National Outdoor Awards – Aquatics Segment Requirements

To complete the requirements for the National Outdoor Award Adventure Segment, a Scout or Venturer must be a proficient swimmer, have some lifesaving skills, complete the mile swim, and spend some time enjoying aquatics adventures such as swimming, paddling, fishing, or scuba diving.

The National Outdoor Awards recognize young men and women in Scouts BSA and Venturing who go beyond in their quest to enjoy the outdoors. There is a center emblem which is presented with the first award and then a segment for each discipline which is completed. The segments are displayed around the center emblem. Additional devices can be worn if the the Scout or Venturer completes even more aquatics adventures.

See the specifics below, along with some related helps and awards at the bottom of this post.

National Outdoor Award Adventure Segment Requirements

A Scout, Sea Scout, or Venturer, may earn the National Outdoor Badge for Aquatics upon successfully completing the following requirements:

1. Earn the First Class rank, Sea Scout Apprentice rank, or complete Venturing Ranger Award requirements 1-6.
2. 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).
3. Complete the requirements for the Mile Swim BSA Award.
4. 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.
5. 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. 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.

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.

Fishing Troop Program Feature for Scouts BSA

There are many preplanned programs available to PLCs who are planning meetings and activities for their troops. One of these is the Fishing Troop Program Feature .

Swimming Troop Program Feature for Scouts BSA

The Swimming program feature helps Scouts learn how to safely enjoy fun and physical activity in the water. Scouts also need to know how to swim to enjoy other aquatics activities such as boating and paddling.

Paddle Sports Troop Program Feature for Scouts BSA

The Paddle Sports program feature helps Scouts learn how to safely enjoy non-motorized trips on the water. Scouts learn about canoeing, kayaking, or stand up paddleboarding.

Lifesaving Merit Badge Helps and Documents

Scouts learn how to help those in trouble in the water while working on the Lifesaving merit badge. They practice and demonstrate the skills for reaching, throwing , and go rescues. They also find out how to determine which rescue technique to use and how to keep themselves safe while giving assistance to another person.

Kayaking BSA Award

The Kayaking BSA Award recognizes Scouts and Venturers who have developed the skills for a safe kayaking experience. Kayaking is so much fun! My husband and I own a couple of kayaks and we love to go out paddling on the water.

Kayaking Merit Badge Helps and Documents

By doing the requirements for the Kayaking merit badge, Scouts learn to safely glide across the water. They familiarize themselves with kayaking equipment and techniques. Then they put their paddling knowledge to use by demonstrating their skills on the water.

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.

Rowing Merit Badge Helps and Documents

While doing the requirements for the Rowing merit badge, Scouts learn to safely enjoy an excursion on the water in a rowboat. They demonstrate that they can control the rowboat. The requirements for this badge can be fulfilled with a fixed-seat rowboat or a sliding-seat rowboat.

Fishing Merit Badge Helps and Documents

Scouts working on the Fishing merit badge learn to safely catch, clean, and cook fish. They familiarize themselves with a variety of fishing equipment and the knots needed to use it. They also learn about different species of fish and types of baits. There is also a merit badge specifically for fly fishing.

Canoeing Merit Badge Helps and Documents

By doing the requirements for the Canoeing merit badge, Scouts prepare for a safe trip on the water in a canoe. They demonstrate that they have the skills to control the canoe. They learn how to maintain canoes, paddles, and PFDs. Then they demonstrate their knowledge by taking a trip on the water.

Water Sports Merit Badge Helps and Documents

While working on the Water Sports merit badge, Scouts learn to safely enjoy sports such as water skiing or wakeboarding. They learn about the equipment needed to enjoy these sports and demonstrate their skills.

Scuba Diving Merit Badge Helps and Documents

Scouts safely explore the underwater world while doing the requirements for the Scuba merit badge. They learn about aquatic ecosystems and earn their Open Water Diver Certification. Scouts also investigate career opportunities related to the scuba industry.

Swimming Merit Badge Helps and Documents

By completing the requirements for the Swimming merit badge, Scouts learn to safely enjoy activities in the water. They learn about water rescue methods and swimming strokes. Then they show that they have the skills to safely participate in aquatics activities.

Small Boat Sailing Merit Badge Helps and Documents

Scouts learn to answer questions like "How do you sail against the wind?" while doing the requirements for the Small Boat Sailing merit badge. learn about sailing equipment and how to prepare for a safe adventure on the water. Then they demonstrate their skills by going sailing.

Whitewater Merit Badge Helps and Documents

While doing the requirements for the Whitewater merit badge, Scouts learn to safely travel on fast flowing water by canoe or by kayak. They learn how to read the flow of water and to understand the difficulty level. They also familiarize themselves with verbal commands. Then they demonstrate their skills by canoeing or kayaking on a Class I or Class II river.

50 Miler Award

The 50 Miler award recognizes young men and women in Scouts BSA and Venturing who hike, paddle, or ride a total of 50 miles over at least 5 consecutive days. The trek must be completed without using motors. Riding can be cycling or horseback riding. To earn the award, members of your unit must plan and participate in a service project.

Scuba BSA Award

Scuba is a fun way to explore the underwater world. Members of Scouts BSA, Venturers, and adult Scouters can earn the Scuba BSA award by learning to dive safely and putting their skills to use.

Stand Up Paddleboarding Award

The Stand Up Paddleboarding Award recognizes Scouts who have developed the skills to safely enjoy the aquatic activity of paddleboarding. I have enjoyed paddleboarding at summer camp. With a little knowledge practice it is a fun aquatics activity. I was surprised that it is easier than it looks!

Lifesaver Ranger Elective Helps and Documents

To complete the Lifesaver elective for the Venturing Ranger award, Venturers must have a BSA Lifeguard certification, take an EMT course, or take a lifeguarding course. They must also put a first aid kit together and teach somebody else to make a kit.

Fishing Ranger Elective Helps and Documents

To complete the Fishing elective for the Venturing Ranger award, Venturers must learn all about fishing. There are options for freshwater fishing, fly fishing, and saltwater fishing. Venturers must then teach what they have learned to others.

Scuba Ranger Elective Helps and Documents

To complete the Scuba elective for the Venturing Ranger award, Venturers must complete their Open Water Diver certification and assist with a scuba program. They must also share what they learned with others.

Fly Fishing Merit Badge Helps and Documents

By working on the requirements for the Fly Fishing merit badge, Scouts come to appreciate and enjoy catching fish with a fly rod. They learn how to prepare for a safe fishing outing and to observe local regulations. Scouts become familiar with the knots needed for fly fishing. Then they put their knowledge to use by catching some fish.

Watercraft Ranger Elective Helps and Documents

To earn the Watercraft elective for the Venturing Ranger award, Venturers must learn to safely operate a paddle craft, board sail, or sailboat.