Strengthen Your Skills in the Water

Swimming is an essential life skill that combines physical fitness, water safety, and confidence. Scouts will refine their swimming techniques, build endurance, and learn how to respond safely to common aquatic situations.

This course includes supervised swimming exercises in Lake Allatoona. Participants must already be comfortable swimming in deep water and demonstrating multiple strokes. Swimming Merit Badge is not a learn-to-swim class.

Swimming Strokes & Endurance

Scouts must correctly demonstrate five swimming strokes and complete a continuous 150-yard swim using the following:

• Front crawl or trudgen — 25 yards
• Back crawl — 25 yards
• Sidestroke — 25 yards
• Breaststroke — 25 yards
• Elementary backstroke — 50 yards

Scouts should practice these strokes before class, focusing on proper technique, breathing, and endurance.

Additional Skills You'll Practice

• Safe swimming practices and aquatic risk awareness
• Reaching and throwing rescue techniques
• Survival floating and resting positions
• Surface diving and underwater object retrieval
• Safe diving techniques under instructor supervision
• Understanding the health and fitness benefits of swimming

Prepare Before Class

Scouts should read the Swimming Merit Badge pamphlet and review the official requirements before attending. Be prepared to discuss Safe Swim Defense, common swimming hazards, first aid, and the importance of physical fitness.

The merit badge counselor may email additional prerequisites or discussion assignments approximately one week before class. Scouts should complete these preparations in advance to allow more time for practical instruction.

Before You Arrive: Required Preparation & Safety

Swimming Merit Badge requires strong swimming skills, physical endurance, and careful attention to waterfront safety. Scouts and parents should review the following requirements before registering to ensure participants are prepared for the demands of the course.

Annual Health and Medical Record

Every Scout must bring a printed, completed, and parent- or guardian-signed Scouting America Annual Health and Medical Record (Parts A and B). Digital copies are not accepted. Incomplete forms must be corrected before class begins, and Scouts cannot participate without the required medical documentation.

Download the Annual Health and Medical Record

Swimmer Classification Required

Before beginning the Swimming Merit Badge's practical requirements, Scouts must successfully complete the Scouting America Swim Classification Test and qualify as a Swimmer.

The Swimmer test includes:

• Jump feetfirst into water over the head in depth and return to the surface.
• Swim 75 yards using one or more strong forward strokes, such as crawl, breaststroke, sidestroke, or trudgen.
• Continue swimming for 25 yards using an easy, resting backstroke.
• Complete the full 100 yards continuously, including at least one sharp turn.
• After completing the swim, demonstrate the ability to rest by floating.

Important: Scouts must be comfortable swimming in lake water, including areas where they cannot see the bottom. Dog paddling does not satisfy the required stroke standard. Scouts who cannot qualify as Swimmers will not be permitted to continue with the practical swimming requirements.

Swimming Endurance & Deep-Water Skills

The Swimming Merit Badge requires considerably more than passing the Swimmer classification test. Scouts must complete a continuous 150-yard swim using five different strokes, demonstrate floating and survival techniques, and perform underwater skills.

Surface diving exercises require retrieving objects from deep water. The course also includes supervised diving activities. Scouts should be comfortable submerging, swimming underwater, and returning safely to the surface.

Physical readiness matters. Scouts who are not yet proficient in all five swimming strokes or are uncomfortable in deep water should practice these skills before enrolling.

Required Footwear & Swimwear

Closed-toed shoes are mandatory for everyone at Allatoona Aquatics Base, including Scouts, parents, and visitors. Flip-flops, sandals, and Crocs are not permitted. Closed-toed water shoes are recommended for waterfront activities.

Scouts should wear comfortable, functional, and modest swimwear suitable for active swimming. Brightly colored swimsuits that are easier to see in lake water are recommended for safety.

Waterfront Safety & Supervision

All swimming activities are conducted under the supervision of qualified aquatics staff and merit badge counselors. Scouts must follow Safe Swim Defense procedures, the buddy system, and all instructor directions.

Water conditions, weather, and visibility may affect scheduled activities. Swimming and diving exercises may be delayed, modified, or canceled when conditions are unsafe.

What to Bring

• Printed and signed Annual Health and Medical Record, Parts A and B
• Closed-toed water shoes suitable for waterfront activities
• Appropriate swimwear and a towel
• Change of dry clothing
• Refillable water bottle and sunscreen
• Packed lunch and snacks — food is not sold at the base
• Hat, sunglasses, and weather-appropriate clothing
• Swimming Merit Badge pamphlet and completed prerequisites
• Scout handbook, if seeking additional rank requirement sign-offs

Check-In & Arrival

Check-in begins at 8:00 AM at the Main Pavilion. Please arrive on time with all required forms and supplies.

Allatoona Aquatics Base
200 Lovingood Drive
Woodstock, GA 30189

Upon entering camp, continue past the Ranger's residence and equipment sheds. The Main Pavilion will be on your right, with parking nearby and overflow parking across from the lot entrance.

Observe the posted 12 MPH speed limit, follow camp staff directions, and remember that pets are not permitted.

Put Your Swimming Skills to the Test

Earning the Swimming Merit Badge requires Scouts to demonstrate swimming proficiency, water safety knowledge, endurance, and practical rescue skills. Each requirement must be completed to the satisfaction of the merit badge counselor.

The merit badge may be completed during the scheduled class if all requirements are successfully demonstrated and conditions permit. Scouts who need additional practice or cannot complete every requirement may receive partial completion and finish their outstanding requirements later.

An Eagle-Required Merit Badge

Swimming is one of the merit badges that can satisfy an Eagle Scout rank requirement. Scouts may earn Swimming, Hiking, or Cycling to fulfill this portion of their advancement.

Additional Rank Advancement Opportunities

Some Second Class and First Class swimming and water safety requirements may also be covered during the course. Scouts interested in these opportunities should bring their Scout handbook so applicable requirements can be reviewed and signed off.

Prepare for Success

Practice all five swimming strokes, strengthen your endurance, and become comfortable with surface diving and floating techniques before attending. Arriving prepared will help you focus on demonstrating the skills required to complete the merit badge.

Registration & Important Policies

Advance registration is required, and class sizes are limited. Before registering, confirm that your Scout meets the swimming proficiency requirements and is physically prepared for the course.

Class Changes & Cancellations

Under the previously published event policy, final payments and attendance numbers are due 10 days before the event. Substitutions and class changes are not permitted after this deadline.

Refund Policy

The previously published policy provides a full refund for cancellations made at least 12 days before the scheduled class. Cancellations within 11 days of the event are not guaranteed a refund and are subject to Council discretion.

All class changes, cancellations, and refund requests must be submitted by email. Requests cannot be accepted by telephone.

Email: aacaquaticsmbdays@gmail.com

Every Stroke Builds Confidence!

Strengthen your swimming abilities, master essential water safety skills, and take another step toward Eagle Scout. Get ready to earn your Swimming Merit Badge at Allatoona Aquatics Base!

Registration Contact

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