OUT ISLAND ADVENTURE GUIDE
On your scheduled arrival day, you will arrive between 1 and 4 p.m. at the Brinton Environmental Center, located on Summerland Key, 23.8 miles north of Key West. (Be aware that the trip from Miami is easily three hours; from Fort Lauderdale at least 3½ hours. Traffic in the Keys is usually limited to 45 mph maximum.)
Your first afternoon is quite busy. After a brief check-in, your Out Island mate will show you to your air-conditioned quarters, followed by a tour of the facility. Next up, it’s into bathing suits and into the water for your swim review. At this point, you will be issued a mask, fins, snorkel, and a Sea Base dive bag that you will have for the week of your adventure. If you have your own snorkeling gear, you are welcome to bring it with you. We will then provide a snorkel instruction lesson so you are comfortable with your gear. This will be followed by an enjoyable slide show which describes some of the underwater creatures you’ll want to enjoy and/or avoid on your adventure and includes snapshots of some of the fun you will be having during your stay on Big Munson Island.
You will have three full days of adventure on Big Munson Island. You will spend one day on and around the island exploring, snorkeling, kayaking, and shark fishing, among other activities. You will spend another day fishing in a powerboat in the waters off the Florida Keys with the goal of adding some fresh fish or possibly lobster to the menu. (NOTE: To be in compliance with Florida law, anyone 16 years old or older must purchase a fishing license to participate in any fishing activities. See below.) The last full day will be spent snorkeling on Looe Key or the patch reefs called Munson Rocks, working on an environmental project, and will be concluded with a closing campfire on the island.
The Out Island schedule allows individuals to purchase three-day Florida fishing licenses for their adventure. The day in which you will need your three-day license to begin will be two days after your arrival day at Sea Base. For example: Your crew arrives at Sea Base on Sunday, June 1. You will want to pre-purchase a three-day license for the period of Tuesday, June 3, through Thursday, June 5.
The current Florida fishing licenses costs as of July 2010
:
For residents of Florida:
For non-residents of Florida:
-$17.00 for a one year saltwater license -
$17.00 for a 3 day saltwater license
Lobster tags (resident and non-resident):
-$5.00 for one year (
needed for adventures during the last consecutive Wednesday and Thursday in July and August 6th –March 31st
)
Florida fishing licenses can be pre-purchased for the desired dates with a credit card:
By Telephone: Toll Free (888) 347-4356 By Internet: http://www.myFWC.com **
The Florida Fish and Wildlife adds a convenience fee of $3.33
plus 2.5%
WHAT TO BRING FOR OUT ISLAND ADVENTURE
OPTIONAL ITEMS FOR ALL
- Camera (waterproof is optimal)
- Personal snorkel gear (Sea Base will provide it if you do not have your own)
- Extra money ($100-$125)
- Bonine® (for seasickness)
- Skin So Soft lotion
DO NOT BRING
- MP3, iPod, video game, or DVD players
- Fireworks
- Skateboards
- Spear guns
- Scout-inappropriate clothing
NOTE
- Make sure you can successfully pass the BSA swim test.
- Make sure your name is on the crew roster your leader is going to send us.
- Don’t forget to bring a photocopy of the front and back of your insurance card.
SHIP’S STORE
Most of the items on the “what to bring list” are carried in our Ship’s Store with the exception of shoes, socks, and sleeping gear. About $100 to $125 is adequate spending money unless you want to buy a lot of souvenirs.
BEING PHYSICALLY FIT
Every participant in the Florida Sea Base High Adventure program needs to be physically fit for the strenuous demands that will be placed on their body. The Sea Base programs are PHYSICALLY CHALLENGING. Get in shape! Stay in shape! You will be in the water a great deal, so go swimming with your crew at your local pool often. Do some light exercises to increase your stamina. You will be frequently lifting your body in and out of the water to boats and docks. You have dedicated a lot of your personal time and resources to come to Sea Base. Get the most out of your experience by being ready physically and mentally.
All participants must be in good health evidenced by a Sea Base Health and Medical Record filled out and signed by your doctor within the past 12 months. A regular BSA Class I, II, or III medical is not acceptable, nor is another “sports” medical or anything other than a Sea Base Health and Medical Record. The unique tropical environment has very different requirements from most Scouting and outdoor activities. All participants should note the suggested weight-to-height guidelines, which are listed in the Sea Base Health and Medical Record. All programs involve snorkeling and entering and exiting a vessel via ladders rated to only 300 pounds. People weighing 300 pounds or more are not allowed to participate in Sea Base high adventures. Participants not meeting this requirement will be sent home at their own expense.
MAIL
Parents: Do not send mail. Sea Base offers programs to hundreds of Scouts on the sea, on the land, and on the island. We will not deliver mail from home to Scouts unless it is mail of urgency, i.e. glasses, medicine, etc., left at home.