
Requirements for the Swimming merit badge:
- Do the following: Explain to your counselor how Scouting's Safe Swim Defense plan anticipates, helps prevent and mitigate, and provides responses to likely hazards you may encounter during swimming activities. ...
- Before doing the following requirements, successfully complete the BSA swimmer test: Jump feet first into water over the head in depth. ...
What are the prerequisites for swimming merit badge?
Requirements for the Swimming merit badge: Discuss the prevention and treatment for health concerns that could occur while swimming, including hypothermia, dehydration, sunburn, heat exhaustion, heatstroke, muscle cramps, hyperventilation, spinal injury, stings and bites, and cuts and scrapes. Identify the conditions that must exist before ...
How do I begin a merit badge?
- Start multiple merit badges at once so that you always have something productive to work on.
- Circle or write down your “next steps” so that you’re never at a loss for what to do if you have some free time.
- Talk with your merit badge counselor when starting out to decide on the best timeline for earning your badge. ...
How many merit badges are possible?
Of the 130 current merit badges, 26 remain from the group of 57 original merit badges from 1911, and 104 have been introduced since 1911. An additional 90 merit badges were created after 1911 that were subsequently dropped. So, all together, there have been a total of 251 different merit badges.
What are the requirements for the merit badge?
Here are a few, but not all, of the Citizenship in Society requirements:
- Research the following terms and explain them to your merit badge counselor: identities, diversity, equity, equality, inclusion, discrimination, ethical leadership.
- Consider ethical decision making: Think about a time you faced an ethical decision. What did you do? ...
- What can you personally do to create a welcoming environment? ...

What are the requirements to get the swimming merit badge?
Requirements for the Swimming merit badge:Float faceup in a resting position for at least one minute.Demonstrate survival floating for at least five minutes.While wearing a properly fitted U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket, demonstrate the HELP and huddle positions.More items...
Is swimming merit badge hard?
Swimming will likely be the easiest badge to earn, as it is often offered as a class during longer summer camps. What is this? Overall Difficulty: 4, 9, and 9, respectively. Don't think they'll be a simple walk in the park just because these badges are done as troop activities.
Is there a swimming merit badge?
By completing the requirements for the Swimming merit badge, Scouts learn to safely enjoy activities in the water. They learn about water rescue methods and swimming strokes. Then they show that they have the skills to safely participate in aquatics activities.
What is the hardest merit badge?
Bonus Badge: Inventing — The Most Difficult Merit Badge of All Time. Overview: The modern-day inventing merit badge is tricky, but by no means is it the most difficult badge out there.
What is the easiest merit badge?
The 3 simplest merit badges that any scout can earn are Art, Fingerprinting and Photography. These badges require few supplies and can be quickly completed in an afternoon.
What is the rarest Boy Scout badge?
One look at the requirements, and you'll see why Invention was the least-earned merit badge in the history of the BSA. To earn it, Scouts had to “invent and patent some useful article” and “show a working drawing or model of the same.”
What happens if you fail Army swim test?
You will have to take a swimming test as part of your basic training and those who do not pass it will receive extra training. If at the end of the course you are still not able to swim this will go onto your record with the recommendation that you continue swimming lessons in your unit.
What does AAA stand for in swimming?
Time Standards by Percentile AAA 94% This standard means your swimmer is ranked in the top 6% of swimmers their age-group, their same sex, in that stroke and distance. AA 92% This standard means your swimmer is ranked in the top 8% of swimmers their age-group, their same sex, in that stroke and distance.
What is the most popular merit badge?
The actual top 10RankMerit Badge2020 earned1Family Life48,4082Citizenship in the Nation43,2473Citizenship in the World42,7384Citizenship in the Community41,9876 more rows•Feb 24, 2021
Do colleges like Eagle Scouts?
If you're affiliated with Scouts BSA, you may wonder if being an Eagle Scout helps with college admissions. The answer to this is yes, colleges tend to look favorably upon Eagle Scouts.
What is the weirdest merit badge?
Here are seven of the very strangest pieces of sash flair on offer.Fingerprinting. Maybe this will finally put a stop to the string of unsolved murders terrorizing your summer camp.Dentistry. ... Moviemaking. ... American Labor. ... Truck Transportation. ... Nuclear Science. ... Pulp and Paper.
Do merit badges expire?
Requirements for merit badges do not expire as long as Scout is active in a troop, however, Scouts should try to finish a merit badge in a reasonable time frame after starting it.
Is the BSA swim test hard?
While the actual swim isn't considered to be too difficult, there are a few common mistakes that cause a good portion of scouts to fail the BSA swim test on their first attempt. My goal is to help you pass the swim test right from the start!
What do you have to do to pass the BSA swim test?
Swim 75 yards in a strong manner using one or more of the following strokes: side stroke, breaststroke, trudgen, or crawl; then swim 25 yards using an easy resting back stroke. The 100 yards must be swum continuously and include at least one sharp turn. After completing the swim, rest by floating.
Is it hard to get into swimming?
It's a form of exercise that most anyone can do, regardless of fitness level, and it requires few up-front costs in terms of equipment and gear. The most expensive part of getting started with swimming will usually be the cost of a fitness club membership if you need access to a pool.
Is swimming competitively easy?
Not only is it physically demanding, but it is also mentally demanding as well. The grit and determination the athletes show in every practice and meet demonstrates their love and willingness to do everything for the sport. Here are five reasons why swimming is one of the most difficult sports to succeed in.
How to swim underwater for 3 strokes?
Do a headfirst surface dive (pike or tuck), and bring the object up again. Do a headfirst surface dive to a depth of at least 5 feet and swim underwater for three strokes.
How far can you swim in the BSA?
Before doing the following requirements, successfully complete the BSA swimmer test: Jump feet first into water over the head in depth. Level off and swim 75 yards in a strong manner using one or more of the following strokes: sidestroke, breaststroke, trudgen, or crawl; then swim 25 yards using an easy, resting backstroke. The 100 yards must be completed in one swim without stops and must include at least one sharp turn. After completing the swim, rest by floating.
What is the BSA 33088?
Section 7.0.1.1 Qualifications of Counselors, in the 2015 Guide to Advancement (BSA Publication 33088 - SKU 620573) has specific special qualifications or certifications for either the merit badge counselor or the supervisor of certain activities that may be involved with the Swimming Merit Badge, as follows:
When do blanks in this worksheets table appear?
Blanks in this worksheets table appear when we do not have a worksheet for the badge that includes these requirements.
How long do you have to be floating to survive?
Demonstrate survival floating for at least five minutes. While wearing a properly fitted U.S. Coast Guard–approved life jacket, demonstrate the HELP and huddle positions. Explain their purposes. Explain why swimming or survival floating will hasten the onset of hypothermia in cold water.
How far away from shore should a practice victim be?
With a helper and a practice victim, show a line rescue both as tender and as rescuer. The practice victim should be approximately 30 feet from shore in deep water. Do the following: Float face up in a resting position for at least one minute. Demonstrate survival floating for at least five minutes.
How to demonstrate water rescue?
Demonstrate water rescue methods by reaching with your arm or leg, by reaching with a suitable object, and by throwing lines and objects. Explain why swimming rescues should not be attempted when a reaching or throwing rescue is possible, and explain why and how a rescue swimmer should avoid contact with the victim.
What are the requirements for the National Outdoor Award?
To complete the requirements for the National Outdoor Award Adventure Segment, a Scout or Venturer must be a proficient swimmer, have some lifesaving skills, complete the mile swim, and spend some time enjoying aquatics adventures such as swimming, paddling, fishing, or scuba diving. Safe Swim Defense.
What is the swimming program?
The Swimming program feature helps Scouts learn how to safely enjoy fun and physical activity in the water. Scouts also need to know how to swim to enjoy other aquatics activities such as boating and paddling. National Outdoor Awards – Aquatics Segment Requirements.
What are the health concerns that could occur while swimming?
Discuss the prevention and treatment of health concerns that could occur while swimming, including hypothermia, dehydration, sunburn, heat exhaustion, heatstroke, muscle cramps, hyperventilation, spinal injury, stings and bites, and cuts and scrapes. 2.
What do Scouts learn in 2021?
They learn about water rescue methods and swimming strokes. Then they show that they have the skills to safely participate in aquatics activities.
Why is swimming important for scouts?
The Swimming program feature helps Scouts learn how to safely enjoy fun and physical activity in the water.
How far can you swim in the BSA?
Before doing the following requirements, successfully complete the BSA swimmer test: Jump feet first into water over the head in depth. Level off and swim 75 yards in a strong manner using one or more of the following strokes: sidestroke, breaststroke, trudgen, or crawl; then swim 25 yards using an easy, resting backstroke.
How to do a headfirst surface dive?
Do a headfirst surface dive to a depth of at least 5 feet and swim underwater for three strokes. Come to the surface, take a breath, and repeat the sequence twice.
How far away from shore should a practice victim be?
With a helper and a practice victim, show a line rescue both as tender and as rescuer. The practice victim should be approximately 30 feet from shore in deep water. Float faceup in a resting position for at least one minute. Demonstrate survival floating for at least five minutes.
How long do you have to be floating to survive?
Demonstrate survival floating for at least five minutes. While wearing a properly fitted U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket, demonstrate the HELP and huddle positions. Explain their purposes. Explain why swimming or survival floating will hasten the onset of hypothermia in cold water.
How to demonstrate water rescue?
Demonstrate water rescue methods by reaching with your arm or leg, by reaching with a suitable object, and by throwing lines and objects. Explain why swimming rescues should not be attempted when a reaching or throwing rescue is possible, and explain why and how a rescue swimmer should avoid contact with the victim.
What are the health concerns that can occur while swimming?
Discuss the prevention and treatment of health concerns that could occur while swimming, including hypothermia, dehydration, sunburn, heat exhaustion, heatstroke, muscle cramps, hyperventilation, spinal injury, stings and bites, and cuts and scrapes.
How to earn citizenship in the community?
Citizenship in the Nation is easier, requiring only one trip, but requires a reasonable knowledge of our government and how it works. Citizenship in the World is what I call a “homework” merit badge. You can earn the entire merit badge by reading the merit badge pamphlet and answering the questions. (I had one Scout earn this merit badge in one 35-minute session with me. He was a history buff and really knew his material.) All three citizenship merit badges can be earned at any age, but they are probably easier for a Scout of 13 years or older.
How many merit badges are elective?
That means only 8 of the 21 merit badges are elective. If you are a Scout that intends to earn Eagle Rank, then it is a good idea to concentrate on the 13 Eagle-Required merit badges starting early in your Scouting career.
How many nights of camping do you need to get citizenship?
Camping : You will earn this over the course of several years camping with your troop. A total of 20 nights of camping are required, only 7 of which may be summer camp.
How long do you have to keep chores for merit badge?
You must keep a record of your chores for 90 days, so there is no way to earn the merit badge in less than that time. If you are seventeen years old and have not earned this merit badge, you MUST start the merit badge at least three months before your 18th birthday, or you will not be able to earn Eagle Rank.)
What merit badges are required for Eagle?
They are “real world” and require a lot of work. And they are also the two other “90-day” merit badges, requiring a log of personal fitness activities and a journal of income and expenses for 3 months.
Can you use Family Life for Star advancement?
Not a bad idea to use four of these merit badges for your Star advancement. Family Life is a merit badge that should be earned as young Scout. It is fairly easy, requiring a couple of family projects and a family meeting. (This is one of the “90-day” merit badges.
Is citizenship easier in the world?
Citizenship in the Nation is easier, requiring only one trip, but requires a reasonable knowledge of our government and how it works. Citizenship in the World is what I call a “homework” merit badge. You can earn the entire merit badge by reading the merit badge pamphlet and answering the questions.
