Sea Base 2023
Keys Adventure
June 27 - July 03, 2023
Expedition No.: KA062723-BC
Crews will spend sunny days sailing, fishing, paddle boarding, kayaking, snorkeling, camping on primitive Big Munson Island, and sightseeing in Key West and local State Parks. This adventure allows crews to explore the diverse environment and culture of the Florida Keys.
Required Paperwork
All Scouts will be required to the following forms:
BSA Medical Form
All parts (A, B1, B2 and C) must be fully completed. Part C must be signed by your son's physician less than 12 months before the day we leave Sea Base.
Blue Sky Adventures Form
This is a liability waiver needed for our transportation to and from Sea Base. It also covers the 1-night hotel stay on the day before our expedition.
Swim Classification
All Scouts will need to take a swim test ahead of camp. If you did not take the swim test with the troop, you will need to coordinate with Maureen Hoock (314-540-1650) to find a time to take it at the Shrewsbury pool.
Travel Plans
Traveling to Sea Base
Arrive at Lambert St. Louis International Airport East Terminal by 6 am on Monday, June 26. We’ll need time to check in as a group. Ideally, no one will check luggage. Our flight is Southwest Airlines No. 657, direct to Fort Lauderdale.
Flight Information: SWA #647, Departure: 7:50 am, Arrival: 11:30 am
Scouts should travel in uniform. Uniform for this adventure is the custom troop Sea Base shirt and Scout shorts. We’ll be met at the Ft. Lauderdale airport by Blue Sky Adventures. Blue Sky will provide meals and take us to our hotel on the Ft. Lauderdale beach.
Traveling from Sea Base
Arrive at Lambert St. Louis International Airport at 8:25 pm on Monday, July 3. Please plan to have a ride pick you up at the airport. Our flight is Southwest Airlines No. 1789, direct to St. Louis
Flight Information: SWA #1789, Departure: 6:40 pm, Arrival: 8:25 pm.
What to Pack
Sea Base provides meals, dry bags, fishing equipment and nearly everything else you will need on your adventure. Below is a list of personal and crew items required or recommended for your adventure.
1 UPF +30 long sleeve shirt
Wide brimmed hat with strap
16oz +45 Biodegradable sunscreen NO SPRAYS. REEF SAFE.
Mosquito Repellent, non-aerosol
Oil-based skin product for “no-seeums” (i.e., Skin-So-Soft)
Polarized Sunglasses with strap
Wide-mouth water bottle with carabiner
2 pairs of shorts: (1) swim trunks or swimsuit (1) dry pair for land
1 light pair of pants, zip off trek pants recommended
3 pairs of socks
2 pairs of shoes: (1) Teva or Chaco style sandals (1) good walking shoes (open-toed shoes are permitted)
1 pair of water shoes or dive booties. Participants will be wading in shallow water around Big Munson Island. Water shoes need to be hard-soled and closed-toe.
1 Conch Luau Shirt
1 Light Rain Jacket
1 sleeping cover
Sleeping bag insert
1 Small pillow, backpacking recommended
2 Towels: (1) Regular and (1) Microfiber sham/Camp Towel
Toiletry Kit
Flashlight, headlamp recommended
Prescription Medications
Spending money ($125-$175)
Camera, waterproof recommended
Sleeping pad (optional)
Hammock (optional)
Mask & Snorkel (can be purchased from the Sea Base Ship Store). FULL Face Mask/Snorkels are NOT Permitted at Sea Base.
What to Expect
Notes about the Adventure
Arrival Day: Upon arrival (1:00- 3:00pm), we will have paperwork reviewed, complete a gear shakedown and then complete a Sea Base Swim Review and snorkel lesson. We will have dinner on site. The following morning, we will have our photo taken. Photos are available for purchase onsite at the Ship Store.
Key West: Our adventure will include a trip to the southernmost city in the continental United States, rich in history and culture. Brinton Center Staff will provide lunch and transportation for Fort Zachary Taylor State Park in Key West, and after lunch, crews will have time to explore the city on their own.
Big Munson Island: Our adventure includes an overnight stay on Big Munson Island. Big Munson Island is a barrier island composed of hardwood hammocks, low mangrove swamps and sandy beaches. Our crew will wade to shore from our vessels and depending on the tide, the water may be knee high to chest deep. Our campsite will already be set up, including four-person tents to house up to two participants and all cooking equipment needed for your stay.
Fishing: All fishing tackle and equipment is provided by Sea Base. Please do not bring personal fishing gear. All participants ages 16 and over must purchase a valid Florida Fishing License. Visit gooutdoorsflorida.com and purchase a 3-day, saltwater fishing license, beginning on July 29, 2023.
Accommodations: We will stay in air-conditioned dormitories for all but one night of your adventure. The dorms are equipped with bunk beds and twin-size mattresses. Linens are not provided. Shower and laundry facilities are available. Tents will be provided for the one night on Big Munson Island.
Storage: Each Keys Adventure dormitory is equipped with one foot locker per crew. The foot locker is provided to stow valuables during day trips and the single overnight trip on Big Munson Island.
Dry Bags: All Keys Adventure participants will be provided a 24” x 12” diameter dry bag for their island gear. Keys Adventure crews will be provided a dry bag the night before their fishing day. Remaining crew gear not taken out to Big Munson Island is stored in their assigned dormitory.
Cell Phones/Electronic Devices: We strongly encourage all participants to “unplug” for the entirety of their Sea Base Adventure, especially on primitive Big Munson Island. Please keep in mind that the ocean environment is not conducive to phones and other electronic devices.
Snorkeling Gear: Individuals are required to use their own mask and snorkel at Sea Base. Crew members can purchase masks and snorkels from the Sea Base Ship Store and pick-up items upon arrival, if they choose. Full face masks are not permitted at any Sea Base location.
Sample Itinerary
Each crew will experience all of the activities but not in the same order. Here is one example of a Keys Adventure week:
Day One: Arrival Day: Registration, swim and snorkel review, opening shindig
Day Two: Key West Day: Kayaking and Stand Up Paddle Boarding in the morning, then off to Fort Zachary Taylor with a packed lunch. You will spend the rest of your day in Key West which includes the Sunset Festival and dinner.
Day Three: Sailing Day: After breakfast, you and your crew will be shuttled out to a sailboat where you will spend the day sailing and snorkeling, returning to base in time for dinner.
Day Four: Fishing Day: You will leave from base and spend the majority of the day fishing on the water. Your main goal is to catch dinner for your crew, and have fun doing it. At the end of your fishing trip, you will be dropped off on Big Munson Island where you will be camping for one night.
Day Five: Island Day: After your night under the stars, you will spend the day exploring and kayaking all around our beautiful, primitive island. You will be picked up by boat and brought back to base that evening.
Day Six: Snorkel Day: The majority of your day will be spent on the water snorkeling at a nearby, protected coral reef. After, you will have the opportunity to explore a local State Park. That night you will have a Conch Luau, with games and a festive dinner, followed by a closing ceremony.
Day Seven: Departure.
Emergency Contacts
While at Florida Sea Base, Ruth Eilerman will be serving as our "At-home" captain. Ruth will coordinate any communications to parents regarding travel plans, paperwork, etc.
Ruth Eilerman: 314-369-0989
At Sea Base, the troop will have four adults:
Patrick Powers: 314-540-0356
Greg Lauter: 314-805-7675
Brian Koenen: 314-807-0451
Dan Schreckenberg: 314-616-2783
The contact information for Florida Sea Base is as follows:
Brinton Environmental Center, Florida Sea Base
23800 Overseas Hwy, Summerland Key, FL 33042
Phone: (305) 664-5640