Swimming and the Trail to Eagle
Swimming is Eagle-required as part of a choice group. Every Eagle Scout must earn Swimming, Hiking, or Cycling. Earning Swimming satisfies that requirement. If you also earn another badge from the same group, it counts as one of your 8 elective badges.
Swimming Merit Badge Requirements
Summary of the 9 main requirements for Swimming. Always confirm the exact wording with your counselor or the current official BSA requirements.
- 1
Do the following:
- a.Explain to your counselor how Scouting's Safe Swim Defense plan anticipates, helps prevent and mitigate, and provides responses to likely hazards you may encounter during swimming activities.
- b.Discuss the prevention and treatment of health concerns that could occur while swimming.
- 2
Before doing the following requirements, successfully complete the Scouting America swimmer test.
- 3
Correctly perform the following strokes: front crawl or trudgen, back crawl, sidestroke, breaststroke, and elementary backstroke.
- 4
Swim continuously for 150 yards in a strong manner using each of the following strokes in any order.
- 5
Do the following:
- a.Demonstrate water rescue methods by reaching, throwing lines, and throwing objects.
- b.With a helper and a practice victim, show a line rescue both as tender and as rescuer.
- 6
Do the following:
- a.Float faceup in a resting position for at least three minutes with minimal movement.
- b.Demonstrate survival floating for at least five minutes.
- c.While wearing a properly fitted U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket, demonstrate the HELP and huddle positions.
- d.Explain why swimming or survival floating will hasten the onset of hypothermia in cold water.
- 7
In water over your head, but not to exceed 10 feet, do the following: use the feetfirst method of surface diving, do a headfirst surface dive, and do a headfirst surface dive to a depth of at least 5 feet.
- 8
Following the guidelines set in the Scouting America Safe Swim Defense, show a standing headfirst dive from a dock or pool deck.
- 9
Explain the health benefits of regular aerobic exercise, and discuss why swimming is favored as both fitness and therapeutic exercise.
Merit badge names and emblems are trademarks of Scouting America (Boy Scouts of America). Eagle Compass is an independent tool and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Scouting America. Requirements are summarized for planning purposes; the official requirements are authoritative.
How to Earn the Swimming Merit Badge
1. Get a blue card and a counselor
Ask your Scoutmaster for approval to start Swimming, then find a registered merit badge counselor for it through your troop or council.
2. Plan around the setting
Swimming is usually earned summer camp or outdoor event. Summer camp and merit badge weekends are the most common places to finish it.
3. Budget the time
Expect about 2 weeks for a challenging badge like this one. Working with a partner or at a merit badge clinic can shorten it.
4. Track every requirement
Keep notes as you complete each item so your counselor can sign off without re-doing work. Eagle Compass tracks all 17 Swimming requirements for you.
Swimming Merit Badge FAQ
Is the Swimming merit badge required for Eagle Scout?
Yes, as part of a choice group. To earn Eagle, a scout must earn Swimming, Hiking, or Cycling. Swimming satisfies that requirement, and any other badge from the group can count as one of the 8 electives.
How long does the Swimming merit badge take?
Most scouts finish Swimming in about 2 weeks, depending on counselor availability and how the requirements are scheduled.
Where do scouts usually earn the Swimming merit badge?
Swimming is most often earned summer camp or outdoor event. Any registered merit badge counselor for Swimming can sign off requirements.
How many requirements does the Swimming merit badge have?
Swimming has 9 main requirements with 8 sub-requirements, for 17 items in total.
