Still can't swim

[Sparkie 12]

Call it what you will, but it works for us. All first year scouts take swimming at summer camp, so it's usually not an issue.

 

How are they supposed to learn to canoe with out canoeing? Hello...they earn the Canoeing MB! This is also earned at our summer camp, some boys want to earn it the same year they earn swimming, but we don't push them to do so.

 

And this does NOT spoil anything for the boys. Short story as an example, last year the boys decided to do Flambeau after a week of summer camp. One of the scouts had the swimming MB, but NOT the canoeing MB. He was such a slug, never canoed before, and made the week long trip even more exhaustive. The other scouts (able to handle the requirements of canoeing) were not to happy to say the least. However, i can't blame the boys in this scenario, the adults failed. He was not physically able, or mentally prepared for this trip.

 

Extremely harsh and cruel rule? i don't think so, it's a responsible and safety guided decision our troop has made.