Calling all Scouts BSA Troops, Venture Crews, Sea Scout Ships, Explorer Posts, Girl Scout/Mariner Troops and American Heritage Girls Units or 4H. The 48th Annual Winter Amidships is to set sail, 8:30-10:00PM CENTRAL, on Saturday, Feb. 26, at the National Guard Armory in Fond du Lac. Limited to the first 100 registrants, youth participants must be registered members of the Boy Scouts of America (Troop, Crew, Ship, Post participant), or Girl Scouts-USA, or American Heritage Girls. COVID protocols apply.
WAM is, perhaps, Bay-Lakes Council’s longest running, volunteer-led Scouting activity. The 48th annual Winter Amidships (WAM) is scheduled for Feb. 27, 2021, at the National Guard Armory in Fond du Lac, WI. This is a one-day competition event for Scouts BSA Troops, Venturing Crews, Sea Scout Ships, Career Explorer Posts, Girl Scout/Mariner Troops, American Heritage Girls Units, and 4H Clubs. Youth participants must be registered members of the Boy Scouts of America (Troop, Crew, Ship, Post participant), Girl Scouts – USA, American Heritage Girls or 4H. Dinner is included; lunch is on your own. Awards and a dance end the day. This event is supported by: Alumni of Girl Scout Mariner Ship 8 “Sea Witch” & Sea Scout Ship 5772 “Conquistador”, Scouts BSA Troop 618-Oshkosh, Sea Scout Ship 5792 “Eagle”, and the Bay‐Lakes Council.
WAM was first held in Fond du Lac in 1972 as a co-ed event for teenage Sea Scouts and Mariner Girl Scouts. An event called “Mid-Winter Cruise” (1952-1971), preceded WAM, providing activities Mariner and Senior Girl Scouts. (For various reason, WAM was not held during three years.) Did you know that the penguin is the event mascot, first appearing on the patch in 1973? The first patch (1972) had a sailboat with long skis attached.
The event was originally intended to sharpen the nautical skills (knots, compass, semaphore, heaving line, swimming, etc.) of Mariner and Sea Scouts by having them compete against other Scout units. Ribbons and trophies are awarded to top units. Other events that are not nautical in nature, such as tug-of-war, bowling, scooter race and obstacle course, were added to increase the variety of the competition and make the event more appealing to Scouts with other interests. This event has hosted units that range from the traditional Mariner and Sea Scout, to Explorer Posts and Venturing Crews who’s emphasis may be Military, Fire, Police, High Adventure, etc, as well as Girl Scout and Boy Scout Troops. Scouts must be at least 14 years old OR 13 years old AND completed the 8th grade.
Units have attended from Wisconsin, Northern Illinois, Minnesota, and Michigan. Events are staffed by volunteers, including Scout alumni and attending units’ advisors, many who competed in the event as teens. The daylong competition is topped off with an awards dinner, and a dance. The penguin is the event mascot, first appearing on the patch in 1973. The first patch (1972) had a sailboat with long skis attached.
The current chairperson, Ann Gratton, first attended WAM as a Mariner Scout from 1978-1980. She joined the planning committee from 1981 to 1984, and has been its chairperson since 1985. You can contact her at wamgratton@gmail.com
COVID protocols apply. Complete details, including a program guide including the schedule for the day and events descriptions, the forms and registration can be found here.
PLEASE NOTE: Registration is limited to the first 100 youth. So, get your group together and register early for a great day of winter fun in Fond du Lac!
