Coast Guard Auxiliary Boater Education for Scouts

The Coast Guard Auxiliary offers a wide range of boater education courses (referred to as Public Education within the Auxiliary) to the general public. Coast Guard Auxiliary boater education is particularly suited for Boy Scouts, Sea Scouts, and Venturers. For most Boy Scouts, their first experience with watercraft is with canoes or rowboats at their local Council camp. A typical Scout camp's "waterfront" will include one or more of the following: swimming, lifesaving, snorkeling, canoeing, rowing, kayaking, sailing, and much less frequently, water skiing. In working toward the Eagle Scout rank, Boy Scouts are required to qualify for 21 merit badges. Two of the "required" merit badges may include Swimming and Lifesaving merit badges. As such, they are very popular with Scouts, and the vast majority qualify for them at summer camp. Although Canoeing merit badge is not a "required" merit badge, it remains very popular, and summer camp is by far the most common place to earn it.

BSA also operates a number high adventure bases, some of which focus on canoe trekking. The Northern Tier National High Adventure Bases are a string of bases in the northern United States and southern Canada whose focus is on canoeing and kayaking. These week-long experiences are generally intended for older Boy Scout and Venturer participants. A high adventure trip to, for example, Charles L. Sommers Wilderness Canoe Base will require months' of preparation and training.

Coast Guard Auxiliary Boater Education Courses for Scouts

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There are several canoeing- and kayaking-related advancement requirements, but the only requirement that is specifically related is Able Sea Scout, requirement 17(i).

Scout Resources

High Adventure Bases & Scout Camps

• Northern Tier National High Adventure Bases
• Boy Scouts of America
  • Find your local Scout Council

Advancement Requirements

• Able Sea Scout, requirement 17(i)
• Canoeing Merit Badge
• Kayaking BSA
• Whitewater Merit Badge

BSA Safety Guidelines

• Safe Swim Defense
• Safety Afloat
• Guide to Safe Scouting

External Links

• American Canoe Association
• American Whitewater
• USA Canoe/Kayak
• United States Canoe Association

Magazines

• Canoe & Kayak
• Paddler

Training Resources

• A SmartStart for Paddlers (4.7 meg Powerpoint)

Contributed by

Ron Tvork, BC-ESS