Canoeing Merit Badge

1. Hazards, first aid and Safety Afloat: the only part outside the gate Often forgotten Requirement

Three parts, and the only requirement on this badge that the swimmer test does not stand in front of. This is what you can finish before you can swim 100 yards.

3 parts

• 1(a). What canoeing can do to you, and what to do about it
• 1(b). The first-aid list, prevention through treatment
• 1(c). Safety Afloat, and how it lands on a canoe Often forgotten

2. Pass the swimmer test: this gates the other eight requirements Often forgotten Training

The Scouting America swimmer test, which lives in the Swimming merit badge pamphlet. Its own sentence puts it in front of requirements 3 through 9, classroom parts included.

This one sentence stands in front of eight of the nine requirements, including requirements 3, 4, 5 and 6, which are classroom work and never get you wet. Requirement 1 is the only part of this badge you can work on before you pass it. Book the swim test early.

3. The canoe: its parts, and why its shape matters Requirement

Two parts. Naming components, then explaining what length and shape do to how a canoe behaves.

Usually comes after 2. Pass the swimmer test: this gates the other eight requirements.

2 parts

• 3(a). Name and point out the major parts of a canoe
• 3(b). What length and shape do to performance

4. The paddle: its parts, and sizing it to a paddler Requirement

Two parts, and the second is a demonstration rather than an explanation.

Usually comes after 2. Pass the swimmer test: this gates the other eight requirements.

2 parts

• 4(a). Name and point out the parts of a paddle
• 4(b). Size a paddle for sitting and for kneeling Often forgotten

5. Life jackets and the equipment that comes back with you Requirement

Three parts: which life jackets suit canoeing and why one is always worn, fitting one, and the safety and rescue kit that should be aboard.

Usually comes after 2. Pass the swimmer test: this gates the other eight requirements.

3 parts, 1 ticked

• 5(a). Which life jackets suit canoeing, and why one is always worn
• 5(b). Select and fit the right size
• 5(c). The rescue kit: signal, spare paddle, bailer, pump, sling, rope, throw bag

6. Care and maintenance of canoes, paddles and gear Requirement

One conversation with your counselor, covering the boat, the paddles and the rest of the equipment.

Usually comes after 2. Pass the swimmer test: this gates the other eight requirements.

7. On the water with a companion: launching, landing, positions, swapping Requirement

Four parts, and the first time this badge puts you afloat. Everything here is done with another paddler in a properly equipped canoe.

Usually comes after 2. Pass the swimmer test: this gates the other eight requirements.

4 parts

• 7(a). Carry and launch: from a dock and from shore if you can manage both Often forgotten
• 7(b). Land it, and put it away properly Often forgotten
• 7(c). Kneeling and sitting, and when each is right
• 7(d). Change places while still afloat

8. The rescue block, including a capsize you perform on purpose Often forgotten Requirement

Six parts covering deep-water exit and re-entry, a deliberate capsize, recovering a swamped canoe, rescuing a swimmer and throwing a rescue bag. Arranged in advance, at a site and under supervision Safety Afloat governs.

Usually comes after 2. Pass the swimmer test: this gates the other eight requirements.

Requirement 8 includes capsizing a canoe on purpose in deep water and performing rescues. Arrange it in advance with your counselor, at a site and under supervision that Safety Afloat governs. It is not something to add to the end of an ordinary paddle.

6 parts

• 8(a). Leave the canoe in deep water without letting go of it, then get back in
• 8(b). Capsize it deliberately, and show why staying with it helps
• 8(c). Move a swamped canoe 50 feet, then empty it and get back in
• 8(d). Rescue a swamped canoe and its paddlers in deep water Often forgotten
• 8(e). Rescue a conscious swimmer using the canoe
• 8(f). Throw bag: land the line close, from shore, then repack it Often forgotten

9. Tandem manoeuvres: eight of them, from both seats and both sides Often forgotten Requirement

Eight lettered manoeuvres, and a preamble that multiplies all of them: in unison on opposite sides without changing sides, each paddler in both bow and stern and on both sides, keeping the canoe trimmed and balanced. This is the largest block of work on the badge.

Usually comes after 2. Pass the swimmer test: this gates the other eight requirements.

Requirement 9 is not eight manoeuvres. Its preamble says each paddler demonstrates them in BOTH the bow and the stern and on BOTH sides, in unison on opposite sides and without changing sides, holding trim and balance throughout. Plan the water time against that sentence, not against the count of letters.

8 parts

• 9(a). Pivot 180° right, stop, pivot back, inside two boat lengths
• 9(b). Move sideways 10 feet and come back
• 9(c). Stop inside two boat lengths from forward motion
• 9(d). Stern alone: a straight line for 15 to 20 boat lengths Often forgotten
• 9(e). Together: a straight line for 15 to 20 boat lengths
• 9(f). Carve 90° right in 5 to 10 boat lengths, then the same to the left
• 9(g). Back up in a straight line, 3 to 4 boat lengths
• 9(h). A figure of eight around markers 3 to 4 boat lengths apart

Counselor signs it off Milestone

The completion date is the date you met the requirements, not the date of the signature.

Usually comes after 9. Tandem manoeuvres: eight of them, from both seats and both sides.

Merit badge requirements are republished annually. A Scout beginning work uses the requirements as they stand then; a Scout already working may finish under the ones they started with. Guide to Advancement 7.0.4.3 governs which applies. This page records the date its copy was read. Check it against the official page before relying on it.