Sailing, snorkeling, fishing and new friends await you in the Florida Keys. The Florida Sea Base and Friends Association (SBAFA) is proud to host the Philmont Staff Association (PSA) and the Charles L. Sommers Alumni Association (SAA) for the 2013 Coral Reef Sailing Adventure. This is the second time this Adventure has been hosted by the SBAFA in the Exchange Program of the SBAFA, PSA and SAA.
During your Adventure, you will sail the Florida Keys in a 40-45 foot sailing vessel and have the opportunity to snorkel and fish some of the most beautiful reefs in the Keys. You’ll also learn navigation, fish identification and coral reef ecology, and hang out with friends, old and new. Except for the last night, you will sleep on your vessel and fall asleep to the rocking of the waves.
Sailing Adventure Basics
The Sailing Adventure is February 17 to February 23, 2011. The cost is $6,100 per vessel. There is a minimum of 6 sailors per vessel, maximum 7 sailors per vessel. On a per sailor basis, this means that a six sailor crew would pay $1016.66 per sailor, and a seven sailor crew would pay $871.43 per sailor. Your actual charge will be determined by taking the total cost for the number of vessels required and divided by the total number of sailors. For example, 20 sailors would require 3 vessels and the resulting charge to each sailor would be $915.
Your fee includes a berth on the vessel, all fishing licenses and gear, on-water food, (fresh -- not trail food!) snorkel gear, on base-lodging and meals, a Coral Reef Sailing Mate on base and a fully qualified captain for your vessel. You are responsible for the limited personal gear required and your transportation to and from the Sea Base in Islamorada, Florida.
Eligibility requirements
- Be a current member of the SBAFA, PSA or SAA or eligible family member.
- Be a registered member of the BSA.
- Presented a completed medical form.
- Pass the basic BSA swim check upon check in – persons not passing the swim check will be required to wear a personal flotation device at all times.
- Be 13 years old and have completed 8th grade, or 14 years old, by arrival day – youth participants will be required to present a valid ID showing proof of age.
Eligible family members are your spouse, child or step-child, sibling, parent, grandparent, grandchild, niece, nephew or in-law who meets the eligibility requirements above.
Becoming a member of the BSA is straightforward: register at your local Scout office by explaining that BSA membership is a requirement for participation in an event at the Sea Base, pay nominal fees and pass a background check.
BSA swimming requirements are simple: jump feet first into water over your head, swim 75 yards in a strong manner using a forward stroke, turn over, swim 25 yards using a resting back stroke and then float motionless on your back for one minute.
The schedule
- Sunday, February 17 -- Arrive at Sea Base by 10:00 a.m., meet your Coral Reef Sailing Mate and fellow/sister sailors, have lunch in the Sea Base galley, go through swimming re-check, snorkel instruction, food pick-up and crew photos. Set sail from Sea Base before dinner and eat Sunday dinner on your vessel.
- Monday, February 18 -- Sail the Keys.
- Tuesday, February 19 – Sail the Keys.
- Wednesday, February 20 -- rendezvous at Big Munson Island, site of the Sea Base’s Out Island Program, and complete a fun service project and tour the island. The opportunity to visit Big Munson Island is not offered to regular Coral Reef Sailing Adventure participants – just you! Then visit the Brinton Environmental Center for hot showers. Wednesday evening return to your vessel and set sail again.
- Thursday, February 21 -- Sail the Keys.
- Friday, February 22 -- Return to Sea Base, participate in a luau, and receive your Sea Base participant’s award. Those persons having earned participation awards at all three BSA High Adventure Bases will receive their Triple Crown Award. Spend the final night in a Sea Base bunkhouse.
- Saturday, February 23 – depart Sea Base.
Deviations from the above schedule are not possible. Persons arriving a day early can sleep at the Sea Base at no charge.
How to register
To reserve your slot, you must pay a $100 deposit by November 30, 2012. After November 30th? Currently there is still space for you to sign-up! Register and pay your deposit online here. Call the Philmont Staff Association to confirm space at (575) 376-1138.
Except as set forth below, this deposit is non-refundable, but it is transferable. Immediately after November 30, the number of vessels required will be determined and the final price per sailor calculated. You will be immediately notified of the final price and the balance of the final price must be paid in full by December 10, 2012. Once paid the balance is not refundable and the purchase of trip interruption/cancellation insurance to protect you against unforeseen cancellation is advised.
In the event the number of registrants is such that all cannot be accommodated on vessels, sailors will be awarded their slot based on the order in which their registration was received, priority beginning with the first registrant. Sailors who cannot be accommodated will receive a refund of their deposit.
All registrations will be handled by Randy Saunders, Executive Director of the Philmont Staff Association. To register and get top priority for a slot mail the form below, together with your check in the amount of $100 per sailor payable to the PSA, to Randy at Executive Director, Philmont Staff Association, 17 Deer Run Road, Cimarron, NM 87714.
Don’t miss out on this – the first Coral Reef Sailing Adventure in 2011 proved to be very popular.
