|
 ORIGINS:
Sea Scouting in America was founded in 1912 by Arthur A.
Carey. Carey's
pamphlet Cruising for Sea Scouts was the first
program literature and the program was the first older boy
option offered American Scouts.
DEVELOPMENT: In 1917 James Austin Wilder was made
Director of the Department of Sea Scouting. As the
first Chief Sea Scout, he organized Sea Scout units info a national organization
that made Sea Scouting more visible. Wilder
was responsible for the development of the first Sea Scout
Manual in 1919.
EARLY YEARS: Sea Scout troops were similar to Boy
Scout troops. They wore khaki uniforms, subscribed
to the Scout Oath and law and passed the Tenderfoot
requirements. Sea Scouts had to be at least 15 years old
and weigh at least 112 pounds. Gradually the program
took on a more nautical character. Units were called
ships. The age-old organization of skippers, mates,
boatswains, coxswains and crews began to be used.
SEA
EXPLORING ERA: In May 1949, the National Executive Board
made sweeping changes in the older-boy program. This revision of Senior Scouting
recognized as Explorers all young men who were 14 years of
age or older and registered with the Boy Scouts of
America. So, on September 1, 1949, the Sea Scouts
officially became Sea Explorers. This was primarily a
change in terminology since the old Sea Scout program
continued much the same is it had in the past. In 1972,
Sea Exploring (along with all other phases of Exploring)
officially became coed.
VENTURING ERA: In 1998, the Boy Scouts of America
split up the Exploring program and Sea
Exploring was placed in the Venturing Division and
renamed Sea Scouts. |
