Tuesday was the “Lottery”. Do not believe this term. Unlike Philmont or OKPIK where you enter your troop and then it goes through a lottery process at a later date, the SeaBase “lottery” was first come first serve. Should not have been listed as a lottery.

We had hoped to get the 20 person tall ship, but it was gone in the first 10 minutes. We were able to get 3 ships for Coral Reef sailing. While it would have been really fun to have everyone on the same ship, this will still be a great trip! Barely a year away.

While there may be many good books to use while at SeaBase, I have found “Cruising Guide to the Florida Keys” by Frank Papy to be a very useful book.

If you are interested in purchasing this book, please consider using the link below. It takes you to our fundraising link for Amazon on our troop website. If you search for the book through our link, Amazon will pay us a small amount (it doesn’t cost you any more).

Amazon link

Follow the link to an Exel spreadsheet for the budget worksheet we use for planning for SeaBase.

We try and keep this all inclusive except for souveneirs.

This includes the cost of fuel to the airport, parking, airplane ticket, rental car, fuel for the vehicles, meals down and back, patches, etc.

SeaBase budget

General Information:

1.  The airline tickets are purchased.  You will be flying in and out of Chicago.  you leave 3:20 and arrive in Miami at 7:30 on June 15th.
2.  Hotel arrangements have ben made at the Best Western near the ariport for 2  rooms
3.  The 2 leaders have cars rented from the airport to Seabase (and returning the car to Marathon airport while on ship) and picking up the car at the Marathon airport and returning to to Miami. 

4.  You leave Miami at 12:40 and arrive in Chicago at 2:55 on June 22.
5.  I will send out the electronic plane tickets and hotel reservation numbers in the near future to the adult leaders.
6.  Anyone over 18 MUST have a legal photo ID.  It is suggested all youth bring a school photo ID.

a few items:
Plan to fly in your CLASS A  Uniform. It looks good, and in general, we have ben treated better in teh airport and through security when we are wearing CLass A’s.   You also need to  wear your Class A shirt while on base.

You are responsible for cosst for any items that you check on the airplane.  You have minimal items that you will take on the ship so everything should fit in a carry on bag.
Food on the way down and back is covered.

It takes about 2 hours from your hotel to Seabase, you cannot arrive before 1.
On the way down to Seabase, stop and eat in Key Largo as you enter the Keys.  There is next to nothing for eating places after that.
Don’t miss the Hurricaine memorial (mile marker 81.5) and the Fishing shop just after Islamorado.

You MUST  bring a copy of your CURRENT medical form – all 4 sections MUST be filled out.  If you don’t, they will make you do a VERY expensive physical on base before leaving. 

Don’t forget you need a National tour Permit.

At least one adult MUST have Wilderness First Aid within the last 2 years.  This is a new requirement in the last few years.

All registered adults must have completed the BSA Youth Protection Training or Venturing Youth Protection Training. (This is required for the National Tour Plan.)  They also need to have Safety Afloat and Swim Defense.  These are available online and don’t take a lot of time to complete.

The adult leaders should have 2 copies of all documents (strange things happen when you fly and things get lost)  – crew roster, national tour permit, physical forms, etc.  They will be sent these forms when the Scout office receives them.

Swimming Ability

All participants (

both youth and adults)

are required to pass the standard BSA swim test before arriving at Sea Base: jump feet first into water over your head, swim 75 yards in a strong manner using a forward stroke, turn over, swim 25 yards on your back using a resting back stroke, float motionless on your back. Because of the nature of our programs, all participants should be comfortable in the water.

All participants must take a BSA swim review upon arrival to ensure swimming ability

.

Storage:

Each sailing and Out Island crew is provided a 2x3x4 storage accommodation. You must bring a lock for your crews locker. Personal vehicles are another way to store equipment. If you are arriving by other modes of transportation, plan your “what to bring” items very carefully, and only bring what is necessary

BRING

• 1 Pad lock per crew for storage – 1 needed for the entire crew
• 1 Set Field or Activity uniforms
• 2 T-shirts
• Lightweight rain gear (optional)
• Sunglasses with strap (Polarized are best)
• 1 pair of inexpensive water shoes (Coral Reef and Eco Adventures)
• 16 oz of non-oily, non-aerosol, waterproof, SPF 50+ sunscreen lotion
• 1 pair of shorts
• Pants, long-sleeve shirt & light jacket (December & Spring) optional
•  Toiletry kit
• Wide brimmed hat
• 1-2 pair of Socks
• Large-mouth water bottle with plastic clip, (If you like coffee, a mug in addition is good)
• One sheet or light blanket (summer) or warm blanket or a sleeping bag (winter and spring)
• Sleeping pad  Backpacking type
• 1-2 Swimsuit (modest style)
• 1 towel and a small pillow
• Insect repellant
• Prescription Medication
• Proof of age/photo ID
• Copy of Medical Insurance information

DO NOT BRING

• MP3/iPod/video game player
• Fireworks
• Skateboards

OPTIONAL ITEMS

• Hawaiian style shirt (Luau)
• Camera (waterproof if possible)
• Personal snorkel gear
• Extra money ($100-$125)
• Bonine/dramamine (for seasickness)
• (crew photo – $6 per copy)

Remember all of the gear (except sleeping bag, and towel) you bring onto the ship MUST fit inside the 1’x1’x2′ bag they issue you at Seabase.

An expedition to SeaBase takes a lot of hard work and planning.  While we have meetings to try and get information out to everyone and answer questions; sometimes it doesn’t work.  My hope is that this area will be a resource for questions, concerns, issues or just general discussion about previous/current/or future treks.