2009 Florida Sea Base Council Contingent

“High Adventure on the Ocean” 

DATES: Leave - Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Arrive home - Friday, June 26, 2009

                   Leader and Scout slots still open! + One entire Coral Reef Crew!

WHAT IS SEA BASE?

It the Boy Scouts of America’s National High Adventure Base providing various ocean adventures for Scout and leaders.

Greater Pittsburgh Council reserves spaces for several crews within the three programs at the Florida High Adventure Sea Base.  A crew is made up of 6-8 eight participants including two leaders.

THREE EXCITING ADVENTURES

CORAL REEF SAILING – A sailboat is your home for six days as you sail down the Atlantic side of the Florida Keys. Along the way you will snorkel at some of most beautiful Coral Reefs in the Western Hemisphere. The crews will eat and sleep on the boat. The trip will include a marina stop and a full day in Key West, FL. Fishing, swimming, snorkeling, and sailing are the programs of the day.

KEYS ADVENTURE – Based at the new Brinton Center (23 mile marker) for six days your crew will undertake many different adventures including, Snorkeling, fishing, sea kayaking, and a visit to a “private scout-owned deserted island” where only a Scout camp is present. You will be based in air-conditioned dormitories and obtain meals at the Brinton Center’s dining hall. This adventure includes a one-day visit to Key West, FL.

SCUBA ADVENTURE - Your home port for seven days will be the main Sea Base facility at the 72 mile marker. During the week you will make upwards to nine dives, one of which will be night dives.  The crews in this adventure will be housed in air-conditioned dormitories and will obtain meals at the Sea Base Dining Hall. This adventure also includes a one-day visit to Key West, FL.

Special Side Trip- The Coral Reef and Keys Adventure crews will spend one night at “Camp Sawyer” – a Scout camp right on the beach. 

POST–ADVENTURE TOURING:  All crews will visit the “Alligator Farm” in the Florida’s everglades and see all sorts of swamp critters, as well as experience an airboat ride over the swamps. Also there will be an entire “day at the beach” the day before participants go home.

QUALIFICATIONS:  Scouts must age fourteen before September 1, 2009.  SCUBA participants require a VALID SCUBA certification.  There are also specific health requirements.

EQUIPMENT: Sea Base provides all equipment but urges participant to bring their own personally fitted masks and tubes (not included in Contingent costs). NO EXTRA uniforms need to be purchased. Usually, during most times, participants are in Swim trunks and a T-shirt (or Hawaiian Shirt).

COSTS: At this time the expected cost is $1565.  Includes Air fare, transportation, meals, Sea Base Fee, post-adventure housing and attraction fees, Hawaiian Shirt, Patch(s), ID Card, Accident/Illness insurance, Shakedown costs. Camperships RE available from Sea Base. Costs do not include fees associated with obtaining SCUBA certification and/or Safe Boating certification. COSTS MAY INCREASE DUE TO FUEL COSTS

PRE-ADVENTURE TRAINING: There will be several crew meetings and two or more full contingent meetings where parents will be invited. SCUBA participants will need to obtain their SCUBA certification.

APPLICATIONS: Contact Terri Woodings at Bruce McDowell’s Office (412-325-7941)

QUESTIONS: Please contact Council Contingent Coordinator Daniel Fitzhenry (412-795-6153); or GPC, Director of Special Projects Bruce McDowell (412-325-7925).     Also see the Florida Sea Base website.