1. Key West Sailing Adventure

2. Brief History of Sea Base
The Sea Base began in the early 1970's as a local program in the Florida Keys called the Florida Gateway to High Adventure under the guidance of Sam Wampler, a professional Scouter from the South Florida Council. It offered primarily sailing programs using local marinas and chartered boats sailing to the Bahamas and back. As the idea caught on and grew, it joined the high adventure offerings of the National Council of the BSA along with Philmont Scout Ranch and the Northern Tier High Adventure Base.
In 1979, the Sea Base acquired a permanent facility on Lower Matecumbe Key. It opened for Scouts in 1980 and renamed the Florida National High Adventure Sea Base. As the popularity of this program grew, SCUBA diving was added and in 1984 the BSA received the gift of Big Munson Island from Homer Formby. This undeveloped island offered tremendous program potential as an outpost for primitive camping, Robinson Crusoe style. In 1999, the building of the Brinton Environmental Center began and opened its doors in Originally starting with the Out Island and Keys Adventure programs, later adding the Florida Fishing Adventure, Order of the Arrow Ocean Adventure, the Marine STEM Adventure and most recently, the Key West Sailing Adventure.

3. Brinton Environmental Center, MM 23.8
The Florida Keys
You will arrive to:
Camp Sawyer
33990 Overseas Hwy
Big Pine Key, FL 33043
Driving from Ft. Lauderdale: ~4 hrs.
Driving from Miami: ~3.5 hrs.
Driving from Key West: ~1 hr.
*Do NOT arrive to the Brinton Environmental Center OR Sea Base Islamorada
Florida Sea Base, MM 73.8
Brinton Environmental Center, MM 23.8
Camp Sawyer, MM 34
You will arrive here

4. Arrival & Registration
Arrive at Camp Sawyer between 1 PM & 3 PM
Check in and review documents
Sea Base Staff Member transports crew to Bahia Honda State Park to meet your captain
Begin orientation and load onto Sea Base sailing vessel
BSA Swim Review & Snorkel Lesson
Depart Bahia Honda State Park, setting sail into the sunset

5. Weekly Schedule
The Key West Sailing Adventure is an action-packed week of sailing, snorkeling, swimming, fishing and sight-seeing. This is an example of what your itinerary will look like for your week-long adventure. Please be mindful that all activities are weather and tide dependent. Activities will be planned accordingly to ensure the safety of the crew and vessel.
Crews arrive at Camp Sawyer and are later transported to Bahia Honda on arrival day, after the check in process. Please be sure to arrive between 1PM and 3PM to avoid delaying your sailing adventure.
Midweek, the crew will arrive in Key West, where crews can explore the historical city at their leisure. Attractions in Key West, such as the Shipwreck Museum, Fort Zachary Taylor, and the Eco-Discovery Center, are just a few places crews can visit. Crews will stay the evening aboard the sailboat in Key West, departing the next morning to set sail back towards Bahia Honda State Park, swimming, snorkeling and fishing along the way.
On the sixth day of your adventure, crews will arrive back at Camp Sawyer for a Conch Luau. Crews will stay at Camp Sawyer for the evening in air- conditioned bungalows.
Each night is spent aboard the sailboat. Crews are responsible for cooking and cleaning. Crews will sail towards Key West, snorkeling at protected coral reefs and fishing along the way.
Day 7 is departure day; we ask that all crews depart by 10 AM.

6. Required Paperwork Sea Base Check-In Documents Crew Roster
BSA Health and Medical Records
Unit Swim Classification Record
Adult Leader Training Certificates
WFA & CPR/AED Training Certificate(s)
All copies of forms should be placed in a folder or notebook and submitted upon arrival during check in. Please refrain from using plastic sleeves to ensure a timely check in process.

7. Eligibility Requirements
Crew Rosters completed 90 days prior to arrival
All participants must pass the BSA Swim Test prior to arrival as a Swimmer, evidenced by the Unit Swim Classification Record. All participants must complete the Sea Base Swim Review upon arrival. Non-swimmers will be sent home at their own expense.
All participants must be 13 years of age or older
All adult leaders must be registered with the BSA
All adult leaders must complete the following adult leader trainings: BSA Safe Swim Defense, BSA Safety Afloat, BSA Hazardous Weather, BSA Youth Protection. Please provide copies of certificates upon arrival
Sea Base participants should meet the BSA Height and Weight Guidelines. Exceptions may be made for individuals who do not exceed the BSA H&W Guidelines by more than 20 pounds. To receive an exception, the participant must provide a letter from their physician stating that they are in good health and are approved for participation. No participant, regardless of height, may weigh more than 295 pounds.
At least one adult leader per crew must have Wilderness First Aid and CPR/AED certifications. Please provide copies of certifications upon arrival

8. Maximum Weight for Height Chart
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What if I arrive at Sea Base and I exceed the weight requirements? A: You will not be permitted to participate or stay at Sea Base.
Maximum Weight for Height Chart
Height (Inches)
Max. Weight (lbs.) 60
166 65
195 70
226 75
260 61
172 66
201 71
233 76
267 62
178 67
207 72
239 77
274 63
183 68
214 73
246 78
281 64
189 69
220 74
252 79
295

9. Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What if I cannot pass the BSA Swim Test prior to arrival? A: You will not be permitted to participate or stay at Sea Base.
Q: What if I cannot complete the Sea Base Swim Review upon arrival? A: You will not be permitted to participate or stay at Sea Base.
Q: What if I arrive without a signed medical? A: All medical documentation must be taken care of in advance and signed by a physician. You will not be permitted to participate or stay at Sea Base.
Q: Do crew members need to purchase a fishing license? A: Crews do not need to purchase individual fishing licenses. All sailing vessels will have fishing permits.