June 18, 2023 –
Fathers and father figures play a large part in building confidence, resilience, and shaping the leaders of tomorrow.
This year, we reached out to some of the dads who attended Sea Base with their youth in our spring 2023 program. We want to share their experience and show our appreciation for choosing Sea Base as a part of their scouting journey together.
Local Friends
“We had a great experience on Big Munson Island. Our scouts were happy to leave technology & modern comforts behind for the week. We rose with the sunrise & went to sleep after sunset every day. Island time became normal, and even the storm on Tuesday was followed by a rainbow & beautiful weather. We also made friends with the local key deer & vaca raccoons.
Our adventure truly renewed everyone’s appreciation for the modern world, and we were privileged to see the benefits of turning it off for only a little while.”
Troop 8 Chatham NJ 4/8-4/14/2023
Paul Harte ASM
Aidan Harte – Star Rank
A Blast for Both of Us
“Felix and I had a great time last week on this high adventure, so I am sharing our story below. I am also sharing a picture of both of us on the day we finally returned from Munson.
When Felix signed up for Seabase last September, I immediately volunteered for adult leader even though water activities are not much of my thing. How cool it would be to go on a high adventure together with a teenager son! I even went to the local pool on a weekly basis to get myself physically prepared.
The Out Island Adventure turned out to be a blast for both of us. Felix enjoyed every moment with his fellow scouts fishing, snorkeling, kayaking together. I checked off multiple boxes on my list, such as catching a saltwater fish and snorkeling in deep water. What is most rewarding is having the many shared experiences that Felix and I can talk about for the rest of my life, including our own roses / buds / thorns, the amazing crew mates, the crab race, the 5.5-mile paddling, and the 5-day survival on Munson Island.
On the way back Felix was already talking about coming back for another Seabase adventure in 2025, after Philmont next year.”
YIS,
Gary
Picture Perfect
“My son Jonah recently completed the Sea Base STEM program and it was outstanding! There were 12 Scouts from our Troop in attendance and 4 adults including myself. Jonah was asked to rank his Sea Base experience and his #1 item continues to be snorkeling at Looe Key.
We got a picture perfect day and Jonah and I were in the water the entire time where he got to see four eagle rays, multiple sharks, many large barracuda, and tons of tropical fish.
The Team at Brinton Environmental Center do a fantastic for our entire time at Sea Base.”
Thank You,
David
Minnetrista, MN
Learning the Ropes
“My son and I had never been to the Florida Keys before so when the opportunity to visit with the Boy Scouts was presented, we jumped at it. It was the best decision as traveling with the boys was a great adventure enjoying the friendship while sharing the same Boy Scout values and community spirit. After a smooth trip to the camp base, we were pleasantly surprised by a team of enthusiastic camp counselors who made us feel at home and showed us the ropes of the camp. The facilities (dorm beds, showers, snorkeling/diving equipment, changing rooms, dining hall, boats) are all well maintained and in good shape. The food served at the camp was also very good and delicious.
We truly enjoyed the experience at Sea Base and recommend this to anybody who is looking to visit the Florida Keys in style.”
Best,
Vincent Chang
A Once in a Lifetime Trip
“My name is John Bame and I am a Scoutmaster for Troop 5 in Madison SD. March 12-18 I embarked on a trip of a lifetime with my troop of scouts and my oldest son James to Brinton sea base to participate in the out island adventure. I was excited and also concerned. Would the trip be worth the expense, the time and the work. We were taking 24 participants on a trip halfway across the nation to a place I have never been. Much to my surprise it was a trip that I will never forget.
As an avid scouter and parent I have seen a variety of programs, counselors and camps. I have seen bad programs and I have seen great programs. Sea base at the Brinton Environmental Center has to be one of the best programs I have experienced. The organization, staff, food and facilities, and programs are top notch. Everyone was so welcoming and willing to help. Things were clean and everyone was cheerful. Staff kept the scouts involved. The dedication from the Brinton Sea base staff is incomparable.
During our out island adventure Alex and Nick were our mates for our joined crew of 16. Words can not say how much I enjoyed both of them. The leadership, enthusiasm, and the way they worked with the youth was out of this world. When times were down and we were tired, there was Alex and Nick to pick us up. They always knew what we needed and were always working to make our experience the best it could be. These two mates made my experience and my scouts experience a once in a lifetime trip. You truly have two extraordinary staff working for you at Brinton Sea Base. I have yet to meet any two leaders with this much dedication and drive. You are very lucky to have them working for you.
I have been an avid scouter as a youth and now I am an avid scouter as an adult. Both of my boys are in scouts, even my wife has taken on scouting. I truly feel scouting is the greatest program in the world. The things they and I learn, the experiences we have as a family and as a troop are memories that I will have for the rest of my life. BSA is truly molding the youth of the future.”
Yours in Scouting,
John Bame
An Amazing Time
“My son, Ryan Mohr, and I had an amazing time at Seabase along with the rest of Troop 43 from Larkspur, CA.
Our favorite activities were snorkeling, sailing, fishing and kayaking.”
Kevin Mohr
Larkspur, CA
A Memory That We Can Share
“I was fortunate enough to go on the Keys Adventure from the BEC with my son, Owen (15) and some others from our troop in February. We are from Troop 465 in Greensburg, PA, Westmoreland Fayette Council. The trip was nothing short of spectacular. We did once in a lifetime activities every day of the week! My favorite part was snorkeling and Owen’s was sailing.
I know that the trip will be a memory that we can share for the rest of our lives. I am hoping that I can take my younger son, Evan (11) on the same adventure in 4 years with two other crews of scouts and scouters.”
Best,
Tim Fetter
Exact Type of Challenging Experience We Were Looking For
“We had a wonderful experience with Seabase. Our March 10 charter with Grand Nellie was the exact type of challenging experience we were looking for. My older son has done Philmont and Northern Tier while my younger son did the Summit bike packing trip last year. This trip allowed all three of us to share a beautiful experience. It could not have worked out better. Thank you Seabase!”
Tom
Memories that will Stay with Us for the Rest of Our Lives
“My son and I attend Sea Base in March of this year. There really was no single experience that I can highlight. The entire trip was a trip of a lifetime for both of us. We have created memories that will stay with us for the rest of our lives. The staff was very friendly and always helpful. You have the meal serving system down to a science. The food was always fantastic and we never had to wait in line very long. I have also attached a picture I took of the sunrise at Big Munson Island. This picture now sits on my desk at work and reminds me daily of the joy that we had on that trip. Thank you for all of your hard work. “
Richard Backous
Troop 5
Madison, SD
Happy Father's Day from Sea Base!
