National Outdoor Award Aquatics Segment Requirements
The aquatics segment of the National Outdoor Awards program honors Scouts who spend real time on the water. It encourages swimming, boating, and other safe water skills. It is for Scouts who like to learn, practice, and stay active outdoors.
This segment helps youth build confidence in the water. They learn to swim, help others, and use good judgment. They also learn to care for the water and respect nature. These skills are useful for many other Scouting activities.
A Scout who works on this segment must finish several steps. They earn swimming and lifesaving skills. They spend time paddling or boating. They also complete longer swims and practice safety. Each step helps them grow stronger and more skilled.
The aquatics segment rewards time, effort, and steady practice. Scouts who stay active on the water can add devices to show their hours. These milestones remind them of the work they have done and the fun memories they made outdoors.
Water, Wheels, And A Whole Lot Of Dirt
The National Outdoor Awards program celebrates Scouts who love being outside. It recognizes time spent learning, camping, hiking, paddling, riding, and caring for the land. It is meant for youth who enjoy fresh air and steady effort. It also helps them grow skills that support safe and confident adventures.
The program has six areas. These include camping, aquatics, hiking, riding, adventure, and conservation. Each area has clear steps to follow. Scouts complete activities, learn skills, and build experience. When they complete an area, they earn a segment. These segments fit around a center emblem that shows the heart of the program.
This award is earned through real outdoor time. There are no shortcuts or virtual steps. Scouts must camp, hike, paddle, or ride in real conditions. This can mean heat, cold, rain, or wind. It teaches patience and respect for nature. It also shows that steady work brings real rewards.
The National Outdoor Awards program helps youth grow confidence and leadership. It encourages them to plan outings, learn from adults, and teach younger Scouts. Over time, they build skills they can use for the rest of their lives. It also reminds them that the outdoors can be fun, challenging, and full of adventure.
National Outdoor Award Aquatics Segment Requirements
A Scout, Sea Scout, or Venturer, may earn the National Outdoor Badge for Aquatics upon successfully completing the following requirements:
- Earn the First Class rank, Sea Scout Apprentice rank, or complete Venturing Ranger Award requirements 1-6.
- Complete the requirements for the Swimming merit badge and either Lifesaving merit badge or Venturing Ranger Lifesaver elective. (For Sea Scouts, swimming merit badge requirements are an Ordinary rank requirement, and lifesaving merit badge requirements are an Able rank requirement).
- Complete the requirements for the Mile Swim BSA Award.
- Complete the requirements for at least one of the following: Canoeing, Fishing, Fly-Fishing, Kayaking, Rowing, Scuba Diving, Small-Boat Sailing, Water Sports, or Whitewater merit badges or Ranger Award Fishing, Scuba or Watercraft electives. Complete at least 25 hours of on-the-water time, applying the skills that you learned in the merit badge or Ranger elective.
- Complete at least 50 hours of any combination of swimming, canoeing, fishing, fly-fishing, kayaking, rowing, scuba, small-boat sailing, stand up paddleboarding, water sports, or whitewater activity under the auspices of the Boy Scouts of America, including time spent in requirements 2 through 4.
A gold device may be earned for each additional 25 hours of aquatics activity listed in requirement 5 of the National Outdoor Award Aquatics Segment Requirements. A silver device is earned for each additional 100 hours of aquatics activity. The youth may wear any combination of devices totaling his or her current number of hours of aquatics activity.
Related Resources
National Outdoor Award Adventure Segment Requirements
National Outdoor Award Camping Segment Requirements
National Outdoor Award Conservation Segment Requirements
National Outdoor Award Hiking Segment Requirements
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The Aquatics Segment?
It is part of the National Outdoor Awards program. It recognizes Scouts who spend time swimming and doing safe water activities. It shows that a Scout has strong water skills and good safety habits.
Who Can Earn This Segment?
Any Scout, Sea Scout, or Venturer may earn it. They must be active in their program and complete the needed steps. They also must show real time on the water.
Do I Need To Know How To Swim Well?
Yes. You must earn the Swimming merit badge. You must also complete the Mile Swim award. These steps help you build strength and confidence in the water.
Do I Need To Do Lifesaving?
Yes. You must earn either the Lifesaving merit badge or the Venturing Ranger lifesaver elective. This teaches you how to help others in the water.
What Counts As On-The-Water Time?
Time spent swimming, paddling, rowing, or doing other Scouting water activities counts. You must do at least 25 hours for one badge requirement and 50 hours overall.
Can I Earn Extra Devices?
Yes. You may earn a gold device for each extra 25 hours. You may earn a silver device for each extra 100 hours. You may wear any mix of devices that matches your total hours.
Do I Need To Do All Activities?
No. You choose which water activities you enjoy. You must finish the required items, but the rest can fit your interests.
How Long Does It Take To Earn This Segment?
It depends on how often you do water activities. Some Scouts earn it in one year. Others take longer. There is no set timeline.
Making A Splash The Scout Way
The aquatics segment honors Scouts who spend real time on the water. It focuses on strong swimming skills, water safety, and steady effort. Scouts learn to swim well and help others. They also try new water activities like paddling or rowing. This time on the water builds confidence and teaches clear thinking.
Scouts must complete several required steps. These include the Swimming merit badge and either the Lifesaving badge or the appropriate Venturing lifesaver elective. They also complete the Mile Swim award. Each step helps a Scout grow stronger and more skilled. It also gives them more experience in real outdoor settings.
Scouts spend many hours in the water to earn this segment. Some hours come from swimming. Other hours come from boating, paddling, or other Scouting water activities. These hours show steady effort and safe practice. They also help a Scout learn how to handle changing weather and water conditions.
The aquatics segment encourages Scouts to stay active. It rewards extra hours with gold and silver devices. These devices remind Scouts of the work they have done. They also celebrate the fun and challenge of time spent outdoors with friends and leaders.
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