Adventures Afloat

Adventures Afloat is a programme pathway for all, based on nautical skills and traditions and focused on Seamanship Skills, Adventures Afloat, Marine Environment and Maritime Community. 

Part of the Scouting Ireland SAILS Framework, it aligns with Safety Afloat, the good practices keeping us safe when boating, Inclusion Afloat, ensuring all members can engage, Leadership Afloat, the framework for leading and supervising water-activities, Sustainability Afloat, protecting our biggest playground, and of course with the beloved Adventure Skills, technical scouting activity skills.

Many of the first recorded Scout activities in Ireland involved picking up a paddle, reefing a sail or pulling an oar. Baden Powell himself was a keen boatman. So the sea and Scouting have been connected since the beginning. This is not just splashing around. This is navigation and knot work, marine science, boat building and maintenance, meeting the marine and achieving more afloat as a team. 

Ireland is an island nation, defined by it's maritime history and relationship with the sea, its lakes and its rivers. You are encouraged to foster a relationship with our coast and water bodies, learn nautical skills and build a respect for the marine ecosystem and embrace safe practices.

This programme may be undertaken Afloat or Ashore to ensure all young people in Scouting can take part in some way.

How does it work? As with traditional seamanship, a Mate assists with the running of a ship...

There are two levels under each Programme Section; the Mate-Levels are Shorebased and designed to be accessible and attainable for all Scout Groups, regardless of the Scout Groups ability to organise activity, equipment and adventure on the water; allowing all youth members to participate and achieve a nautical ability.

Groups with access to water-activities should complete the Mate-level first to build a good foundation of nautical skill before embarking on the next.