Mile Swim BSA

Scouts who swim a mile under the supervision of a certified BSA Aquatics Instructor may be presented with the Mile Swim BSA award. The patch is meant to be worn on swim trunks, on the left side.

The award may be earned by members of Scouts BSA, Venturers, and their adult leaders.

Mile Swim BSA Requirements

Explain how regular exercise contributes to good health and why swimming is one of the best forms of exercise.
- Exercise lowers several risk factors for heart disease, including high blood pressure, being overweight, and high cholesterol.
- Exercise also results in stronger bones.
- Swimming is to some degree superior to other forms of exercise because it is a full-body exercise.
- It also avoids the risk of damage to joints and other parts of the body that may result from activity such as running.
- See the printable copy below for more details.
Tell what precautions and procedures a swimmer and escort must follow for distance swimming over open water.
- You must follow all of the requirements of Safe Swim Defense.
- Courses over extended distances in open water must conform to Safe Swim Defense guidelines regarding hazards such as submerged trees, currents, or boat traffic, as well as water quality, depth, and clarity.
- See the printable copy below for more details.
Under the supervision of a currently qualified certified aquatics instructor, BSA or equivalent, participate in 4 hours of training and preparation for distance swimming (1 hour a day maximum).
- The participant must first prepare before swimming a continuous mile.
- Four conditioning sessions of an hour each are appropriate.
Swim 1 mile over a measured course that has been approved by the trained instructor who will supervise the swim.
- After preparing, you can attempt to swim the mile.
- Normally this is done at summer camp.
- You might swim many short loops in a swimming pool, or a longer circuit in a lake.