Canoeing

Canoeing merit badge requirements

1. Do the following:

   a. Explain to your counselor the most likely hazards you may encounter while participating in canoeing activities and what you should do to anticipate, help prevent, mitigate, and respond to these hazards.

   b. Review prevention, symptoms, and first-aid treatment for the following injuries or illnesses that could occur while canoeing: blisters, cold-water shock and hypothermia, dehydration, heat-related illnesses, sunburn, sprains, and strains.

   c. Discuss the BSA Safety Afloat policy. Tell how it applies to canoeing activities.

2. Before doing the following requirements, successfully complete the BSA swimmer test: Jump feetfirst into water over the head in depth. Level off and swim 75 yards in a strong manner using one or more of the following strokes: sidestroke, breaststroke, trudgen, or crawl; then swim 25 yards using an easy, resting backstroke. The 100 yards must be completed in one swim without stops and must include at least one sharp turn. After completing the swim, rest by floating.
3. Do the following:

   a. Name and point out the major parts of a canoe.

   b. Describe how the length and shape of a canoe affect its performance.

   c. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the different materials used to make canoes.

4. Do the following:

   a. Name and point out the parts of a paddle. Explain the difference between a straight and bent-shaft paddle and when each is best used.

   b. Demonstrate how to correctly size a paddle for a paddler in a sitting position and a kneeling position.

5. Do the following:

   a. Discuss with your counselor the characteristics of life jackets most appropriate for canoeing and tell why a life jacket must always be worn while paddling.

   b. Demonstrate how to select and properly fit the correct size life jacket.

6. Discuss with your counselor the general care and maintenance of canoes, paddles, and other canoeing equipment.
7. Do the following:

   a. Discuss what personal and group equipment would be appropriate for a canoe camping trip. Describe how personal and group equipment can be packed and protected from water.

   b. Using the containers and packs from requirement 7a, demonstrate how to load and secure the containers and other equipment in the canoe.

   c. Using appropriate knots, including a trucker’s hitch, tautline hitch, and bowline, demonstrate how to secure a canoe to a vehicle or a trailer, or if these are not available, a rack on land.

8. With a companion, use a properly equipped canoe to demonstrate the following:

   a. Safely carry and launch the canoe from a dock or shore (both, if possible).

   b. Safely land the canoe on a dock or shore (both, if possible) and return it to its proper storage location.

   c. Demonstrate kneeling and sitting positions in a canoe and explain the proper use for each position.

   d. Change places while afloat in the canoe.

9. With a companion, use a properly equipped canoe to demonstrate the following:

   a. In deep water, exit the canoe and get back in without capsizing.

   b. Safely perform a controlled capsize of the canoe and demonstrate how staying with a capsized canoe will support both paddlers.

   c. Swim, tow, or push a swamped canoe 50 feet to shallow water. In the shallow water, empty the swamped canoe and reenter it.

   d. In deep water, rescue a swamped canoe and its paddlers by emptying the swamped canoe and helping the paddlers safely reenter their boat without capsizing.

10. With a companion, use a properly equipped canoe to demonstrate the following paddling strokes as both a bow and stern paddler:

    a. Forward stroke

    b. Backstroke

    c. Draw

    For stern paddling only:

    d. J-stroke

    e. Pushaway

    f. Forward sweep

    g. Reverse sweep

    h. Rudder stroke

    i. Stern pry

11. Using the strokes in requirement 10, and in an order determined by your counselor, use a properly equipped canoe to demonstrate the following tandem maneuvers while paddling on opposite sides and without changing sides. Each paddler must demonstrate these maneuvers in both the bow and stern and on opposite paddling sides:

    a. Pivot or spin the canoe in either direction.

    b. Move the canoe sideways or abeam in either direction.

    c. Stop the canoe.

    d. Move the canoe in a straight line for 50 yards.

12. Use a properly equipped canoe to demonstrate solo canoe handling:

    a. Launch from shore or a pier (both, if possible).

    b. Using a single-blade paddle and paddling only on one side, demonstrate proper form and use of the forward stroke, backstroke, draw stroke, pushaway stroke, forward sweep, reverse sweep, and J-stroke. Repeat while paddling on the other side.

    c. Using a single-blade paddle and paddling only on one side, demonstrate proper form and use of a combination of a forward stroke, rudder stroke, and stern pry by canoeing to a target 50 yards away. Repeat while paddling on the other side.

    d. Make a proper landing at a dock or shore (both, if possible). Store canoe properly (with assistance, if needed).

13. Discuss the following types of canoeing:

    a. Olympic canoe sprint

    b. Flatwater and river touring

    c. Outrigger

    d. Marathon

    e. Freestyle

    f. Whitewater

    g. Canoe poling

The official source for the information shown in this article or section is: Scouts BSA Requirements, 2019 Edition (BSA Supply SKU #648914)

A FREE workbook for Canoeing is available here! (PDF or Word) with the maps, charts, links, diagrams, and checklists you need! Or click here to print just the Canoeing requirements.

usscouts.org has PDF and Word versions of workbooks for Scouts BSA ranks and merit badges, Cub Scouting ranks and adventures, and STEM Nova awards.

• Per the BSA: "You should read the merit badge pamphlet on the subject." The Canoeing merit badge pamphlet can purchased at ScoutSthop.org or at your local Scout Shop.
• "Get a signed Application for Merit Badge ... from your unit leader." An electronic, fillable, and printable PDF file version is available.

• Cub Scouts
  • Tiger Elective Adventure: Floats and Boats
  • Bear Elective Adventure: Salmon Run
  • Wolf Elective Adventure: Spirit of the Water
  • Webelos/Arrow of Light Elective Adventure: Aquanaut
• Scouts/Venturers/Sea Scouts:
  • Awards: Boardsailing BSA  •  BSA Lifeguard  •  BSA Stand Up Paddleboarding  •  Kayaking BSA  •  Mile Swim BSA  •  Scuba BSA  •  Snorkeling BSA  •  Whitewater Rafting BSA  •  National Outdoor Award for Aquatics
  • Scout merit badges: Canoeing  •  Fish and Wildlife Management  •  Fishing  •  Fly-Fishing  •  Kayaking  •  Lifesaving  •  Motorboating  •  Rowing  •  Scuba Diving  •  Small-Boat Sailing  •  Swimming  •  Water Sports  •  Whitewater
  • Scout awards: Complete Angler
  • Scout ranks: Second Class - First Class
  • Venturer Ranger Award electives: Lifesaving  •  Scuba  •  Watercraft
  • Sea Scout ranks: Apprentice  •  Ordinary  •  Able  •  Quartermaster
  • Sea Scout awards: Small Boat Handler  •  Qualified Seaman  •  Long Cruise badge

• An Introduction to Merit Badges – how to get started, who chooses the counselor, etc.
• Merit Badge revision dates – latest revision dates of each merit badge pamphlet.
• Merit Badge Worksheets & Requirements – with the revision dates, diagrams, charts, checklists, logs, and links you need.
• Merit Badge Application – offers online resources to let you print "Blue Cards," etc.
• Merit Badge FAQ – answers dozens of questions like: Who can be a counselor? Can requirements be added or removed?
• Merit Badges Requiring Prior Approval – Certain requirements need prior approval. Most do not. Here is the list.
• Also see: List of how many youths have earned each Merit Badge – Merit Badge policies – Merit badges required for the Eagle Scout rank – Merit Badge Days
• Additionally: List of Merit Badges by Field of Study – Merit Badge Pamphlets & Libraries
• Merit Badge Counselors must complete Youth Protection Training, file an Adult Application (and Merit Badge Counselor Information Form); and be approved by the local council. (See the Guide for Merit Badge Counselors for additional details.)
• See Submitting New Merit Badge Ideas for guidance on how to submit suggestions for new merit badges to BSA.