Here is the current schedule of merit badges and activities ...conveyed to us by Jeff Ritter, the Camp Master for Seven Mountains this summer.
And also per an email from Jeff Ritter, on Saturday, June 9:
The only thing I'm not sure about on this schedule is a minor
adjustment. In the Nature Lodge, the 4-5 slot may have moved to the 3-4
slot. That way all the open times were at the same time. If you have
anyone taking swiming, the standards have changed and they may need some of
the open times to finish. If they have a partial MB blue card from the old
book, they use the old book to finish. See new requirements below:
SWIMMING
Show that you know first aid for injuries or illnesses that could occur
while swimming, including hypothermia, heat reactions, muscle cramps,
sunburn, stings, cuts and scrapes, spinal injuries, and hyperventilation.
Do the following:
Identify the conditions that must exist before performing CPR on a person.
Explain how such conditions are recognized.
Demonstrate proper technique for performing CPR using a training device
approved by your counselor.
Before doing the following requirements, successfully complete Second Class
requirements 7a-7c and First Class requirements 9a-9d
Second Class rank requirements:
(7a) Tell what precautions must be taken for a safe swim.
(7b) 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. (This requirement may be
waived by the troop committee for medical or safety reasons.)
(7c) Demonstrate water rescue methods by reaching with your arm or leg, by
reaching with a suitable object, and by throwing lines and objects. (This
requirement may be waived by the troop committee for medical or safety
reasons.) Explain why swimming rescues should not be attempted when a
reaching or throwing rescue is possible, and explain why and how a rescue
swimmer should avoid contact with the victim.
First Class rank requirements:
(9a) Tell what precautions should be taken for a safe trip afloat.
(9b) Before doing the following requirements, successfully complete the BSA
swimmer test:
Jump feetfirst into water over your head in depth, 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 swum continuously and include at least one sharp turn.
After completing the swim, rest by floating. (This requirement may be waived
by the troop committee for medical or safety reasons.)
(9c) Demonstrate survival skills by leaping into deep water wearing clothes
(shoes, socks, swim trunks, long pants, belt, and long-sleeved shirt).
Remove shoes and socks, inflate the shirt, and show that you can float using
the shirt for support. Remove and inflate the pants for support. Swim 50
feet using the inflated pants for support, then show how to reinflate the
pants while using them for support. (This requirement may be waived by the
troop committee for medical or safety reasons.)
(9d) With a helper and a practice victim, show a line rescue both as tender
and as rescuer. The practice victim should be approximately 30 feet from
shore in deep water. (This requirement may be waived by the troop committee
for medical or safety reasons.)
Swim continuously for 150 yards using the following strokes in good form and
in a strong manner: front crawl or trudgen for 25 yards, back crawl for 25
yards, sidestroke for 25 yards, breaststroke for 25 yards, and elementary
backstroke for 50 yards.
Do the following:
Float faceup in a resting position for at least one minute.
Demonstrate survival floating for at least five minutes.
While wearing a properly fitted personal floatation device (PFD),
demonstrate the HELP and huddle positions. Explain their purposes.
Explain why swimming or survival floating will hasten the onset of
hypothermia in cold water.
In water over your head, but not to exceed 10 feet, do each of the
following:
Use the feet first method of surface diving and bring an object up from the
bottom.
Do a head first surface dive, pike, or tuck, and bring the object up again.
Do a head first surface dive to a depth of at least 5 feet and swim
underwater for 3 strokes. Come to the surface, take a breath, and repeat the
sequence twice.
Do the following:
Demonstrate selection and fit of mask, snorkel, and fins; discuss safety in
both pool and open-water snorkeling.
Demonstrate proper use of mask, snorkel, and fins for underwater search and
rescue.
Describe the sport of scuba diving, and demonstrate your knowledge of BSA
policies and procedures relating to this sport.
In water at least 8 feet deep, show a headfirst dive from a dock or pool
deck. Show a long shallow dive, also from the dock or pool deck. If a low
board (not to exceed 40 inches above water at least 9 feet deep) is
available, show a plain front dive.
Demonstrate the following competitive swimming skills:
Racing dive from a pool edge.
Racing turns for both the front crawl and back crawl
Racing form for 25 yards on one competitive stroke (front crawl, back crawl,
breaststroke, or butterfly).
Do the following:
Explain the health benefits of regular aerobic exercise, and explain why
many people today do not get enough of the beneficial kinds of exercise.
Discuss why swimming is favored as both a fitness and a therapeutic
exercise.
Write a plan for a swimming exercise program that will promote
aerobic/vascular fitness, strength and muscle tone, body flexibility, and
weight control for a person of Scout age. Identify resources and facilities
available in your home community that would be needed for such a program.
Discuss with your counselor the incentives and obstacles for adherence to
the fitness program you created in requirement 10c. Explain the unique
benefits that could be gained from this program, and discuss how personal
health awareness and self discipline would relate to your willingness and
ability to pursue such a program.
Assist with instruction in basic swimming skills under the direction of a
qualified swimming instructor in two or more teaching sessions for a total
of three hours. The instruction may be at either the nonswimmer or beginner
level in a summer camp, unit program, or any other organized program in your
community. Assist with demonstrations, skill explanations, and individual
coaching.
BSA Advancement ID#: 14
Pamphlet Revision Date: 2000
You can get this from www.meritbadge.com