‘CSSS Jerome’ officially launched

First mate Joanne Mattinson says the scouts chose ‘Canadian Sea Scout Ship Jerome’ (in honour of the mystery man of Sandy Cove) as the name of their ‘ship’ when they made the decision to become sea scouts.

The ship ‘Jerome’ is defined by an area of the gym roped off in the shape of a ship—complete with a helm and flags. Sea scouts request ‘permission to board’ from their captain prior to entering the area where their activities take place.

Mattinson explains that sea scouts are members of the international scouting movement. She says that there is more discipline and there is an emphasis on how things are done on a vessel.

Sea scouts participate regularly in water-based activities. Nine members of the troop including Mattinson have already had their first canoeing trip. In August, they covered 27 kilometres during a three-day, two-night expedition in Kejimkujik National Park. In the spring they will be going on an excursion on a Bay of Fundy lobster boat.

Although most of the young people are former members of the local scout troop, Michael Arnold, 14, is a brand new member. A student at Digby Regional High School, Arnold grew up in Finchampastead in Wokingham, England, and was an active scout there. Plans are being made to put members of Arnold’s British scout troop in touch with his Canadian Sea Scout friends. Mattinson says in addition to email contact, they looking at the possibility of video-conferencing.

The Digby Neck and Island Sea Scout Troop is the Maritimes’ only Sea Scout troop.