Webelos Aquanaut Adventure

Adventure Type: Elective
Number of Requirements: 6
Typical Time to Complete: 1 to 2 meetings, plus swim time
Parent Involvement: Transportation, swim supervision support, health forms
Preparation Needed: Swimming location, qualified supervision, safety review
Activity Level: Moderate to very high
Indoor or Outdoor: Indoor, outdoor
Special Requirements: Swimming area, qualified adult supervision, Buddy System
Supplies Snapshot: Towels, life ring, rescue pole, buddy tags, whistles, blankets, swim gear, Activity Consent Form, BSA Health and Medical Form

The Webelos Aquanaut Adventure helps Scouts become safer and more confident around water. They learn basic swimming skills, water safety rules, and simple ways to respond during emergencies. These activities help them feel more comfortable in and around the water.

Safety is an important part of this adventure. Webelos learn how to prepare for swimming activities and how to help others safely without putting themselves in danger. They also practice teamwork through the Buddy System and learn to watch out for one another.

The Aquanaut Adventure also encourages physical fitness. Swimming, treading water, and practicing for the BSA swimmer test help Scouts build strength and endurance. As they improve their skills, they gain confidence and learn healthy habits they can use throughout their lives.

Webelos Aquanaut Adventure Requirements

This Adventure may be earned by completing the requirements below OR passing the BSA Swimmer Test OR taking swimming lessons from a qualified instructor.

1. State the safety precautions you need to take before doing any swimming  activity.  
2. Explain the meaning of “order of rescue” and demonstrate the reach and throw rescue techniques from land.
3. Learn how to prevent and treat hypothermia.
4. Attempt to tread water.
5. Attempt the BSA swimmer test.
6. Have 30 minutes, or more, of free swim time where you practice the Buddy System and stay within your ability group.  The qualified adult supervision should conduct at least three buddy checks per half hour swimming.  

Printable requirements for the Webelos Aquanaut Adventure

Check off sheet to keep track of your den's progress on the Webelos Aquanaut Adventure

Webelos Adventures Check Off Sheet

Swimming Safety

State the safety precautions you need to take before doing any swimming activity.

Webelos should learn that swimming safely starts before anyone gets in the water. Go over simple rules like swimming with supervision, using the Buddy System, and staying in approved swimming areas. Keep this active by using games or quick demonstrations instead of long talks.

Easy Option:
Use a simple safety matching game or relay race where Scouts match swimming situations with the correct safety rule. See Learning the Swimming Safe Rules.

Water Rescue Techniques

Explain the meaning of “order of rescue” and demonstrate the reach and throw rescue techniques from land.

Teach Scouts that they should help from a safe place instead of jumping into the water. Practice reach rescues with towels or pool noodles and throw rescues with floating objects. Keep the focus on staying calm and getting help from adults quickly.

Easy Option:
Use a rope to mark a “shore”. Provide items for Cub Scouts to practice reaching and throwing. Read more about water rescue techniques.

More resources:

• Order of Rescue Webelos: Cub Scouts learn the order of rescue and practice reach and throw rescue techniques. 

Hypothermia Prevention and Treatment

Learn how to prevent and treat hypothermia.

Webelos do not need medical details. Help them recognize that cold water can become dangerous and teach simple prevention steps like drying off, wearing warm clothes, and getting out of cold water quickly. Show them blankets and emergency gear so they know what to use.

Easy Option:
Bring blankets and dry towels to the meeting and let Scouts practice warming up a pretend victim.

More resources:

• Read more about the prevention and treatment of hypothermia.
• Surviving the Chill: Cub Scouts learn how to prevent and treat hypothermia. 

Learning to Tread Water

Attempt to tread water.

Many Scouts are nervous about this requirement, so make it low pressure. Let them practice in shallow water first and encourage short attempts. Remind them that this is about trying and building confidence.

Easy Option:
Have Scouts practice treading water near the pool wall so they feel more secure. See Treading Skills.

Attempting the Swimmer Test

Attempt the BSA swimmer test.

The goal is to help Scouts understand their current swimming ability. Encourage effort and improvement instead of worrying about passing. Let Scouts know it is normal if they are still beginners.

Easy Option:
Use a local pool’s open swim time and ask a qualified adult swimmer to administer the test. Learn more about the swimmer test here.

The test involves three main parts:

1. Jumping into water over the head in depth, then swimming 75 yards in a strong manner using one or more recognized strokes (such as the front crawl, breaststroke, or sidestroke).
2. Swimming 25 yards using an easy, resting backstroke.
3. The swimmer must then float on their back for one minute.

More resources:

• Safe Swim Defense

Practicing the Buddy System

Have 30 minutes, or more, of free swim time where you practice the Buddy System and stay within your ability group.  The qualified adult supervision should conduct at least three buddy checks per half hour swimming.

This requirement works best when Scouts are moving and having fun. Practice buddy checks several times during swim time so the process feels normal. Remind Scouts that buddies stay together and watch out for each other at all times.

Easy Option:
Play a simple buddy swim game where pairs must stay together while collecting floating objects in the pool.

More resources:

• Go Swimming Webelos: Take your den and go swimming. 

Safe Swim Defense: Safe Swim Defense provides the steps which a BSA unit must take to safely participate in an activity which involves swimming.

BSA Swim Test: The BSA swim test is used to determine ability level so that participants can swim in an area which is appropriate for them.

Water Rescue Methods: Water rescue methods are methods used to rescue someone who is in trouble in the water.

Sharks and Minnows: Here is a game to go with this adventure.

SCOUT Water Safety Chant: This helps Scouts learn the rules for safe aquatics activities.

What do Webelos learn in the Aquanaut Adventure?

Webelos learn how to swim safely, help others in the water, and stay fit.

What is the ‘order of rescue’ they need to learn?

The ‘order of rescue’ means trying to help someone in trouble in the water without entering the water first. They learn to use reach or throw methods from the shore.

How do Webelos practice treading water for the Aquanaut adventure?

They practice staying in one spot in the water, using their arms and legs to keep their head above water.

What is the BSA swimmer test?

The BSA swimmer test checks if a Scout can swim 75 yards using approved strokes, swim 25 yards using a resting backstroke, and float on their back for one minute.

Why do we use the Buddy System in swimming?

The Buddy System pairs up Scouts to keep an eye on each other. It makes sure everyone is safe and helps in case of emergencies.

What should a Webelos do if they are not confident in swimming?

They should start with basic swimming skills and gradually build up. Always swim where a lifeguard or an adult can see them.

How many buddy checks are needed during the swim time?

At least three buddy checks are needed every half hour of swimming.

Can non-swimmers participate in Aquanaut activities?

Yes, non-swimmers can learn and participate in activities that suit their swimming level and help them improve.

The Webelos Aquanaut Adventure is a fun and educational experience designed to teach young Scouts important swimming and safety skills. This adventure focuses on helping Webelos feel comfortable and safe around water. They learn various swimming strokes, safety rules, and rescue techniques.

Firstly, the adventure teaches them to recognize and follow safe swimming practices, ensuring they know what to do before they even get into the water. They discuss the importance of the buddy system, which helps them look out for one another and understand team responsibility.

Next, they explore the “order of rescue” methods, learning how to help someone in trouble without endangering themselves. They practice these rescue techniques on land first, which prepares them for real-life situations. They also learn how to prevent and treat hypothermia, a critical skill for any water activity.

In addition, Webelos attempt the BSA swimmer test, challenging themselves to master different swimming strokes and demonstrate their ability to float and tread water. This test boosts their confidence and swimming capability.

Overall, the Webelos Aquanaut Adventure is not only about swimming—it’s about building fitness, learning teamwork, and developing lifesaving skills that will stay with them for life.