Auxiliary Youth Programs
The Coast Guard Auxiliary has adopted the Boy Scouts of America’s Sea Scout program as its official youth program. The Sea Scouts are a program for young men and women ages 14 (or 13 years of age and completed eighth grade) through 20. Sea Scouts provide a program for religious, fraternal, educational, and other community organizations to use for effective character, citizenship, and mental and personal fitness training for youth. As part of this training, Sea Scouts are expected to develop personal religious values, learn the principles of American heritage and government, and acquire skills that will prepare them to become successful adults.
All Sea Scouts and Sea Scout leaders are automatically Associate Members of the Coast Guard Auxiliary Association. Any Sea Scout who is at least 14 years old or Sea Scout leader may also choose to become full members of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary by following the normal application process.
The national Auxiliary-Sea Scout Youth Development (AuxScout) Program Standard Operating Procedures outlines how Auxiliarists are to work with Sea Scout youth and adult members, whether or not they are also Coast Guard Auxiliarists. National program oversight is provided by the Auxiliary's Youth Programs Division. Auxiliary Districts will have District Staff Officers - AuxScout (DSO-AS), and divisions will have Staff Officers - AuxScout (SO-AS).
Vision statement
To facilitate collaborative programs that excite, inspire, and encourage young people to become part of Team Coast Guard - the best-trained, most-valued maritime organization in the world.
Mission statement
Coast Guard Auxiliary Youth Programs leverages youth program partnerships in support of Team Coast Guard missions. We encourage and facilitate shared training, public outreach, and authorized activities and experiences that promote recreational boating safety, develop individual character and citizenship, and build lasting relationships that foster interest and membership in Team Coast Guard.
Auxiliary Policy Documents
- Memorandum of Agreement among the Coast Guard Auxiliary, the Boy Scouts of America, and the Coast Guard Auxiliary Association
- Standard Operating Procedures
- Executive Summary
AuxScout Training
BSA Youth Protection (YPT) Training (This workshop must be taken by all Auxiliarists and adults working directly with Sea Scout youth)Sea Scout Adult Leader Basic Training (Sea Scout Adult Leader Basic Training is the first step in training for all Sea Scout leaders focusing on the skills and attributes necessary to be an effective advisor in the Ship’s deliverance of service to youth in your specific geographic location.)
Seabadge (Seabadge is intense leadership and management training focused on the “how-to” aspects of managing a successful youth-led Sea Scout program.)
BSA Safe Swim Defense Training (BSA Safe Swim Defense is used for all swimming activities. Adult leaders supervising a swimming activity must have completed Safe Swim Defense training within the previous two years.)
BSA Safety Afloat Training (BSA Safety Afloat standards are used for all boating activities. Adult leaders supervising activities afloat must have completed Safety Afloat training within the previous two years.)
AuxScout online workshops (Youth programs offer many online workshops on AuxScout-related topics. Recordings of these workshops, as well as PowerPoint files and resource links are provided.)
AuxScout Resources
AuxBWiki (Coast Guard Auxiliary web resource providing AuxScout tools and guidance)Sea Scouts BSA (The official Sea Scout website. This provides program helps, marketing materials, and training opportunities)
Sea Scouts, the Coast Guard Auxiliary's Official Youth Program Facebook group (A great place for best-practice discussion of the Auxiliary working with Sea Scouts.)
Auxiliary Flotilla – Sea Scout Ship map (Map and contact information for all Auxiliary flotillas, Sea Scout Ships (units), and BSA local councils)
Auxiliary-Sea Scout Frequently Asked Questions
Sea Scouts BSA YouTube channel
ANSC 7020a - Photography/Video/Audio Consent Form (For Sea Scout Use)
Youth Programs Team
Youth Programs Division Chief
Youth Programs provides support to Auxiliarists working with the Coast Guard Auxiliary’s official youth program, Sea Scouts BSA. Branch Chiefs either directly support Coast Guard Auxiliary districts, or provide expert or logistic support for specific programmatic areas. Each district has a District Staff Officer – AuxScout (DSO-AS), with Assistant District Staff Officers (ADSO- AS) being authorized. Most divisions have a Staff Officer – AuxScout (SO-AS).
Branch Chief, Youth Programs Atlantic East Region - BC-SYA: Arnie Geller
Branch Chief, Youth Programs Atlantic West Region - BC-SYW: Roy Bonus
Branch Chief, Youth Programs Pacific Region - BC-SYP: John-Michael Zimmerle
Branch Chief, Youth Programs Program Support - BC-SYS: John-Michael Zimmerle
Branch Assistant, Youth Programs Program Support (New Ship Org.) - BA-SYSA: Bart Knapp
Branch Assistant, Youth Programs Program Support (Recognition) - BA-SYSB: Stephan Reckie
Branch Assistant, Youth Programs Program Support (Paddling) - BA-SYC: Robin Pope
Branch Chief, Youth Programs STEM Training - BC-SYT:
P.J. O'Neill
Branch Assistant, Youth Programs STEM Training (NOVA /SuperNOVA) - BA-SYTA: Amy McNeil
Branch Assistant, Youth Programs STEM Training (USCG Academy) - BA-SYTB: Jim Wolfe
Branch Chief, Youth Programs Marketing /Social Media - BC-SYM: John Reiss
Branch Assistant, Youth Programs Marketing /Social Media - BA-SYMA: Ron Blaisdell