Living on a boat for the last four years with her family, Devon Fehn has developed a sturdy pair of sea legs. The 16-year-old Sea Scout from Maryland spent the last year proving it so she could make the trip out to the Newport Sea Base and participate in the prestigious Sea Scout Advanced Leadership Training.
Devon and five other girls ages 16 to 19 from across the country converged for a week of intense training on the water. They began as strangers, but after spending six days in close quarters, have banded together as a unit. "It's been very challenging, a lot of work … but being able to study together we're learning leadership while using teamwork," Devon said.
Sea Scouts are akin to Girl Scouts, but with added adventure, said Daniel Stoica, one of the adults in charge of the program down at the base. In addition to typical scouting activities, the girls learn basic navigation, knot-tying techniques and other skills.