Cubs

The Nautical Training Scheme offers all Cub Scouts the chance to develop maritime skills. The Cub Scouts, as a Six or indeed individually, can identify a part of the Boatman Badges to take them through the next step of their journey. The Badges are progressive and are divided into three sections, Bronze, Silver and Gold. If as a Beaver Scout they have completed the Boat Badges they will have learned the basics of safety on the water. This message of safety should permeate their achievement of the Boatman Badges with a development of skills around a number of areas under the headings of Skills, Safety, Navigation, The Sea, Maintenance, Communication and Water Activities.

Activity planning can be focused on the water. For example the learning of and experiencing of rope work, what to wear afloat, some knowledge of the parts of a boat and how to recognise an admiralty chart. The Cub Scouts could also be offered a chance to engage with a Scout Troop who would be in the process of maintaining and repairing their boats for the boating season.

The RNLI and the Coastguard offer some resources around safety on the water and safety at sea and are always willing to offer their services to work with young people in order increase their knowledge around this area. They also offer some exciting tours of their premises and craft. The Sea Scout handbook and the Sea Scout Leaders handbook offer user – friendly technical information to the Scouter.

Outdoor adventure centres around the country and some of the Scouting Ireland campsites e.g. Killaloe, offer resources and instructors to help the Cub Scouts achieve their Boatman Badges and most especially the area around the actual water activities themselves.

Cub Scouts participating in a dedicated nautical symbolic framework within their Section or Group are known as Cub Sea Scouts.