I'm really pleased to report that Sea Scout Ship 777 held its first real meeting last week.
We have an outstanding Chartering Organization, in our local BPOE, these guys just can't do enough for us. The COR is a good pal of mine who is the treasurer for the Elks, he has two sons that have joined the Ship.
I know nothing about Sea Scouting and the ways of Sea Scouting, but I have my trusty Sea Scout manual and am reading my way through it.
The Sea Scout manual is an outstanding book. Even if you are not involved in Sea Scouting it is worth the $13.50.
I know that we are the only Sea Scout Ship in our Council and Wagionvigil will correct me if I'm wrong but I think we are the first ever in our Council. I only have 28 years in our Council and Wagionvigil is a lot older than I
Some people are asking me why Sea Scouts?
First, some of the Scouts who went to the 2005 National Jamboree met up with some Sea Scouts and were really impressed they wanted a Sea Scout Ship. At least one of them knew that my term as District Chair. ends at the end of this year and he knew that I was going to be free!!
Second, while I'm aware that there are some really good Venturing units out there, when I look at the Venturing program, I see that it is not for me.
Before everyone jumps all over me!! Please let me explain.
Just as there are people who are happy to remain Cub Scouter's and Boy Scouter's who would never be Cub Scouter's. When I read the books on Venturing, I seen that it just wasn't my cup of tea.
Some nasty minded people have gone so far as to say that I'm only doing this because I want to be in a "Beefed Up Scouting" program. I don't see Sea Scouting as a beefed up anything.
Sure I like the idea that there is a uniform, I happen to like uniforms and think that uniforming adds a lot to Scouting -But that's a statement that could open a thread that could last for ever.
I like the idea that it is focused, the youth that join, join having some idea of what we are about.
I really like how well Sea Scouting is organized in the NE-Region, the network is great. The support I'm getting is just outstanding. The opportunities offered to the Lads in the Ship leave Venturing in the dust.
Yes I do know that Sea Scouting is part of Venturing. I have one Lad who has stated that his goal is to become an Eagle Scout, earn the Venturing Silver Award and the Quartermaster Rank.
I'm sure that my pal Wagionvigil has noticed that Venturing numbers in the NE-Region were down (I have yet to check the September numbers) but from August 2004 till August 2005 we lost 10% of our Venturers. OK so some of that was because some Crews that ought never have been Crews have been moved into the LFL program, but it seems to me that something isn't working. But of course I have a slight bias.
Ship 777 has a very long way to go - Where we are this time next year will speak volumes - Where we are in five years time when I hand over the ship to the new Skipper will say even more.