Since the inception of Scouting, learning to swim and engaging in aquatics activities have been core to the program. More than 1.5 million aquatics-related merit badges have been earned by Scouting America since 2009. Scouting America has also been a leader in promoting and providing training in aquatics safety. For at least 80 years, checklists have been in place to make sure those aquatic experiences are positive ones. Back in the 1940s there was the seven-defense method, a precursor to today’s Safe Swim Defense.

RESOURCES

• Aquatics Safety—The Scouting America Way
• Guide to Safe Scouting
• Safe Swim Defense and Safety Afloat Training: MyScouting.org