Sea Base Badges, Awards, and Certifications Scouts Can Get At Sea Base

 

Are you going on the Florida Keys Sea Base high adventure? There are a number of awards you can achieve while on your trip!  Here's an overview of the awards that you are very likely to be able to get while at sea Base!

1. Adventure-Specific Awards

These are earned through participation, preparation, youth leadership, responsibility, and positive attitude during specific Sea Base programs.

• Castaway Club Award:
  Earned by Out Island Adventure participants (e.g., Big Munson Island, Indian Key) by demonstrating paddling skills, mastering snorkeling, successfully managing campsite and vessel responsibilities, proper fishing techniques, Leave No Trace principles, navigation, and nature knowledge (e.g., identifying mangroves and harmful plants).
• Cayo Hueso Club Award (Club Cayo Hueso):
  Available for Keys Adventure crews who exhibit a positive attitude, elect a youth leader, complete all base responsibilities, and master program elements including Key West photo scavenger hunt, coral nursery work, kayaking, snorkeling, sailing, island time, and fishing.
• Captains Club Award (Sailing-specific):
  Earned by participants in sailing adventures (Florida, Bahamas, St. Thomas) for demonstrated seamanship and Scout spirit. The ship’s captain evaluates the crew on snorkeling, sailing/crewing skills (terminology, steering, sail handling), fishing, cooking/cleaning/personal care, vessel responsibility, and overall Scout Oath & Law adherence. Certificates are typically provided; patches available for purchase.
• BEC Angler's Award:
  Earned by participants in Fishing Adventures by mastering angling techniques and conservation rules.
• Citizen Science / Marine Eco Expedition Awards:
  Awarded to crews who actively participate in ecological preservation, data collection (e.g., REEF fish surveys), and marine research/STEM activities.
• Duty to God Award:
  Encourages participants to reflect on and celebrate creation through evidence of higher purpose in oceans, reefs, and marine species encountered. Available to individuals and units; patches sold at the Ships' Store.

2. National Aquatics Awards

You can fulfill the practical requirements for these during your trek, which can then be purchased/completed at the Sea Base Ships' Store.

• Snorkeling BSA:
  Proves proficiency in basic snorkeling skills, safety, and comfort in open water.
• BSA Aquatics Awards:
  Includes BSA Kayaking, BSA Stand-Up Paddle Boarding (SUP), and BSA Scuba.

3. Conservation Awards

• S.C.E.N.E.S. Ambassador Award (or Project S.C.E.N.E.):
  Available to any Scout who completes environmental learning activities on their trek (such as waterway clean-ups, marine debris removal, coral husbandry, or fish counts) and presents on the experience to their unit or council. Involves pre-arrival projects, advocacy, and tools like the NOAA Marine Debris Tracker app.

4. High Adventure & Multi-Base Awards

If you plan to complete multiple Scouting America High Adventure bases, you can work toward:

• Triple Crown Award: For participating in three of the National High Adventure Bases (Sea Base, Northern Tier, Philmont, or the Summit Bechtel Reserve).
• Grand Slam Award: For attending all four National High Adventure Bases.

Additional Notes

• Sea Base does not offer structured merit badge programs, but many activities support pre-work on related badges/ranks (e.g., Sea Scout ranks, Venturing awards). See this page for the best Merit Badges to work on at Sea Base.
• You can purchase the patches and certificates at the Ships' Store at Sea Base.