Aquatics Merit Badges

CANOEING— Scouts must pass the BSA swimmers test in order to participate in this merit badge. Recommended for 2nd year campers and older.

KAYAKING —Scouts will work on kayaking skills and techniques to earn the Kayaking Merit Badge. Scouts must pass the BSA swimmers test. Recommended for 2nd year campers and older.

LIFESAVING—Scouts must pass a pre-qualification, 400 yard swim test in order to participate in this merit badge. They must bring long pants, a belt, a long sleeve button down shirt , shoes, socks for in-water disrobing exercise. This is a great badge to earn prior to working on BSA Lifeguard. Recommended for 3rd year campers and older. This is an Eagle required Merit Badge.

ROWING—Scouts must pass the BSA swimmers test in order to participate in this merit badge. Recommended for 2nd year campers.

SMALL BOAT SAILING— Scouts must pass the BSA swimmers test in order to participate in this merit badge. Recommended for 3rd year campers and older.

BSA LIFEGUARD: Open to adults and scouts at least 15 years of age. Completion of this training will permit you to act as a lifeguard on your next unit aquatic outing. Additional times outside of the class will be required to complete this badge. 

Swimming & Water Rescue: Provides BSA leaders with information and skills to prevent, recognize, and respond to swimming emergencies during unit swimming activities. It expands the awareness instruction provided by Safe Swim Defense training to include basic water rescue skills.  The unit leader completing the training will also fee confident in his or her ability to conduct the standard BSA swim classification tests.  

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PADDLECRAFT SAFETY: This course expands on Safety Afloat training to include the basic skills and knowledge needed for a unit leader to confidently assess his or her ability to supervise float trips using canoes or kayaks.  The material also reviews the additional training and experience needed for whitewater, how to gain that expertise, and when it is appropriate to utilize professional whitewater guides.  
 
NOTE: These two adult leader training courses are offered as part of the BSA Lifeguard. Adults wishing to participate in either of these programs should consult the camp Aquatics Director for times.

SWIMMING— Scouts must pass the BSA swimmers test in order to participate. Excellent merit badge for all campers. This is an Eagle required Merit Badge.

MILE SWIM—While not a merit badge, Scouts will build up their swimming distance daily to swim the mile on Friday and earn the Mile Swim Award. Scouts and adults must attend each practice session in order to swim on Friday. Scouts & adults must pass the BSA swimmers test. Recommended for 3rd year campers and older.

SNORKELING— This is not a merit badge, but allows Scouts to earn the Snorkeling BSA certification. Scouts must pass the BSA swimmers test and also have earned the swimming merit badge. Recommended for 3rd year campers and older.