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by **Chief J** » Wed Oct 20, 2004 11:32 pm

A little late in my post, but our troop rents the pool at the local YMCA about four times a year. Cost is about $80.00 an hour on Saturday or Sunday afternoon. I grew up in Erie, PA on the lake and spent most of my youth in the lake. Was on a swim team in high school and worked through college as a lifeguard. Several of my ASM's are also avid swimmers and lifeguards, as well as my Troop Guide. Despite this, I have one or two scouts who cannot complete the swimmer's test (yet).

When we first started with him about a year ago, he was afraid of the water. However, we have worked with him one on one and encouraged him at every outing and he is coming along. This past summer he passed his Beginner's swim test and is gaining the confidence to go further. It is alot of persistance and practice. I agree that the requirements cannot be waived unless there is a physical condition that prohibits (not the case).

The scout's mother was fairly vocal about him not being able to swim and that the requirements should be changed or waived. We have all stuck to our guns and said no, but we would work with him, and that is what we do.

I found in teaching, it is sometimes better to do it on the side of the pool and walk the student through the motions. Have him lay on the floor next to the pool and go through the trokes required. Then introduce them to the shallow end of the pool and begin to work on stroke technique where they can stand up if necessary.

Hope this helps.
Chief J

by **wagionvigil** » Thu Oct 21, 2004 7:23 am

Remind Mom the rules cannot be changed except for Mentally challenged or physicially challenged scouts. Not being able to learn to swim does not meet this. ALso I have never in over 35 years as an aquatics counselor found anyone that truly could not learn to swim. It may take work but they can swim.

by **cubbobwhite** » Thu Oct 21, 2004 9:22 am

Swimming is an important lifeskill. Here in Michigan, there is a lake within 15 miles of where ever you are.

The school district from which my sons graduated requires passing a swimming class as one of the PE requirements. The recreation department offers free lessons starting with infants.

by **Rick Tyler** » Thu Oct 21, 2004 11:18 am

wagionvigil wrote:Remind Mom the rules cannot be changed except for Mentally challenged or physicially challenged scouts. Not being able to learn to swim does not meet this. ALso I have never in over 35 years as an aquatics counselor found anyone that truly could not learn to swim. It may take work but they can swim.

When my older son was an 10-and-a-half-year-old new Scout he had trouble with the swimming requirements because he sank. Like a rock. Working as hard as he could, he might be able to keep his head above water. Fortunately, we attended summer camp at Camp Parsons, where swimming is done in the Hood Canal, which is salt water. He earned Swimming MB that first year. This last summer -- at age 15 -- he got his Mile Swim award.

Even the kids that struggle at 11 are going to be able to swim eventually. (And yes, I know some boys have physical disabilities. That's not who I was writing about.)

by **hungryman287** » Tue Nov 02, 2004 9:15 am

I know how they boys feel. I was once a scout that couldnt swim at all. After about 1 year of swimming lessons i still had trouble. Are they trying to learn the front crawl? I found that to be very hard, so I went with the side stroke. and for the back float if he sinks, he should put is arms out streatched over his head.

Good luck to them.

by **Chief J** » Mon Nov 22, 2004 10:35 am

A quick update on my "Non-swimming scout" and his mom who wanted the rules changed. We had a Troop Swim Party yesterday at a local pool, and he finished his swimmer's test.

The look on his face at his accomplishment is what it is all about.

Looking forward to his SM Conference and Board of Review.

-Chief J

by **wagionvigil** » Mon Nov 22, 2004 10:38 am

Fantastic!!!

by **evmori** » Mon Nov 22, 2004 10:42 am

The look on his face at his accomplishment is what it is all about.

Exactly! Congrats to the Scout!

by **dparker** » Mon Dec 06, 2004 1:18 pm

Holy thread resurrection, Batman! Sorry for not responding in so long. My work decided to send me to France for 5 weeks, so I spent a couple of weeks getting ready and a couple more getting caught up when I got back. Then there were the holidays....

Anyway, the younger brother has now completed all requirements for 2C & 1C, except the swimming ones, just like his brother. I sent the idea for the District event to the DE, but no response. I have found an adult who is a teacher and swimmer (Waterpolo team in HS, Swimming MB counselor, etc) who is willing to go with me down to the local gym (we both have memberships) to teach the boys. It's not an ideal solution, but it's the best I can do for now.

MeritBadgeDotOrg/User:RWSmith · by **RWSmith** » Mon Dec 06, 2004 3:27 pm

Welcome back, DP.

BTW, while you were over there, did you finally inform the French that the world is not flat? Enquiring minds want to know.

by **dparker** » Mon Dec 06, 2004 6:42 pm

RWSmith wrote:Welcome back, DP.

BTW, while you were over there, did you finally inform the French that the world is not flat? Enquiring minds want to know.

I don't get it, but I have been accused of being kind of thick sometimes!

MeritBadgeDotOrg/User:RWSmith · by **RWSmith** » Fri Dec 10, 2004 8:26 pm

Just a joke... that's all. It came to mind, so it wrote it down, and left it, un-edited. I do that once in a while. :wink:

http://members.cox.net/scouting179 · by **Scouting179** » Mon Dec 13, 2004 8:40 am

Swimming is a basic survival/life skill. Everyone should know how to swim and the waiver for 2nd/1st is only supposed to be used when there is a medical reason they can't swim. I am an Advanced Scuba Instructor and also have taught swimming. MOST (not all) of the cases I've seen of people who have trouble with basic swimming skills are where the person merely need time to comfortable in the water. Once they do that, they virutally always can pass the 1st Class swimmer test.

FYI, on a historical note, up until 1972-73, Swimming and Lifesaving MBs were required for Eagle and there were no optional MBs, you got those two MBs or you didn't make Eagle.

MeritBadgeDotOrg/User:RWSmith · by **RWSmith** » Mon Dec 13, 2004 11:16 am

Scouting179 wrote:Swimming is a basic survival/life skill. Everyone should know how....

Hmm, in that case, Wilderness Survival should also be required. No?

by **wagionvigil** » Mon Dec 13, 2004 11:26 am

At the 2001 NJ there were scouts getting petitions signed to make WS a required MB. I would like to see it required and I would want to see Swimming and Lifesaving required With NO optional MB.Oh by the way I don't want to hear agruments for the way it is now or it will eliminate boys from Eagle. I do not care! AT one time ALl Eagle Scouts had great swimming and lifesaving skills. It should still be that way.

MeritBadgeDotOrg/User:RWSmith · by **RWSmith** » Mon Dec 13, 2004 11:32 am

Thanks, Waigon, that's the sort of response I was hoping to elicit.

http://members.cox.net/scouting179 · by **Scouting179** » Mon Dec 13, 2004 2:51 pm

RWSmith wrote:
Scouting179 wrote:Swimming is a basic survival/life skill. Everyone should know how....

Hmm, in that case, Wilderness Survival should also be required. No?

I wouldn't object to it, but the problem would be where do you draw the line on what is/isn't required? We all have our opinions and the MBs on the required list have changed MULTIPLE times over the years.

Former required MBs with no options: Pioneering, Bird Study (when ID of 100 birds was required, not a mere 10), Nature, Athletics (what if the kid's not a jock?), Public Health, Cooking, Pathfinding, Safety, and others.

by **Jvass** » Fri Apr 22, 2005 2:24 pm

It can take more then a week of summer camp to learn how to swim.
In fact some children have to take the same leasons several times.
You seem to be doing all you can.

I would ask around for a good program near there home.
A YMCA would be a good place to start. Any good Red cross program would be good.

They are a little late in learning the basics but people learn at any age.

If the never learn how to swim it tough to advance in scouts.
Maybe you should point that out.

by **Mick Scouter** » Fri Apr 22, 2005 10:19 pm

Jvass,

I believe you were trying to answer the original thread question. Is that true? Regardless, I agree with you. You do not learn to swim in a week and pass the MB. The swimming MB program can help a boy learn to understand what he needs to do. Also it can be that springboard to learning how to achieve the MB by taking lessons elsewhere.

by **Woodbadgegirl** » Sat Apr 23, 2005 8:24 pm

Agreed! I really want them to learn the skill as I believe everyone should know how to swim. The older boy is 17, so Eagle is out of the question now, but would still like him to learn.

I may be wrong, but I think the swimming merit badge is no longer the only required merit badge for Eagle. I think you have a choice between Swimming or Hiking or Cycling. You get to choose one of the three and can still get your Eagle.

I think if he has everything else, he can still get Eagle.

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