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Sea Scouts

 The S.E.S. Privateer is the oldest continuous operating Sea Scouting Program in the United States. As a Boy Scouts of America Exploring Program established in 1923, and chartered by the Chicago Yacht Club, Privateer celebrated its 86th anniversary this past year!

No previous Scouting or sailing experience is required to be associated with the Privateer Sea Scouting Program. Our program is committed to teaching young men and women between the ages of 14 and 21 the general life skills associated with sailing including responsibility, respect for the environment, team work, decision making, problem solving and self reliance. We are proud to be among the very few Sea Scouting organizations which are also committed to developing sailboat racing skills. Below is a brief overview, and summary of some accomplishments associated with the Privateer Sea Scouts Program. 

Over the years we have had 25 young adults associated with the program. The youth come from all walks of life: urban, suburban, a wide variety of economic backgrounds, ethnically diverse and all very interested in the unique experiences associated with the sailing and racing experience. The program has really offered these youth considerable opportunity for learning, adventure, leadership and social development. 

Skills development has been very much "on-the-job" and includes boat repair, general boat maintenance, boating safety, and fundamental and advanced sailing/racing skills.

Over the years, the youth have undertaken a wide variety of boat maintenance/reconstruction projects which have developed the skills of fiberglass, mechanical, electrical and cosmetic repair; soft parts of the deck have been removed/repaired, new deck hatches installed, jib tracks removed/reseated to prevent deck water permeation, application of Awlgrip, deck resurfacing, rewiring, basic engine maintenance, etc. Over the past year alone, it is estimated that the youth have put in about 200+ hours of boat maintenance and this will certainly serve them well as they continue their participation in the boating community.

This past year we were pleased to sponsor a very well attended "Navigation in Local Waters" and Illinois Boating Safety courses. This was particularly effective in developing an understanding of charting/navigation and the essentials of safety and "rules of the road".

Many of the youth also volunteer to assist with the North American Challenge Cup which is the national regatta for disabled; the youth serve as dock hands and able bodied sailors.

On the water, we work with the youth to teach them the very basics of boat handling (e.g. line toss, cleating, knots, etc) up through more advanced skills which include sail trim, tactics, helming, navigation, etc. It is felt that we've also made an important contribution to youth development by working with them to understand the social protocol associated with sailing e.g. proper attire, courtesy/respect and teamwork.

This past season we participated in races and it's estimated that the youth logged about 350 race related sailing hours. We participated in three port-to-port races the Mackinac race, the major regattas including the NOOD and Verve Cup, several of the course races and an occasional Wednesday evening "beer can" race. Importantly, small boat sailing skills were also developed via the two days of instructional sailing required prior to participation in the Smith Regatta. This year the CYC took 1st Place.

Operationally we use one boat as a sailing platform for the Privateer program. The boat generally carries a crew of 8 to 13 and there is roughly a 20/80 adult/youth ratio. Typically, the new youth will begin by assuming a basic responsibility; the more experienced youth and adults will work with the less experienced sailors to develop skills so that youth may rotate or "graduate" to other positions of responsibility. Now, possibly you are imagining a highly structured program with plenty of controls while under sail but we can assure you that we too have the same moments of frustration, screaming, and the occasional chaos often associated with sailing/racing! However, with a strong sense of safety and team oversight we always seem to come through the races with a good set of memories and skills development.

To Learn more about the Thomas R. Smith Sea Scouts regatta, which will be held July 11, 2010 CLICK HERE

Sea Scout Chairman
Lloyd Karzen