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.

Get the Canoeing Merit Badge pamphlet

Printable helps for requirements:

Printable requirements for Canoeing Merit Badge

Printable checkoff sheet for Canoeing Merit Badge

Printable note sheet for Canoeing Merit Badge

Printable checkoff sheet for all Scouts BSA merit badges

Get ready for your canoeing adventure with these related ideas and acheivements:

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.

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.

50 Mile Canoe Trip Pin

Reader Bruce asked "Does anyone know where I can buy a pin for scouts who completed a 50 mile canoe trip? I would ideally like a paddle shaped pin with 50 Mile on the paddle."

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.

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.

Start Your Engines! Scouts BSA Nova Award (Technology) Helps and Documents

Start Your Engines! is the Scouts BSA Nova Award for investigating technology. To earn this award, Scouts must complete one of their technology related merit badges and learn about related topics such as energy and fuel sources. Scouts design and build a working model vehicle which is powered by solar power, wind power, or battery power.

National Outdoor Awards – Adventure Segment Requirements

To complete the requirements for the National Outdoor Award Adventure Segment, a Scout or Venturer must learn to be prepared during outdoor adventures. He or she must also complete a challenging backpacking, paddling, sailing, climbing, or other high-adventure activity. See the specifics , along with some related helps and awards.

Safe Swim Defense

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

Up and Away Scouts BSA Nova Award (Fluid Dynamics) Helps and Documents

Up and Away is the Scouts BSA Nova Award for investigating fluid dynamics. To earn this award, Scouts must complete one of their related merit badges which relates to the movement and forces of liquids or gasses. Scouts also do an experiment related to terminal velocity, airfoils, or emergency supply drops. Scouts visit a location such as a wind tunnel or aviation museum, either in person or online.

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.

Sweet 16 of BSA Safety | Skill Level Limits

The most familiar application of skill level limits is the swim tests which are administered at summer camp. But there are other examples as well.

Safety Afloat

Before embarking on a boating activity with your scouts, make sure everyone is aware of the Safety Afloat guidelines.