When I was a Boy Scout in central Alaska, I worked hard on the Canoeing merit badge. There weren't a lot of places to use a canoe aside from our Scout camp--at least for me.
Only problem: I couldn't swim! But they still let another Scout and me spend hours paddling away what I remember as a very large lake. I was out of Scouting by the time I'd learned to swim, so only a partial for me--but a great memory!
[Anyone know if the troop on Eielson Air Force Base, AK still exists?]
Of course, now our Order of the Arrow tap-outs begin with a nice night-time ride in canoes across the lake...always an impressive sight.
As you might expect, this is a very desired merit badge, averaging 40,000+ for the last few years. You must pass the BSA Swim Test as part of the process--so non-swimmers...have plenty of time to learn between now and summer camp!
[Notice that the first four requirements for Canoeing come straight out of the Second Class and First Class requirments.]
Resources
- Basics
- Review the Introduction to Merit Badges from Scouting.org.
- Get the current official requirements.
- Get the worksheet from Usscouts.org.
- Read the merit badge manual.
- Second Class first aid video: click on Second Class and then 6C.
- First Class first aid video: click on First Class and then 8D.
- First Class BSA swim test video: click on First Class and then 9B.
- First Class BSA Safety Afloat video: click on First Class and then 9A.
- BSA online training for Safety Afloat.
- BSA online training for Hazardous Weather.
- Video series to demonstrate different types of strokes for canoeing.
- Paddler Magazine online for canoe and kayak information and adventure
- American Canoe Association including finding a club near you. Their SmartStart Paddling Orientation course plan looks like it would be very handy for teaching canoeing basics in a meeting.
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