Now that you’re trained, what can Cub Scouts actually do on the water? Here’s a summary of allowable activities for Cub Scout packs: All boating activities likewise must be supervised by at least two adults, one (and preferably all) with current Safety Afloat training. Common sense, though, dictates that as many adults as possible should complete Safe Swim Defense training – and it should go without saying (but I’ll say it anyway) that they complete Youth Protection Training as well. Safe Swim Defense training, completed within the last two years, is required of at least one adult supervising swimming activities, or even non-swimming activities where the water is over knee-deep or there is a risk of submersion. There are two primary unit volunteer training courses for aquatics, and they’re both available online: Safe Swim Defense and Safety Afloat.Īt least two adults are required to supervise any swimming activity – at backyard, public and hotel pools, beaches, lakes, rivers and oceans, whether or not a lifeguard is present. While we no longer have tour permits or tour plans, the requirements for adult leaders to be appropriately trained are still in force. There’s always a catch, though, but it’s not a big deal and isn’t anything you wouldn’t expect. (And yes, I know some of you have been boating as a purportedly unaffiliated “family” activity to get around the BSA’s safety rules.) And while most water activities – the more rigorous and risky ones – are still restricted to Boy Scouts and older, Cub Scouts of all ages can now go canoeing, rowboating and paddle boating – the very things they’ve been doing with their families all along. In April of this year, however, the rules for Cub Scout aquatics changed to allow a range of activities permitted at the unit level. You’re probably aware that Cub Scouts weren’t supposed to go canoeing, kayaking or rowing unless it’s at a camp or program operated by the Boy Scouts of America or your local council – but not as an activity conducted by your pack.
But certain activities have traditionally been off limits or restricted for various age groups because of safety, training, or other considerations. So do aquatics like swimming and boating. Fishing, archery and hiking all come to mind. When you think about Scouting, you think about doing things in the great outdoors.