Eurosea 11 – Sea Scouting in Europe

Every 3 years since 1985 European Sea Scout leaders and invited observers from around the Globe met up at what is called Euroseas. The aims and objectives of the seminar, to enable National Associations to share ideas and experiences on how to develop Sea Scouting/Guiding or water-based programs in general in their own countries.

This years seminar was held from the 19th to 23rd October 2012 and the  host country was Denmark .All were welcomed by Sospejder (Sea Scouts) of the Danish Scout and Guide Association.The venue chosen a partially nautical training centre, in Holmen, Copenhagen .The venue is part of the coastline which gives great views over a very busy shipping lane and on a clear day you can see over to Malmo in Sweden.

Leaders, guests and observers started to arrive on Tuesday. Invited observers this year came from USA, New Zealand, and Libya. The official opening was performed by Hads Kolte Olsen National Secretary of Danish Scout and Guide Association.

The seminar was workshop based and this meant participants had to come somewhat prepared. During the last several months emails were sent with homework to be completed before arriving. This method was chosen to make understanding and completion easier. The venue situated in the older part of Copenhagen port was a great backdrop that added the nautical theme to many a discussion. The programme started with topics held outdoors in small groups in what was called ‘walk and talk’. Further sessions were held in Risk Management, Water Activity programme and establishing closer ties with your neighbouring country. There was first-hand opportunity to try the Danish Sea Scout standard boat Svendborgjolle and take it out into the busy shipping lane. Here basic skills of navigation were taught.

National Sea Scout teams were given the opportunity to prepare and present workshop modules on best practices in their Associations. Our contingent Stephanie McCann, Kate O’Farrell, Brian Gaule and Kevin Rowan chose and presented the ‘One Programme’ and the training up of new Sea Scout leaders. Both sessions were delivered by using visual and practical exercises completed by the participants.

The seminar agreed on resolution before next Eurosea that National Associations present would organise one International event. Poland and Belgium will start by organising a joint crew in Tall Ships race starting in Denmark in 2014.

The next Eurosea 12 will be held in Bruges, Belgium in September 2014 .The seminars theme “Developing Scouting within Sea Scouting”. The programme will reflect this theme with new training and programme ideas for the scout while afloat.

The seminar concluded on Sunday with new members elected to the Odysseus committee .They were as follows Satu Raudasoja(Finland) ,Ernst-Jan Jacobsen(Nederland),Kris Bauters (Belgium),Leduc Benoit(France), Ondrej Odokienko (Slovakia) ,and Nuno Jacinto Bapista(Portugal).