On July 21st our weekly "zoom" meeting welcomed Nauset Sea Scouts for an update on activities in 2020.
Nauset Sea Scout Ship 72 chair Sue Haley and Skipper Rick Gifford presented an update on both Ship 72 and Explorer Club 72 activities in 2020.
Nauset Rotary Past President Jennifer Whitaker acts as our club representative on the Scout Board. Sue Haley retired from the National Park Service and joined the board six years ago. Rick Gifford is a science teacher at Provincetown Middle School. The Nauset Rotary Club has sponsored the Sea Scout Ship, since 1955 succeeding the original sponsor, The Orleans Yacht Club, whose founders established Nauset Sea Scout Ship 72 in 1947.
During the past winter both organizations decided to combine their meetings and work together with the explorers ranging in age from 11 - 13 and the Sea Scout members from 14 - 18. There are currently 10 members enjoying scout activities. During the past winter and spring the Sea Scouts sold some of their boat fleet in order to raise funds for maintenance of the remaining boats. The organizations are currently enjoying the use of three boats including two Boston Whalers and a 26' sailboat. The sailboat is currently waiting for delivery of some repair parts and is not yet in the ocean.
There are four (4) ranks in the Sea Scouts with the highest rank being "Quartermaster". This rank is equivalent to the "Eagle Scout". One current member has already achieved the Eagle Scout recognition and hopes to complete the quartermaster requirements in 2020.