Re: 1999 Rank Requirements-2nd Class (An Opinion)

David F. Delman wrote:

>
> <2ndC-Req-7b Does a perfect job describing how to do the 50 ft
> <. . and now the scout can use (1) only one stroke or I guess
> <. . as many different types as he or the leader wishes.
> <2ndC:Req-7c Adds Water Rescue Knowledge in some detail.
>

Old Req. 7 reads:

7.Tell what precautions must be taken for a safe swim. Demonstrate your
ability to swim 50 yards using two different strokes. "

New Req. 7b reads:

7.b. Demonstrate your ability to jump feetfirst into water over your
head in depth, level off and swim 25 feet on the surface, stop, turn
sharply, resume swimming, then return to your starting place.

> One thing I missed in my 10/8 review of 2ndClass was that 50 Yards
> became 50 Feet.
> Maybe it is a BSA typo yet I doubt it.

It is not a typo. They did reduce the distance from 50 yards to 50
feet.

> It is hard for me to imagine why they would make 2nd Class so much
> easier (reduced by 33%) and then increase 1st Class swimming
> requirements beyond where they are in 1998. I like it the way it was
> because it helped make the jump to 1st Class, for some boys, a little
> less overpowering.

It was intentional. What they did was make the 2nd Class requirement
match the "Beginner Test" swimming requirement in the Guide to Safe
Scouting, and the First Class requirement the "Swimmer Test"

The last time the swimming requirem,ents were changed was in 1989, when
the Skill Awards were dropped. Prior to then there was NO swimming
requirement for 2nd Class. The Swimming Skill Award was NOT required,
but required a 100 yard swim, as did First Class.

--
Paul S. Wolf, PE                       mailto:Paul.S.Wolf@alum.wpi.edu
 
Traffic Engineer,  Cuyahoga County Engineer's Office,  Cleveland, Ohio
Past President,  Great Lakes Region,  Federation of Jewish Men's Clubs
Winding Rivers Dist. Advancement Comm., Greater Cleveland Council, BSA
Advancement Webmaster, US Scouting Service Project  (www.usscouts.org)

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