BSA Aquatics Activity Awards & Aquatics Supervision Training Discussion September 2018

Topics Overview What is new Popularity statistics Aquatics Supervision Training

Aquatics Award Overview 1/11/2019 Aquatics Award Overview National BSA awards Non-advancement, experiential Aquatics Supervision is primary reference For Mile Swim BSA, Snorkeling BSA, Kayaking BSA, and Boardsailing BSA Scuba BSA uses instructor material BSA SUP has new brochure (#430-189 2013 Printing) Whitewater Rafting Award new brochure 2018 Contains requirements and applications for all awards Council approval is needed for all counselors The aquatics awards do not count toward advancement, but are a way to get introduced to the skill or activity. The requirements are generally less stringent that the merit badge – if a comparable merit badge exists. In most cases, the aquatics award was introduced to gauge interest if a merit badge is needed. This is how Kayaking and Scuba Merit badges were developed.

Aquatics Award Overview (cont.) Youth and Adults can earn the awards Procedure Council approves counselor Participants meet with counselor, completes requirements Award application is completed Participant is recognized Pocket certificate Award patch (for swim suit wear) Record keeping Youth – entered by unit in Internet Advancement Leaders - ???

Mile Swim, BSA Purpose To encourage swimming skills and recognize Scouts who swim one mile or more. Who Can Earn This Award? Earned by Boy Scouts, Varsity Scouts, Venturers, Sea Scouts, and Explorers, and adult leaders in these programs.

Mile Swim, BSA How to Get the Award Work with a qualified and certified BSA Aquatics Instructor or equivalent to do training and then swim a mile; purchase award in Scout shop. Supply Item Description and Uniform Placement Round patch similar to a merit badge, white background saying "mile swim" and "BSA" with a red seahorse in the middle with a blue border; worn on swim trunks, left leg side

Snorkeling, BSA Purpose: The Snorkeling BSA requirements introduce Scout-age children and adult leaders to the special skills, equipment, and safety precautions associated with snorkeling; encourage the development of aquatics skills that promote fitness and recreation; and provide a foundation for those who later will participate in more advanced underwater activity.

Snorkeling, BSA Counselors: Any adult trained and assigned by a currently certified BSA Aquatics Instructor may serve as a counselor for the Snorkeling BSA award. A person certified to conduct snorkeling instruction by the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI), or the National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI), or other BSA recognized agency also qualifies as a Snorkeling BSA counselor.

Snorkeling, BSA Requirements Available online at Scouting.org https://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/OutdoorProgram/Aquatics/forms.aspx Also found in Aquatics Supervision Manual, Latest Edition - Pages 299 & 300. Primary Resource Aquatics Supervision Manual, Latest Edition Chapter 11: The Underwater World

Scuba, BSA Purpose Scuba BSA introduces qualified Boy Scout, Venturing, and registered adult participants to the special skills, equipment, and safety precautions associated with scuba diving; encourages aquatics activities that promote fitness and recreation; and provides a foundation for those who later will participate in more advanced underwater activity.

Scuba, BSA Counselors Counselors for Scuba BSA must hold current scuba instructor certification from PADI, NAUI, SSI, or other RSTC member organizations. BSA Scuba Policy BSA Scuba policy is published in various places (Aquatics Supervision & Scuba Brochure), but the most current policy is found in the online version of the Guide to Safe Scouting. https://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/healthandsafety/gss/toc.aspx

Scuba, BSA Requirements Aquatics Supervision Manual, Latest Edition - Pages 301 & 302. Primary Resource Aquatics Supervision Manual, Latest Edition Chapter 11: The Underwater World Scuba BSA brochure (#430-515 2011 Printing) has out-of-date requirements, but material is good.

Boardsailing, BSA Purpose To introduce basic boardsailing skills, equipment, and safety precautions; to encourage the development of skills that promote fitness and safe aquatics recreation Who Can Earn This Award? Earned by Boy Scouts, Varsity Scouts, Venturers, Sea Scouts, and Explorers, and adult leaders in these programs.

Boardsailing, BSA Requirements Available online at Scouting.org https://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/OutdoorProgram/Aquatics/forms.aspx Also found in Aquatics Supervision Manual, Latest Edition - Page 303. Primary Resource Aquatics Supervision Manual, Latest Edition Chapter 24: Boardsailing

Kayaking, BSA Purpose Kayaking BSA provides an introduction to kayaking skills and safety procedures and serves as a program opportunity for Boy Scout, Varsity, and Venturing units in camp or out. Mastery of Kayaking BSA skills is a first critical step towards satisfying Safety Afloat guidelines for safe kayak excursions. Who Can Earn This Award? Earned by Boy Scouts, Varsity Scouts, Venturers, Sea Scouts, and Explorers, and adult leaders in these programs.

Kayaking, BSA Counselors Any person recognized as a kayak instructor by the American Canoe Association or equivalent organization may serve as a counselor for this award, with the approval of the local council. A person experienced in kayaking skills and safety may serve as a counselor in a BSA summer camp program under the direction of a currently certified Aquatics Instructor, BSA.

Kayaking, BSA Requirements Available online at Scouting.org https://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/OutdoorProgram/Aquatics/forms.aspx Also found in Aquatics Supervision Manual, Latest Edition - Page 298. Primary Resource Aquatics Supervision Manual, Latest Edition Chapter 17: Kayaking Skills Kayaking Brochure (19-510)

BSA Stand Up Paddleboarding New in June 2013 Introduced at 2013 National Jamboree Sponsored by ACA Brochure, flyer, certificate, patch Purpose The BSA Stand Up Paddleboarding award introduces Scouts to the basics of stand up paddleboarding (SUP) on calm water, including skills, equipment, self rescue, and safety precautions. This award also encourages Scouts to develop paddling skills that promote fitness and safe aquatics recreation

BSA Stand Up Paddleboarding Who Can Earn This Award? Earned by Boy Scouts, Varsity Scouts, Venturers, Sea Scouts, and Explorers, and adult leaders in these programs.

BSA Stand Up Paddleboarding Counselors Any person recognized as a SUP instructor by the ACA or equivalent organization may serve as a counselor for this award, with the approval of the local council. An ACA Level 1 or Level 2 Stand Up Paddleboarding Assessment Course or ACA Instructor certification is strongly recommended. A person experienced in SUP skills and safety may serve as a counselor in a BSA summer camp program under the direction of a currently certified BSA Aquatics Instructor

BSA Stand Up Paddleboarding Requirements Available online at Scouting.org https://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/OutdoorProgram/Aquatics/forms.aspx Also found in Aquatics Supervision Manual, Latest Edition - Page 310. Primary Resource Aquatics Supervision Manual, Latest Edition Chapter 18: Stand Up Paddleboarding Stand Up Paddleboarding Brochure (BSA_SUP_Award.pdf) Stand Up Paddleboarding Flyer (430-121)

Whitewater Rafting, BSA BSA’s newest aquatics award Announced in June 2017 Rolled out at 2017 National Jamboree Purpose Many Scouting units participate in rafting trips conducted by outfitters or councils. A new aquatics award, Whitewater Rafting BSA, recognizes the challenge and adventure of such activities.

Whitewater Rafting, BSA Who Can Earn This Award? Earned by Boy Scouts, Varsity Scouts, Venturers, Sea Scouts, and Explorers, and adult leaders in these programs.

Whitewater Rafting, BSA Counselors Any adult leader, approved by the council, who is trained in Safety Afloat and can personally verify that all instruction and skill completions were directly supervised by a professionally trained or licensed rafting guide may serve as a counselor for this award. Such guides may be employed by council high adventure programs or commercial outfitters. Guidance for selecting a reputable rafting service is provided in the BSA publication Aquatics Supervision No 34346.

Whitewater Rafting, BSA Requirements Available online at Scouting.org https://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/OutdoorProgram/Aquatics/forms.aspx Primary Resource https://www.scouting.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/WW-Rafting-brochure-6-28-18.pdf New in June 2018

Aquatics Award Popularity

How do you implement these programs? At camp As part of a year-round aquatics program

Aquatics Supervision Training

Swimming and Water Rescue Designed to meet the needs of unit leaders to provide qualified supervision of unit swimming activities It is strongly recommended that all units have at least one adult or older youth member currently trained in BSA Aquatics Supervision: Swimming and Water Rescue or BSA Lifeguard to assist in planning and conducting all swimming activities.

Paddle Craft Safety It is strongly recommended that all units have at least one adult or older youth member currently trained in BSA Aquatics Supervision: Paddle Craft Safety to assist in the planning and conduct of all activities afloat. At a minimum, instructors for canoes and kayaks should be able to demonstrate the handling and rescue skills required for BSA Aquatics Supervision: Paddle Craft Safety.

How do you implement these trainings? At camp As part of a year-round aquatics program

What would you like changed in these courses?