The Pacific Skyline Boy Scout Council’s “Sea Scout Safety at Sea Weekend” was created out of a desire to improve vessel safety instruction and has grown into the largest Sea Scout maritime safety instruction program in the United States. This hands-on program targets high school aged youth 14 years of age and older to teach them different maritime and vessel safety training techniques that can save a Sea Scout, their shipmate and their vessel in case of an emergency.

2005 - Houston Safe Boating Council – Camp WADE

Camp WADE is a three day camp for kids designed to present the theory portion of sailing, kayaking, power boating and personal watercraft operation in conjunction with the required curriculum for the state boating course. The students will then test the skills that they have acquired on the water.

2004 - St. Paul Sail and Power Squadron – Ron Schara’s Kids Fishing Clinic Water Safety Booth

The booth operates on the “LifeSaver” theme. A visual display shows all types of lifesavers, from the candy type to the PFD type for children, adults and animals. Squadron members, who are well versed in water safety, ask and answer questions about the need to wear life jackets and safety on and around the water. As each child leaves the booth, they are given a booklet that deals with water safety.

2003 - Dubois Area School District – Dubois Area School District Boating Water Safety Awareness Program

The goal of this program is to provide water safety education to every student in the 9th grade by offering a challenging, fun and innovative boating safety program. The students participate in hands-on activities and get instruction, books, pamphlets, written materials and actual “in the water” experience during this program.

The goal of this award is to encourage the development of innovative boating safety education programs directed at youth. For a youth boating program to qualify, it must integrate safety practices into the program and be aimed at students less than 18 years of age. Selection priority will be given to unique or innovative programs with the primary goal of increasing boat safety.

Award applications will be evaluated by the NSBC based on criteria that includes a program description, budget proposal, and availability of the program to be duplicated by others. The NSBC may require an interview with the program administrator before final selection of the award is made. This interview may be in person or by phone.

This award includes a cash prize of $2500 to be used for the implementation or enhancement of a youth-oriented boating safety program. In addition, the group will receive a beautiful trophy and a trip to the International Boating and Water Safety Summit (Summit). The attendance at the Summit, travel, lodging and subsistence based on the federal allowance will be covered for one representative of the winning program.

To receive the award, a representative of the winning program must agree to attend the International Boating and Water Safety Summit. The representative will present a 45 minute session on their award-winning youth program.