canoe merit badge

[diamondbackAPL]

I'm thinking about doing canoeing merit badge at summer camp this year. does anybody have any feedback on how hard it is or how much fun it is?

[wagionvigil]

All aquatic MB are fun Canoeing does take some skill But you can do it at camp if you practice during open boating. Read the MB book Now so you will be ready.

[diamondbackAPL]

thanks wagion.

I have the scout fieldbook and it has a chapter on canoeing. I'm wondering if that is enough or if I need to buy the merit badge book.

[wagionvigil]

READ THE MERIT BADGE BOOK

[RWSmith]

Take it. It's hard and easy, too. But, it's 100% fun! Take it.

P.S. Do what Wagion said, too.

[Scouting179]

Canoeing was my favorite MB when I was a youth.

You should have passed the First Class swim test before you start, even better if you have Swimming MB.

[cballman]

At the camp we go to the leaders guide recommends that this badge is not for the new scout or the tenderfoot who may not have the physical strength to complete some of the requirements. must be a swimmer. also this is a 1 1\2 hour class. so IMHO if you have earned the swimming MB and have no problem picking up a canoe then by all means give it your all. but if you have problems picking up a canoe then you might want to think about another MB this summer but dont give up canoeing is one of the greatest things you can learn.

[diamondbackAPL]

thanks everybody.

yes, I am classified a swimmer and have almost completed the swimming merit badge.

[Lynda J]

Summer camp is a great place to take Canoeing. All my boys that haven't already earned it want to do it this summer.

[Mrw]

One of our boys favorites. Take it at summer camp unless you have a merit badge counselor and canoes and a couple buddies also interested in the troop. Some of the requirements need more than one involved.

I seem to remember that CPR is a requirement as well, so make sure you have evidence of current certification.

(The answer is ALWAYS to get the merit badge pamphlet. Some counselors will fail you as a matter of principle if you couldn't bother to get and read the book.)

[optimist]

Please keep in mind that while CPR certification will satisfy Canoeing merit badge's requirements, certification is not required for any merit badge. Merit badges that have CPR requirements only require good knowledge of the reasons for performing CPR and a demonstration of proper technique.

The only advancement program requirements that mandate CPR certification are those for the BSA Lifeguard award.

[wagionvigil]

If you have practiced CPR at a meeting it counts. Most Scout Camps offer CPR during the week for anyone interested. At leaset ours does. Our Camp Dir and the CAmp Paramedic are both instructors.

[ASM-142]

The requirement states "Demonstrate the proper technique for performing CPR using a training device approved by your counselor. " If this is not done in front of the counselor then it should not count.

[wagionvigil]

If a SM come to me and states that the Boys have met the requirement I take his word for it,"A Scout Is Trustworthy"

[optimist]

It says "approved by your counselor" not in front of your counselor. I don't see why a counselor would disapprove of the standard dummy used in CPR certification classes just because it wasn't used in front of him.

[ASM-142]

I agree totally. At summercamp last year I was told that the CPR requirement had to be done by the scouts during the canoeing MB class even though they all had already earned the 1st Aid MB which included CPR.

As far as accepting a letter from the SM. That would depend upon the qualifications of the SM. It would be hard for a SM to state that a scout satisfied a CPR requirement if he/she himself/herself is not qualified in CPR.

[Mrw]

We require our boys to take the CPR class taught by the fire department for it to be signed off for any merit badges.

This is the same class they offer to the community on a monthly basis. Sometimes the boys go to their regular class and sometimes they do a special for us. It depends on how many kids need to be there.

I would have to argue with anyone who wouldn't accept the certified trainers class completion card as evidence the scout has practiced CPR.

[ICanCanoeCanU]

Well you know what I'm going to say about taking the badge, don't you?

It's a blast and yes, yes, yes, take the badge. Most summer camps hold a session of CPR for all waterfront badges.

[diamondbackAPL]

does anyone know if the new canoeing book has been issued yet?

I went to the scoout store and bought it and when I got home, I realized that they gave me an outdated book.

[PaulSWolf]

does anyone know if the new canoeing book has been issued yet?

I went to the scoout store and bought it and when I got home, I realized that they gave me an outdated book.

Yes, the new book was issued earlier this year. I got a copy from National Supply. Check back with the Scout Store. They should be able to get it for you, and exchange the one you got.