Boy Scouts of America

Aquatics Resources

Accessing the Training

Aquatics Supervision Guide 

Aquatics Supervision: A leader’s guide to youth swimming and boating activities, formerly only available for purchase from online or storefront Scout Shops, is now available for free digital download and may be printed locally.  The guide supports the BSA Aquatics Supervision Swimming & Water Rescue and Paddle Craft Safety programs and serves as a resource for the aquatics special awards. 

Local Council Aquatics Committee Starter Kit (2022)

Learn about the duties outlined for a Local Council Aquatics Committee and how to integrate their efforts in your local council structure to support all aquatics activities.  

Local Council Swimwear Guidelines

The Local Council Swimwear Recommendations are to aid councils in developing appropriate swimwear guidelines for their aquatics’ programs. The BSA National Aquatics Committee Swimwear Statement:

We recommend that swimwear should be comfortable, functional, and appropriate for the specific aquatic activity. As always, we remind everyone that Scouting’s Barriers to Abuse state, “Appropriate attire is required for all activities”. Policies should reflect the BSA’s statement and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Aquatics Staff Guide  (2022)

This guide was put together by the National Aquatics Task Force to help you, a member of your camp’s aquatics staff, do your job better. You should work with your aquatics director and camp management to use this document as a guide to your development as a staff member.

Aquatics Management Guide(2022)

The BSA Aquatics Management Guide is intended to serve as a guide for those tasked with planning, developing, and delivering aquatics program at all levels of Scouting. It will provide guidance for Camp Management and Aquatics Directors while, at the same time, giving Council and District professionals and volunteers direction in developing exciting and safe aquatics programs.

BSA Lifeguard Application, No. 430-033 

This application is for those who participate and have completed the training for BSA Lifeguard, provided only by someone who is currently trained as BSA Aquatics Instructor or as BSA Lifeguard Instructor.

BSA Lifeguard Instructor Manual (2017) 

The primary purpose of this training program is no longer to provide units with the skills necessary to conduct safe swimming and boating activities. This revised BSA Lifeguard program is now focused on the need to provide professional lifeguards for BSA-operated facilities, council aquatics committees, and year-round aquatics programming with training that meets the requirements of government agencies at regulated swimming venues. The program is open to all registered adults and older youth (age 15 and older). BSA Lifeguard is recommended for aquatics staff lifeguard training and for those who wish to work as lifeguards for BSA year-round aquatics programs, or who are supporting council aquatics committees, as the next step beyond the Aquatics Supervision programs for unit leaders.

Paddle Craft Safety

BSA Paddle Craft Safety expands Safety Afloat training to include the skills and knowledge needed for a unit leader to confidently supervise canoeing or kayaking excursions on flat water. The following materials are required to conduct the course.

Swimming & Water Rescue

Training for BSA Swimming & Water Rescue provides BSA leaders with information and skills to prevent, recognize, and respond to swimming emergencies during unit swimming activities. It expands the awareness instruction provided by Safe Swim Defense training. The following materials are required to conduct the course.

Aquatics Supervision: Swimming & Water Rescue and Paddle Craft Safety Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to questions about the new aquatics courses.

Kayaking BSA

Kayaking BSA provides an introduction to kayaking skills and safety procedures and serves as a program opportunity for Scouts BSA and Venturing units in camp or out.

Safety Afloat

Safety Afloat 
Safety Afloat has been developed to promote boating and boating safety and to set standards for safe unit activity afloat. (Take the course; link below.) 

Safe Swim Defense

Safe Swim Defense 
Safe Swim Defense is a plan for conducting swimming activities in a safe manner. (Take the course; link below.)

Scuba BSA

Scuba BSA introduces qualified Scouts BSA, Venturing, and registered adult participants to the special skills, equipment, and safety precautions associated with scuba diving.

Snorkeling Safety

Snorkeling Safety is the recommended procedure for conducting group snorkeling at a private or public pool, wilderness pond, stream, or wherever the water looks inviting enough to take a dip.

Swim-Classificaiton-record-430-122

To record the classification of nonswimmers, beginners, and swimmers.

Boardsailing BSA Award Application

 

Lifeguard CPR/AED & First Aid Equivalencies 

 

National Aquatics Workshop Materials

Here are some of the presentations from the 2018 AQUATICS WORKSHOP at the Florida Sea Base. The workshop included great discussions about current aquatics areas of focus and a sharing of ideas. Many of the presentations made during the workshop are listed in the resource section below. We hope you gained good information and a renewed perspective for aquatics programs in your council.

1. PowerPoint update of Aquatics Activity Awards and Aquatics Supervision

2. North Florida Council Aquatics Camp

3. Red Cross Aquatics Updates

4. National Capital Area Council Aquatics Programs flyer

5. Sea Scouts Today presentation

6 24th World Scout Jamboree Aquatics Update

7. American Canoe Association Paddlesports Statistics and Updates

Here are some still relevant sessions from the 2016 AQUATICS WORKSHOP

1. New and Creative Aquatics Programs and Best Practices From Councils

2.  New Cub Scout Aquatics Program and Requirements      

3. Important American Red Cross/BSA Agreements and Programs 

4. Health and Safety Moments and Incident Reporting

5. A Great Eagle Scout “Loaner Lifejacket” Project

6. List of Aquatics Merit Badge Review Dates and Lead Subject Matter Experts

7. Moving Water Promo Video

Bray Barnes

Director, Global Security Innovative
Strategies

Bray Barnes is a recipient of the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award, Silver
Beaver, Silver Antelope, Silver Buffalo, and Learning for Life Distinguished
Service Award. He received the Messengers of Peace Hero award from
the royal family of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and he’s a life member of
the 101st Airborne Association and Vietnam Veterans Association. Barnes
serves as a senior fellow for the Global Federation of Competitiveness
Councils, a nonpartisan network of corporate CEOs, university presidents, and
national laboratory directors. He has also served as a senior executive for the
U.S. Department of Homeland Security, leading the first-responder program
and has two U.S. presidential appointments

David Alexander

Managing Member Calje

David Alexander is a Baden-Powell Fellow, Summit Bechtel Reserve philanthropist, and recipient of the Silver Buffalo and Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. He is the founder of Caljet, one of the largest independent motor fuels terminals in the U.S. He has served the Arizona Petroleum Marketers Association, Teen Lifeline, and American Heart Association. A triathlete who has completed hundreds of races, Alexander has also mentored the women’s triathlon team at Arizona State University.

Glenn Adams

President, CEO & Managing Director
Stonetex Oil Corp.

Glenn Adams is a recipient of the Silver Beaver, Silver Antelope, Silver Buffalo, and Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. He is the former president of the National Eagle Scout Association and established the Glenn A. and Melinda W. Adams National Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year Award. He has more than 40 years of experience in the oil, gas, and energy fields, including serving as a president, owner, and CEO. Adams has also received multiple service awards from the Texas Alliance of Energy Producers.