Aquatic Programs
The Boy Scouts of America outdoor program offers many exciting opportunities in aquatic sports. Our troop participates in several aquatic programs each year including waterfront free swim, canoeing, whitewater rafting, motor boating and waterskiing.
Troop 175 Mile Swimmers at Woodruff Summer Camp 2007
The basic underlying participating requirement for all of these activities is that the Scout and Adult must have their swim ability level identified to our troop leadership. Non-swimmers and beginners are offered swim lessons during summer camp, with the ultimate goal of all troop members earning the swimming merit badge.
Our troop will conduct swim test dates at Summer Camp. Each member of the troop is rated either a non-swimmer, a beginner, or a swimmer. This official test result remains valid for one year, unless upgraded or downgraded by a BSA or Red Cross certified lifeguard.
BSA Beginner Test
Jump feet first into water over the head in depth, level off, swim 25 feet on the surface, stop, turn sharply, resume swimming as before, and return to starting place.
BSA Swim Test
Jump feet first into water over the head in depth, swim 75 yards/meters in a strong manner using one or more of the following strokes
- sidestroke
- breaststroke
- trudgen, or crawl;
Then swim 25 yards/meters using an easy, resting backstroke. The 100 yards/meters must be swum continuously and include at least one sharp turn. After completing the swim, rest by floating.
- Aquatic Safety BSA Guide to Safe Scouting
- Canoeing, Lifesaving, Motor Boating, Rowing, Small-boat Sailing, Swimming, Waterskiing, Whitewater Merit Badges
- BSA Lifeguard
- Boardsailing, BSA Award
- Kayaking, BSA Award
- Mile Swim, BSA Award
- Snorkeling, BSA Award
- Scuba, BSA Award
