Take the Adventure with Ship 25
You and your shipmates in the District of Columbia lead your Sea Scout program with advice from national-class experts, so you make it what you want. In Sea Scout Ship 25, you may cruise the Potomac or board a massive ocean-going ship. You might paddle, row or kayak near Great Falls or day sail on a nearby Virginia lake. You might team with your Coast Guard Auxiliary advisors to prevent injuries and accidents as millions gather at an event in your City. You might gather at Harbor Patrol Headquarters on Saturday mornings to learn how to pilot a patrol boat or at Coast Guard Station Washington, D.C. to receive deck hand training or meet a rescue swimmer. Because Sea Scout Ship 25 is the official youth program of the Coast Guard Auxiliary for our entire metropolitan area, these are not dreamy possibilities. This is what we actually do. You will not find this anywhere else in the District of Columbia. Ship 25 is your place to grow and learn, find adventure, and build long lasting friendships. You will improve your own life and just might save somebody else’s.
The Sea Scouts
Sea Scout Ship 25 is part of a national maritime Scouting program that started in 1912. It is an inclusive program for all young adult women and men age 14 but not yet 21 (or 13 and completed the 8th grade). It’s operated through Sea Scout “Ships”, groups of young adults like you who are guided by a group of adult advisors known as the “Skipper’s Staff”. We wear sharp uniforms, meet twice a month on Saturdays (usually in the mornings) and have a lot of outdoor activities on and off the water, including social gatherings. Sea Scout alumni help lead our city, nation and world by leading companies, associations, governments, and sometimes serving the maritime world in recreational, commercial and military roles. You can be among them — and you do not even need to have even been on a boat to join us.
The Coast Guard Auxiliary
The Coast Guard Forces, often referred to as “Team Coast Guard” is comprised of the Coast Guard, Coast Guard Reserve, Coast Guard Auxiliary and civilian employees. The Coast Guard and Reserve comprise the world’s largest and most capable military and law enforcement coast guard service. The Auxiliary is the volunteer component and can engage in all missions except military and law enforcement missions. Over 250 Auxiliary women and men in our metropolitan area regularly serve in operational and educational roles, such as boat crew members, safety instructors and vessel inspectors, to name just a few.
A principal focus is the Auxiliary’s promotion of safe boating practices and Ship 25 is an important part of that effort. In fact, some Auxiliarists focus their service on advising Sea Scouts and making the resources of the Auxiliary and Coast Guard available to us. Ship 25 is the only Sea Scout Ship with an associated Coast Guard Auxiliary unit that focuses primarily on assisting Seas Scouts. Sea Scouts in our Ship that reach the “Ordinary Rank” are encouraged to simultaneously belong to that unit, known as “Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 25-25”.