As the weather heats up, many young Cub Scouts are excited to jump in the water and start their aquatic adventures. However, it is crucial to teach them about water safety before they dive in. The Cub Scout program has a helpful tool for introducing younger Scouts to water safety rules, the SCOUT water safety chant.
One of the benefits of the SCOUT water safety chant is that it presents the material in a straightforward format that is easy for young children to understand. The chant emphasizes the key points of adult supervision, safe areas, the buddy system, and following rules. This simple and catchy chant can help young Scouts remember the essential safety rules when participating in water activities.
To make the chant more engaging for the Scouts, den leaders could make a large poster with the chant’s words and have the Scouts recite it together or in buddy pairs. If some of the Scouts are not following the rules, leaders can have them come in and recite the chant again. The Cub Scout handbooks and den leader guides also offer more suggestions for teaching and using the chant effectively.
However, it is important to note that the SCOUT water safety chant is not a substitute for the Safe Swim Defense or Safety Afloat programs. Adults trained in these areas should always be present during swimming and boating activities. The chant is simply a tool to help younger Scouts understand the basic water safety rules.
The SCOUT water safety chant is a fun and helpful tool for introducing young Cub Scouts to water safety rules. By emphasizing key points like adult supervision, safe areas, buddy systems, and following rules, the chant can help Scouts remember the essential safety rules when participating in water activities. However, it is crucial to remember that the chant is not a substitute for proper training and supervision by adults trained in water safety.
SCOUT Water Safety Chant
S is Someone’s watching.
Never swim alone.
C is Check the rules.
Know where you can roam.
O is Only buddies
should go far from the shore.
U is know what “U” can do
Don’t do any more.
T is Tell a grown-up
if someone’s in need.
SCOUT shows safety
Now you take the lead.
Related Resources for the SCOUT Water Safety Chant
Safe Swim Defense
Safe Swim Defense is a set of guidelines and policies that promote safe swimming and water activities in Scouting. While the SCOUT water safety chant is a helpful tool for introducing young Scouts to water safety rules, it is not a substitute for Safe Swim Defense. Safe Swim Defense goes beyond the basic safety rules outlined in the chant and includes requirements such as adult supervision, swim classification, personal flotation devices, and emergency procedures. The SCOUT water safety chant can be a useful supplement to Safe Swim Defense by helping young Scouts remember the essential safety rules, but it is important to remember that Safe Swim Defense is the foundation of safe aquatic activities in Scouting.
Safety Afloat
Safety Afloat is a set of guidelines and policies that promote safe boating and watercraft activities in Scouting. Similarly to Safe Swim Defense, the SCOUT water safety chant is not a substitute for Safety Afloat. Safety Afloat includes requirements such as proper training and certification, adult supervision, equipment and gear, emergency procedures, and more. The SCOUT water safety chant can be a helpful supplement to Safety Afloat by emphasizing key safety rules like wearing life jackets and always having a buddy, but it is crucial to remember that Safety Afloat is the foundation of safe boating and watercraft activities in Scouting.
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