Bear Salmon Run Adventure for 2024

Printable requirements for the Bear Salmon Run Adventure

Checkoff sheet to keep track of your den’s progress on the Bear Salmon Run Adventure

Printable check off sheet for the Bear Badge

Swimming Ability Groups

Learn the three swimming ability groups for the Boy Scouts of America and water depths appropriate for each.  

In the Bear Salmon Run Adventure, one key requirement is for Bear Cub Scouts to learn about the three swimming ability groups defined by the Boy Scouts of America. These groups help ensure that scouts swim in areas that match their skill levels, making swimming safer and more enjoyable for everyone.

Here are the three swimming ability groups:

• Non-Swimmer: This group includes anyone who is just starting or is not comfortable in the water. Non-swimmers should stay in water that is chest deep and where they can stand.
• Beginner: Beginners have some swimming skills. They can enter water slightly deeper but should stay where they can easily reach safety. They are tested to swim 25 feet without assistance, showing that they can stay afloat.
• Swimmer: This group is for those who are confident in their swimming abilities. Swimmers can handle deep water and are tested to swim 75 yards in a strong manner and another 25 yards doing a backstroke.

Learn more about the Scouting America swim test and ability groups

Here is an option for fulfilling Bear Salmon Run Adventure requirement 2:

• Swimming Skills Set
  • Cub Scouts learn the three swimming ability groups of the BSA.
  • Supplies:  Swimming Skill game 
  • indoor, very low energy, 1 to 3 days prep

These engaging activities encourage scouts to learn about safe swimming practices while having fun with their peers.

Buddy Up!

Go swimming with your den, pack, or family for 30 minutes using the buddy system. 

For the Bear Salmon Run Adventure, Requirement 3 focuses on going swimming with the den, pack, or family while using the buddy system. The buddy system is a safety measure where two scouts keep an eye on each other at all times during swimming activities. This helps ensure that everyone is safe and accounted for.

• Buddy Check Relay: Organize a relay race where scouts have to swim to a point and back, but before they start, they must perform a buddy check, ensuring their partner is ready and safe.
• Buddy Water Ball Pass: Pairs of buddies pass a water ball back and forth while swimming across the pool. This encourages teamwork and keeps them close together.
• Buddy Mirror Swimming: In this activity, one buddy leads and the other tries to mirror their swimming strokes and movements. This helps them pay close attention to each other.

Here are some options for fulfilling Bear Salmon Run Adventure requirement 3:

• Go Swimming Bear
  • Take your den and go swimming.
  • Supplies:  swimming area, qualified adult supervision, Activity Consent Form, BSA Health and Medical Form, whistles for lifeguards and look outs, buddy tags, buddy board
  • requires travel, very high energy, more than one week prep

These activities not only make swimming more enjoyable but also reinforce the importance of watching out for one another, which is the main goal of the buddy system.

Mastering Safety Together

Demonstrate the use the buddy system, buddy checks, and ability groups with your den or an adult.  

In Requirement 4 of the Bear Salmon Run Adventure, Bear Cub Scouts demonstrate their understanding of the buddy system, buddy checks, and ability groups. This requirement is about showing how well scouts can use these safety measures during swimming activities.

Here is an option for fulfilling Bear Salmon Run Adventure requirement 4:

• Buddies in Swimming
  • Cub Scouts demonstrate the use of the buddy system, buddy checks, and ability groups
  • Supplies:  swimming area, qualified adult supervision, Activity Consent Form, BSA Health and Medical Form, whistles for lifeguards and look outs, buddy tags, buddy board, timer
  • requires travel, high energy, 3 to 5 days prep

The buddy system helps scouts keep an eye on each other, buddy checks ensure everyone is accounted for and safe, and understanding ability groups helps scouts swim in safe areas that match their skills.

Attempting the BSA Beginner Swim Test

Attempt the BSA beginner swim test 

For Requirement 5 of the Bear Salmon Run Adventure, Bear Cub Scouts are encouraged to attempt the BSA beginner swim test. This test is a basic assessment of a scout’s ability to handle themselves safely in the water. The beginner test involves jumping feet-first into water over the head, leveling off, swimming 25 feet on the surface, stopping, turning sharply, resuming swimming, and then returning to a starting point.

Here are some ways scouts practice the skills they need in the shallow section before taking the test:

• Jump and Swim: Scouts practice jumping feet-first into the pool from the side, which is the first part of the beginner test. They can take turns and encourage each other.
• 25-Foot Challenge: Mark out a 25-foot distance in the pool. Scouts practice swimming this length without stopping, using any stroke they feel comfortable with. This helps build their confidence to cover the required distance.
• Turn and Return: After swimming the 25-foot distance, scouts practice a sharp turn and swim back to the start. This part of the test checks their ability to navigate in the water.
• Treading Water Relay: While treading water isn’t part of the beginner test, practicing it can increase endurance and confidence in the water. Set up a fun relay where scouts tread water in one place for a short time before swimming to tag a teammate.
• Race to the Finish: Combine all elements of the test into a mini-race. Scouts complete the jump, swim, turn, and swim back as part of a timed challenge, adding a bit of friendly competition to the practice session.

Here is an option for fulfilling Bear Salmon Run Adventure requirement 5:

• Beginner Swim Test
  • Cub Scouts attempt the BSA beginner swim test.
  • Supplies:  swimming area, qualified adult supervision, Activity Consent Form, BSA Health and Medical Form, whistles for lifeguards and look outs, buddy tags, buddy board
  • requires travel, very high energy, 1 to 3 days prep

These activities help scouts get comfortable with the components of the beginner swim test while ensuring they have fun and stay engaged throughout their practice.

Reach and Throw Rescues

Demonstrate both a reach and throw rescue. 

In Requirement 6 of the Bear Salmon Run Adventure, Bear Cub Scouts must learn and demonstrate two important rescue techniques: the reach rescue and the throw rescue. These are vital skills that can help save someone in distress without putting the rescuer at risk.

Reach Rescue: This method involves reaching out to someone in the water using an object like a stick, towel, or pool noodle. The rescuer stays on dry land or a stable area, ensuring they don’t enter the water and potentially put themselves in danger.

Throw Rescue: This technique is used when the person in distress is too far away to reach without entering the water. The rescuer throws a buoyant object connected to a rope, like a life ring or a floating device, to the person, who can then grab it and be pulled to safety.

• Reach Rescue Relay: Set up a scenario where one scout acts as a person in distress near the edge of the pool. Others take turns using different objects to perform a reach rescue, ensuring they maintain their balance and stay dry.
• Throw Rescue Accuracy Game: Scouts practice throwing a rope or life ring to a target in the water. Points are awarded for accuracy and how close the object lands to the target, simulating a real-life situation where precision can be life-saving.

Here is an option for fulfilling Bear Salmon Run Adventure requirement 6:

• Reach and Throw Rescue
  • Cub Scouts demonstrate the reach rescue and throw rescue.
  • Supplies:  swimming area, qualified adult supervision, Activity Consent Form, BSA Health and Medical Form, whistles for lifeguards and look outs, buddy tags, buddy board, paddle craft paddle
  • requires travel, high energy, 1 to 3 days prep

These activities not only teach valuable lifesaving skills but also make learning them engaging and interactive for the scouts.

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

Swim Test: The swim test is used in Scouting America 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.

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

Sharks and Minnows: This game can be used at your pack pool party or at a meeting focused on swimming skills.

Before any activity, check the SAFE Checklist to make sure everyone is safe. Everyone involved in Scouting America activities should know the Guide to Safe Scouting and other relevant guides or books. Also follow any state or local rules that are more strict than Scouting America rules and guidelines.

Swimming Safety

Every swimming activity must have an adult supervisor who is at least 21 years old. This person should understand and accept the responsibility for the safety of those they are watching. They must also be trained in the BSA Safe Swim Defense’s eight points.

Before starting:

• Finish the 26-minute Safe Swim Defense training.
• Make sure there are enough adult rescuers to have one rescuer for every 10 Cub Scouts.
• Get buddy tags for everyone going into the water, both kids and adults.

During the Salmon Run Adventure:

• Explain the Safe Swim Defense points before starting the activity.
• Keep giving careful and constant adult supervision and maintain order.
• If swimming outside, make sure all Cub Scouts put on sunscreen.

More information

The Bear Salmon Run Adventure is all about helping Bear Cub Scouts get comfortable and safe around water. In this adventure, scouts learn crucial swimming and water safety skills. They start by understanding who can supervise swimming activities and what makes someone a good supervisor.

Scouts then learn about different swimming ability groups. These groups help them know where they can swim safely. They spend time swimming with friends or family, using the buddy system to keep each other safe. They also practice buddy checks and using different ability groups.

One key part of the adventure is attempting the BSA beginner swim test. This test helps scouts see what they can do in the water. They learn two lifesaving techniques too: the reach rescue and the throw rescue. These are ways to help someone in trouble without getting in the water yourself.

Through the Bear Salmon Run Adventure, scouts not only improve their swimming but also learn how to be safe and help others in the water. It’s a fun way to build confidence and learn important skills that can save lives.