Swim test

[summertop]

Pretty much each of your troops are planning a week long summer camp for the boys. Most (All?) of the BSA sponsored camps have an aquatics program. Swimming, boating, sailing, canoing, etc. To participate, the scouts and leaders must pass the "Swim Test".

I have found it much easier to go to a local pool and have a life guard administer the swim test. I do this a week or two before we go to camp.

That way, the check in process is much easier. You don't have to hurry and set up camp so you can get to the camp's swim test. You don't have to wait in the line with every other troop wanting to be tested.

Just contact the camp and make sure they will accept your swim test. The camps in my council generally will accept it if it is done by a certified life guard that is not associated with the troop. The scoutmaster can't administer the test. Also, the test needs to be done right before camp. If you do the test more than a month early, the camp might not accept it.

[Mrw]

I am pretty sure our camp will not accept an outside test.

[cballman]

as long as the person that is a BSA lifeguard it does not matter if they are affiliated with the home troop or not. I will give the boys the swim test before camp and the camp has had no problem with me giving the test for my troop. I as a lifeguard have taken the course to help protect the kids and if a camp will not accept that then I will have a little talk with what they think is right and wrong with it.

[wagionvigil]

Our camp has Asked troops to get tested before they come in if possible for the past 10 years at least

[evmori]

We have done the test prior to camp.

We need to remember, it is still the waterfront directors decision to accept the outside test. They might not.

[jr56]

We have never tried to do this, but if the camp will accept it, it sounds like a good idea.

[wagionvigil]

It really save alot of time o0n check in day and the staff is not as rushed and pressured

[Lynda J]

Our troop has gone to four different camps in three councils and all have accepted the YMCA swim test sign off sheet.

[FrankJ]

The camp we went to last year would not accept pre-tests. It is really up to the camp director. Both of the camps that I have been to used the swim test time to review medical forms.

[cballman]

then I will ask a bad question then why does the BSA certify Lifeguards if they cannot do swimtest before camp? I hate to be the bad guy here but since I took the time to do the class at camp they should not have any question.

[evmori]

then I will ask a bad question then why does the BSA certify Lifeguards if they cannot do swimtest before camp? I hate to be the bad guy here but since I took the time to do the class at camp they should not have any question.

Like everything else, just because someone is t rained in something doesn't mean they know what they are doing. The waterfront at camp is the responsibility of the waterfront director.

[cballman]

Having thought about it for a while. the best way to go about this is to contact the camp director and ask them if it is alright to administer the swim test before camp. ask for an email answer so that if there is any question as to what was said then it is in black and white. also if you let a lifeguard other than someone in your troop administer the swim test then it would be best to get a copy of their current lifeguard certificate to attach to the swim test papers. while not every camp will accept a pre camp swim test it is best to check ahead of time. then you can get the camp setup for the rest of the week.

[RWSmith]

It's been my experience that the Camp Director will usually defer to the Waterfront Director regarding what manner, if any, pre-camp Swim Tests will be accepted.

That being said, a Waterfront Director should be happy to accept a Unit Swim Classification Record perfromed by a BSA or ARC Lifeguard, with a copy of the BSA or ARC Lifeguard's credentials attached. As CB said, it would be a good idea to contact the Waterfront Director (or Council, Camp, Camp Director) in advance to clear the way... as a courtesy, so to speak. In any event, the Waterfront Director ALWAYS retains the right to re-check any or all persons presenting for a Buddy Tag.

[FrankJ]

Both summer camps I have been involved with had their policy on pre camp swim tests in the camp leader packet. Asking the camp director works too.

(One didn't allow it & the other reserved the right to review them.)

[RWSmith]

Also, FWIW, this is the best Pre-camp Swim Check from I've found... http://www.firemtn.org/forms/swimcheck.pdf

Granted, it's designed for their own camp's use; but, it covers all the bases. In fact, it's so good, I kinda wish National would use it as a template for a standardized form.

[cballman]

that is a good form but also troopmaster can print off pretty much the same thing. but not with all the req. listed out like the form. troopmaster just prints out the level of swim test.

[hacimsaalk]

i prefer to take it out of camp (with my troop) when we go to camp. this yr, we arent, so we havent taken it yet. it just makes things go faster, and you dont have to jump in the freezing pool water, then run back to camp, throw on the "class A" and run to the parade ground for the flag lowering.