UHLAND — After being part of the Sea Scout program for more than two years, 16-year-old Trevor Young achieved the rank of quartermaster Feb. 11. Young is a part of two different scouting units, known as ships, Ship 26 and Ship 1407.
The Sea Scouts program is a branch of Scouting America, previously known as Boy Scouts of America. It is intended for ages 14 and up and offers more “high adventure” opportunities, according to Young. High adventure, as it’s known in the scouting community, is a more hands-on, activity-based version of scouting. This typically refers to Sea Scouts and Venturing, another branch of scouting.
“[Sea Scouting] is geared towards older scouts … It’s mainly [focused] around sailing, scuba diving, snorkeling and all the aquatics,” said Young.
The Sea Scouts was founded in 1912 and during the second World War, many former and active Sea Scouts joined the US Navy to aid in defending the country.
This career is still popular among scouts, as, according to the Scouting America website, Sea Scouting was named “the official youth program of the US Coast Guard Auxiliary” in August of 2018, since many members join the Navy or the Coast Guard after they graduate from scouting, in addition to other positions in the marine industry.
A student of Hays High School, Young previously achieved his Eagle Scout rank July 2023. After receiving this title, he decided to pursue the quartermaster rank.
“To get the quartermaster rank/achievement, you have to complete the three previous ranks, which is apprentice, ordinary and able,” said Young. “Then, once you actually start working on your quartermaster, you’re going to have to go back through each of the three ranks and teach a certain number of requirements for each rank.”
After finishing these tasks, Young explained that a quartermaster project, similar to an Eagle Scout project, must be completed. One idea he had was to build fish habitat inserts to put into Lake Kyle, though he ultimately landed on a winter animal supply drive for PAWS Shelter of Central Texas in Kyle. Over all, he collected approximately 222 pounds of cat and dog food and an additional 102 pounds of cat litter.
“To me, [being a quartermaster] means that I’ve effectively taught and given back to Sea Scouts in a way that doesn’t necessarily leave it to fall apart,” said Young. “I’ve taught people enough to where they can go back, once they’re working on their quartermaster, that they can teach other people those skills effectively, as well. For my quartermaster project, I feel that it’s given back to the community and helped them.”
In addition to being a quartermaster, Young is the council boatswain for the Capital Area Council, which is a council that oversees 15 Central Texas counties, including Caldwell, Hays, Travis and Williamson.
For more information about Sea Scouts, visit www.seascout.org.
