

b. Discuss the BSA Safe Swim Defense plan and explain how it is used to protect Sea Scouts and other groups during swimming activities. 

5. Safety 

 

a. Explain the uses, advantages, and disadvantages of the five types of Coast Guard–approved life jackets. Demonstrate the proper use and care of life jackets used by your ship. 

b. Identify visual day and night marine distress signals, and know their location and the proper use for your ship’s vessel(s). 

c. Use the Distress Communications Form to demonstrate the procedure to send the following VHF emergency messages: Mayday, Pan Pan, and Security. 

d. Know the safety rules that apply to vessels and equipment used by your ship, and safety standards in the use of power tools, machinery, lifting heavy objects, and other safety devices used by your ship. 

6. Marlinspike Seamanship 

Using both large and small lines, tie and explain the use of the following knots: overhand, square, figure eight, bowline, two half hitches, clove hitch, sheet bend, and cleat hitch. 

7. Boat Handling 

Demonstrate the ability to use a heaving line. 

8. Service 

 

Log at least 16 hours of work on ship equipment, projects, or activities other than regular ship meetings, parties, dances, or fun events. Note: Arrange for this work through the ship’s officers. 

Long Cruise

The Long Cruise badge may be earned by both youth and adults registered in Sea Scouts. Once the individual has completed the requirements that follow, the Skipper submits an advancement report to the Boy Scout local council service center where the badges can be secured. It is recommended that all Sea Scouts and adult leaders qualifying for the Long Cruise Badge maintain a log of their cruising experiences. This log will be useful for Scout advancement, U.S. Coast Guard licensing, US Sailing certification, and chartering.

A Sea Scout must be Ordinary rank before he or she can start recording cruising time for the Long Cruise badge. The Sea Scout must cruise for two weeks on any vessel or boat provided by the local council or the ship, or their own vessel when authorized by an adult leader in that Sea Scout ship. Each additional long cruise earned is marked by a red arc above the badge, until five such cruises have been completed. Then a single white arc replaces them above the badge.

In the event that it is not possible to make a two-week cruise, a series of weekend or overnight cruises on any boat or ship may be made, provided that the total number equals 14 days. (Note: An overnight cruise lasts two days; a weekend cruise starting on Friday and ending on Sunday will be counted as three days.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ordinary Rank

1. Ideals 

a. Explain the symbolism of the Sea Scout emblem. 

b. Give a brief oral history of the U.S. flag. 

c. Demonstrate how to fly, hoist, lower, fold, display and salute the U.S. flag. Explain flag etiquette and protocols for both land and sea. 

2. Active Membership 

a. Attend at least 75 percent of your ship’s meetings and activities for six months. Note: Check with your ship’s yeoman. 

b. Do one of the following. Recruit a new member for your ship and follow through until the new member is registered and formally admitted with an admissions ceremony, or assist in planning and carrying out a ship recruiting activity, such as an open house or joint activity with a youth group or organization (another Sea Scout ship will not count). 

3. Leadership 

a. Complete quarterdeck training, either as an officer or as a prospective officer. 

b. Serve as an activity chair for a major ship event. Responsibilities should include planning, directing, and evaluating the event. 

4. Swimming 

Pass all requirements for the BSA’s Swimming merit badge. 

5. Safety 

a. Discuss BSA Safety Afloat with an adult leader. 

b. Describe the safety equipment required by law for your ship’s primary vessel. 

c. Develop a ship’s station bill for your ship and review it with an adult leader. 

d. Plan and practice the following drills: man overboard, fire, and abandon ship. 

 

e. Describe three types of equipment used in marine communications. 

f. Demonstrate your knowledge of correct maritime communications procedures by making at least three calls to another vessel, marinas, bridges, or locks. 

g. Galley 

i. Before an activity, submit a menu that uses cooked and uncooked dishes, a list of provisions, and estimated costs for a day’s meal (breakfast, lunch, and dinner). Once the provision list is approved, help obtain the items on the list. 

ii. Explain the use of charcoal, pressurized alcohol, and propane. Include safety precautions for each. 

iii. Prepare breakfast, lunch, and dinner while on the activity. Demonstrate your ability to properly use the galley equipment or personal cooking gear generally used by your ship. 

iv. Demonstrate appropriate sanitation techniques for food preparation and meal cleanup. 

6. Marlinspike Seamanship 

a. Name the various materials used to manufacture rope, the advantages and disadvantages of each, and the characteristics of laid and braided rope. Discuss the meaning of lay, thread, strand, and hawser. Explain how rope is sized and measured. 

 

b. Using both large and small lines, tie and explain the use of the following 

knots: stevedore’s knot, French (double) bowline, bowline on a bight, timber hitch, rolling hitch, marline hitch, and midshipman’s (taut-line) hitch. 

c. Demonstrate your ability to secure a line to pilings, bitts, cleats, and rings, and to coil, flake, and flemish a line. 

d. Demonstrate how to cut and heat-seal a synthetic line and whip the end of plain-laid line using waxed cord or similar material. 

7. Boat Handling 

a. Name the principal parts of a typical sailboat and a runabout. 

b. Name the principal parts of the masts, booms, spars, standing and running rigging, and sails of a gaff- or Marconi-rigged sloop, schooner, and ketch or yawl. 

c. Describe the identifying characteristics of a sloop, ketch, yawl, cutter, and schooner. 

d. Demonstrate your ability to handle a rowboat by doing the following: row in a straight line for a quarter mile, stop, make a pivot turn, return to the starting point and backwater in a straight line for 50 yards/meters. Make a turn and return to the starting point. 

8. Anchoring 

a. Name the parts of a stock anchor and a stockless anchor. 

 

b. Describe five types of anchors. Describe how each type holds the bottom, the kind of bottom in which it holds best, and the advantages or disadvantages of each type. 

c. Calculate the amount of anchor rode necessary for your ship’s primary vessel in the following depths: 10, 20, and 30 feet in normal and storm conditions. 

d. Demonstrate the ability to set and weigh anchor. 

9. Navigation Rules 

a. Explain the purpose of Navigation Rules, International and Inland. 

b. Know the general “Rule of Responsibility.” 

c. Define stand-on and give-way vessels for the following situations: meeting, crossing, and overtaking for both power and sailing vessels. 

d. Explain “Responsibility Between Vessels” (vessel priority). 

e. Explain the navigation lights required for power-driven and sailing vessels underway. Explain what is required for a vessel under oars. 

f. Describe the sound signals for maneuvering, warning, and restricted visibility. 

10. Piloting and Navigation 

a. Demonstrate your understanding of latitude and longitude. Using a Mercator chart, demonstrate that you can locate your position from given coordinates and determine the coordinates of at least five aids to navigation. 

b. Explain the degree system of compass direction. Explain variation and deviation and how they are used to convert between true headings and bearings to compass headings and bearings. 

c. Describe three kinds of devices used aboard ship for measuring speed and/or distance traveled and, if possible, demonstrate their use. 

d. Understand Universal Coordinated Time (Greenwich Mean Time or Zulu Time) and zone time. Demonstrate your ability to convert from one to the other for your local area. 

e. Explain the 24-hour time system and demonstrate that you can convert between 12- and 24-hour time. 

f. Make a dead reckoning table of compass and distances (minimum three legs) between two points, plot these on a chart, and determine the final position. Note: Ideally this requirement should be met while underway. If this is not possible, it may be simulated using charts. 

11. Practical Deck Seamanship 

a. Name the seven watches and explain bell time. 

b. Explain the duties of a lookout and demonstrate how to report objects in view and wind directions with respect to the vessel. 

c. Name relative bearings expressed in degrees. 

d. While underway, serve as a lookout for one watch. 

e. Demonstrate the use of wheel or helm commands found in the Sea Scout Manual. 

f. Supervise and contribute to the cruise log for three days of cruising (one cruise or a combination of day cruises). Submit the cruise logs to your Skipper. 

12. Environment 

Discuss with an adult leader the Federal Water Pollution Control Act as related to oil discharges. Explain what a “Discharge of Oil Prohibited” placard is and find it aboard your ship’s vessels. 

13. Cruising 

a. Plan and participate in an overnight cruise in an approved craft under leadership that lasts a minimum of 36 hours. 

b. While on the cruise, perform the duties of a helmsman for at least 30 minutes. 

14. Boating Safety Course 

Successfully complete a boating safety course approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) offered by one of the following agencies: a state boating agency, the United States Power Squadrons, the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, or other private or military education courses. 

15. Service 

As an Apprentice, log at least 16 hours of work on ship equipment, projects, or activities other than regular ship meetings, parties, dances, or fun events. Note: Arrange for this work through the ship’s officers. 

16. Electives—Do any three of the following: 

a. Drill: Demonstrate your ability to execute commands in close-order drill. 

b. Yacht Racing: Describe the procedures used in yacht racing and the signals used by the race committee to start a race. Serve as a crew member in a race sailed under current International Sailing Federation Rules. 

c. Sailing: In a cat-rigged or similar small vessel, demonstrate your ability to sail single-handedly a triangular course (leeward, windward, and reaching marks). Demonstrate beating, reaching, and running. A qualified sailing instructor should observe this requirement. 

 

d. Ornamental Ropework: Make a three-strand Turk’s head and a three-strand monkey’s fist. Using either ornamental knot, make up a heaving line. 

e. Engines: Perform routine maintenance on your ship’s propulsion system, including filter, spark plug, oil changes, proper fueling procedures and other routine maintenance tasks. Refer to operations manuals or your ship’s adult leaders for correct procedures and guidance. 

f. USPS: Join a local Power Squadron as an Apprentice member. 

g. Boatswain Call: Demonstrate your ability to use a boatswain’s pipe by making the following calls—word to be passed, boat call, veer, all hands, pipe down, and piping the side. 

h. USCGAux: Successfully complete either the Coast Guard Auxiliary Boating Skills and Seamanship or Sailing Skills and Seamanship course. All core sessions, as well as at least three elective sessions, must be completed to fulfill this requirement. 

 

Qualified Seaman Badge

Section One — Aids to Navigation

  1. Aids to navigation

  2. The buoyage system

  3. Use of various buoys

  4. Storm warnings—publications and charts

  5. Other storm warnings

  6. Daymarks on vessels

  7. Dredges, moored vessels, and towing

  8. Daymarks, beacons, minor lights, and ranges

  9. Intracoastal waterway markings, buoys, and aids

  10. Lightships an

  11. d lighthouses

  12. Radio beacons

  13. Government publications—tide tables, Notice to Mariners, etc.

Section Two — Rules of the Road

  1. Purpose of rules of the road

  2. Danger zone, right of way

  3. Sound signals

  4. Lights

  5. Orders to the helmsman

Section Three — Seamanship

  1. Lookout

  2. Bearings, reporting

  3. Taking soundings

  4. Marlinspike seamanship

  5. Types and use of anchors

Section Four — Safety

  1. Necessary equipment

  2. Hazards

  3. Hull inspection

  4. Firefighting

  5. Proper fueling

  6. Life jackets

  7. Charts

  8. Weather

  9. Man overboard drill—class project

  10. Grounding

  11. First aid

Section Five - Navigation

  1. The compass—description and use

  2. Compass boxing contest

  3. Operating by visual aids

  4. Working a course

Section Six — Charts

  1. Definition of charts

  2. Orientation and dividers

  3. Chart symbols

  4. Speed, distance, and time

Section Seven — Safe Boating

  1. Operation

  2. Principles of sailing

  3. Powerboat operation

Section Eight — Operating a Boat

  1. Demonstrate proper operation of a sailboat or a powerboat.

    1. Safety checklist

    2. Emergency procedure

    3. Handling lines

    4. Correct anchoring

    5. Use a chart—lay out a course

    6. Operate the boat in a proper manner and make a correct landing.

  2. Conclusion—Present Qualified Seaman Bar, No. 04053, to those successfully completing the course.

Sea Scout Marksmanship Program

Basic Shooter 

o Complete one of the following discipline requirements. *Note a Sea Scout can choose to complete the requirements in more than one discipline if they decide they want to learn to shoot more than one type of firearm. 

 

 Rifle – Complete the following requirements: 

 Complete the NRA FIRST Steps program for rifle shooting. 

 Using a .22 caliber rimfire rifle, and shooting from the benchrest position at 50 feet, fire five groups (three shots per group) that can be covered by a quarter. Using these targets, explain how to adjust the sights to zero a rifle. 

 

 Shotgun –Complete the following requirements: 

 Complete the NRA FIRST Steps program for shotgun shooting 

 Using a 20 or 12 gauge shotgun, hit 11 or more out of 25 targets in one 25-target group. 

 

 Pistol - Complete the following requirements: 

 Complete the NRA FIRST Steps program for pistol shooting covering both revolvers and semi-automatic pistols. 

 Using a .22 caliber revolver or semi-automatic, shooting from the benchrest position, two hands, at 15 feet, using 9” paper plates or paper disks, shoot 10 plates with five shots on each plate. All shots must be inside a half-inch margin from the edge of the plate. The 10 plates do not have to be fired in succession or on the same day. *Note that by achieving this score, the Sea Scout has also earned the Pro-Marksman level in the Winchester/NRA Marksmanship Qualification program for Pistol Qualification and would be eligible for their award. 

 

 Intermediate Shooter 

 

o Complete the following requirements for the discipline or disciplines you are shooting from the previous level. 

 

 Rifle – Complete the following requirements: 

 Complete the NRA Basic Course for rifle shooting 

 Using a .22 caliber rimfire rifle, A-17 or A-32 target, and shooting from the prone or benchrest position at 50 feet, fire 2 rounds of 20 shots in each round scoring a minimum score of 100 out of a possible 200 points in each round. *Note that by achieving this score, the Sea Scout has also earned the Pro-Marksman level in the Winchester/NRA Marksmanship Qualification program for Rimfire Rifle Prone/Benchrest shooting and would be eligible for their award. 

 

 Shotgun – Complete the following requirements: 

 Complete the NRA Basic Course for shotgun shooting. 

 Using a 20 or 12 gauge shotgun, Trap or Skeet Course, hit 11 or more out of 25 targets two times. *Note that by achieving this score, the Sea Scout has also earned the Pro-Marksman level in the Winchester/NRA Marksmanship Qualification program for Shotgun Qualification. 

 

 

 Pistol – Complete the following requirements: 

 Complete the NRA Basic Course for pistol shooting. 

 Using a .22 caliber revolver or semi-automatic, shoot from the Standing position, two hands, at 15 feet using 9” paper plates or paper disks and shoot 10 plates with 10 shots on each plate. All shots must be inside a 1 ½ inch margin from the edge of the plate. The 10 plates do not have to be fired in succession or on the same day. *Note that by achieving this score, the Sea Scout has also earned the Marksman level in the Winchester/NRA Marksmanship Qualification program for Pistol Qualification and would be eligible for their award. 

 

 

 Advanced Shooter 

 

o Complete the following requirements for the discipline or disciplines you are shooting from the previous level. 

 

 Rifle – Complete the following requirements: 

 Using a .22 caliber rimfire rifle, A-17 or A-32 target, and shooting from the standing position at 50 feet, fire 4 rounds of 10 shots in each round scoring a minimum score of 40 out of 100 points in each round. *Note that by achieving this score, the Sea Scout has also earned the Pro-Marksman level in the Winchester/NRA Marksmanship Qualification program for Rimfire Rifle Standing Course shooting and would be eligible for their award. 

 

 Shotgun – Complete the following requirement: 

 Using a 20 or 12 gauge shotgun, Trap or Skeet Course, hit 13 or more out of 25 targets four times. *Note that by achieving this score, the Sea Scout has also earned the Marksman level in the Winchester/NRA Marksmanship Qualification program for Shotgun Qualification. 

 

 Pistol – Complete the following requirement: 

 Using a .22 caliber revolver or semi-automatic, shoot from the Standing position, two hands with strong side and weak side stages. Note: Strong side means the strong hand, usually the writing hand – grips the gun first and functions the trigger while the weak hand provides additional support. Weak side means the weak hand grips first and functions the trigger while the strong hand provides additional support. 

 

*Note that this is conducted in two stages. Both stages must be completed in the same session to qualify as one completed course of fire. 

Using a AP-2 target at 15 feet – 

o Stage 1 Strong side – fire at 5 targets with 10 shots each in 6 minutes. 

o Stage 2 Weak Side – fire at 5 targets with 10 shots each in 6 minutes. 

 

(A total of 10 shots per target with a possible score per target of 100.) 

Scoring Requirements: 

Shoot 10 targets, 5 with a score of 46 or better and 5 with a sore of 56 or better. 

(Note that by achieving this score, the Sea Scout has also earned the Marksmanship First Class level in the Winchester/NRA Marksmanship Qualification program for Pistol shooting. 

 

 Expert Shooter 

 

o Complete the NRA Rifle Instructor Training Course, the NRA Shotgun Instructor Training Course or the NRA Pistol Instructor Training Course (Sea Scout’s Choice). Upon successful completion, the Sea Scout will be either an NRA Apprentice or Assistant Instructor. 

o After completing the NRA Instructor Training Course, volunteer to assist at two separate rifle, shotgun or pistol shooting activities held by your Council’s shooting sports committee. These can be open shoots held at a camp range, or a District or Council sponsored shooting event for Boy Scouts, Venturers, or Sea Scouts. 

 

 Rifle – Complete the following requirements: 

 Using a .22 caliber rimfire rifle, A-17 or A-32 target, and shooting from the standing position at 50 feet, fire 6 rounds of 10 shots in each round scoring a minimum score of 50 out of 100 points in each round. *Note that by achieving this score, the Sea Scout has also earned the Marksman level in the Winchester/NRA Marksmanship Qualification program for Rimfire Rifle Standing Course shooting and would be eligible for their award. 

 

 Shotgun –Complete the following requirement: 

 Using a 20 or 12 gauge shotgun, Trap or Skeet Course, hit 15 or more out of 25 targets 6 times. *Note that by achieving this score, the Sea Scout has also earned the Marksman 1st Class level in the Winchester/NRA Marksmanship Qualification program for Shotgun Qualification. 

 

 

 Pistol – Complete the following requirements: 

 Using a .22 caliber revolver or semi-automatic, shoot from the Standing, ready, position, two hands with strong side and weak side stages. Note: Strong side means the strong hand, usually the writing hand – grips the gun first and functions the trigger while the weak hand provides additional support. Weak side means the weak hand grips first and functions the trigger while the strong hand provides additional support. 

*Note that this is conducted in two stages. Both stages must be completed in the same session to qualify as one completed course of fire. 

Using a AP-2 target at 15 feet – 

o Stage 1 Strong side – Five shots in 20 seconds 

o Stage 2 Weak Side – Five shots in 20 seconds. 

 

(A total of 10 shots per target with a possible score per target of 100.) 

Scoring Requirements: 

Shoot 10 targets, 5 with a score of 60 or better and 5 with a sore of 65 or better. The 10 targets do not have to be fired in succession or on the same day. 

(Note that by achieving this score, the Sea Scout has also earned the Sharpshooter level in the Winchester/NRA Marksmanship Qualification program for Pistol shooting. 

SEAL Training

Program

SEAL Training is intended to be a leadership course. While it is conducted on board an active sailing vessel, it is not intended that seamanship be taught. Students should have a thorough understanding of basic seamanship prior to the course.

Skills Taught

  • Planning

  • Coordinating

  • Commanding

  • Delegating

  • Preparing

  • Implementing

  • Training

  • Supervising

  • Motivating

  • Problem-solving

  • Communicating

  • Counseling

  • Evaluating

  • Re-implementing

Requirements

To attend a SEAL class you must:

  • Be a registered Sea Scout

  • Earned the Seaman Ordinary rank prior to attending SEAL training

  • Have a thorough, working knowledge of Chapter four of the Sea Scout Manual

 

 

 

 

Small Handler Badge

Section One — Aids to Navigation and Rules of the Road

  1. Introduction to aids to navigation

  2. Buoyage system

  3. Chart symbols and letter designations

  4. Primary shapes for buoys

  5. Obstruction, mid-channel, and special types of buoys

  6. Beacons and daybeacons

  7. Ranges, range markers

  8. Intracoastal waterways, lakes, and rivers

  9. Class projec

  10.  

  11. t—Develop buoy recognition game using flash cards

  12. Reasons for rules of the road

  13. The danger zone

  14. Windward and leeward clearances

  15. Stand-on and give-way vessels

  16. Sailboat right of way

  17. Sailboat rules

  18. Lights required on boats

  19. Emergency lights

  20. Sound signals

  21. Safety equipment

  22. Visual signaling devices

Section Two—Boating Safety

  1. Boating safety and first aid

  2. Checking the hull

  3. Motor size compared with the boat

  4. Fueling—dangers, precautions, and procedures

  5. Loading a small boat

  6. When not to go out

  7. Operating

  8. Distress signals

  9. Equipment

  10. Equipment—anchors, line, signaling, first aid kit

  11. Project — Have class develop a checklist.

  12. Seamanship—Review sea terms (see glossary).

  13. Knots — Have class learn to tie overhand, square, sheet bend, bowline, clove hitch, two half hitches, and belaying to a cleat.

  14. Class project — Prepare to cruise. Have class demonstrate on an actual boat the checklist, and procedures covered in items 1–12.

  15. Types and uses of anchors

  16. Wind and current

  17. Conclusion — Present Small Boat Handler’s Bar, No. 04052, to those successfully completing the course.
    Note: Most of the requirements for earning the Small Boat Handler’s Bar are met by each state’s National Association of State Boating Law Administrators boating safety course. State agencies provide group instruction, as well as online instruction and testing. NASBLA-approved boating safety courses are also taught by the U.S. Power Squadrons and the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.

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