Milestone
2. Pass the Scouting America swimmer test
Required Often forgotten
The gate. The badge states that this comes before requirements 3 to 8. It is the one thing here whose order is not a matter of preference. The test itself is set out in the Swimming merit badge pamphlet.
Notes and warnings
Warning. This is a gate, not a step. The badge states that requirements 3 through 8 come after it, so nothing physical in this badge can be worked on until the swimmer test is passed. Book it early. It is the single thing that decides when the rest of the badge can start.
Where this step comes from
- Swimming Merit Badge Requirements (Merit Badge Hub, last modified 2025-12-31), Requirement 2 · States in its own words that it comes before the requirements that follow, which is what makes the six edges below stated rather than inferred.