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Mile Swim Award
Mile Swim Award
Date: September 25, 2024
Updated for 3 May 2024, the BSA Mile Swim Award requirements have changed.
See: scouting.org
UPDATED BSA Mile Swim Award Requirements:
UPDATED BSA Mile Swim Award Requirements:
Successfully complete the BSA swimmer test: Jump feetfirst into water over the head in depth, level off, and begin swimming. 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.
Learn through discussion and application how skill, stamina, stroke selection, and pace influence distance swimming.
Pre-qualify for the mile by either swimming continuously for ¼ mile or otherwise demonstrating ability to the satisfaction of a counselor approved by the local council.
Swim one mile under safe conditions over a course approved by the counselor supervising the swim.
A lot has changed since 1981 (the last time requirements were updated), but Scouts will still need to swim a mile to earn this award. What has changed is that administering the requirements are now much more manageable at a troop level. Plan on seeing mile swim opportunities coming up in the near future.
So what exactly has changed? You no longer need a BSA Certified Lifeguard to conduct or supervise the swim test. This likely is related to the retirement of the BSA Lifeguard Certification Program December 31, 2024. See scouting.org/trail-to-adventure-blog/bsa-lifeguard-certification-program-retiring-effective-december-31-2024.
Lynnwood Swimming Pool
Lynnwood Swimming Pool
The 1 mile swim test is generally conducted at summer camp in a lake with a canoe following the swimmers. That said, it does NOT need to be conducted in a lake or at summer camp. It can be conducted in an indoor pool, such as at the Lynnwood Pool.
The Lynnwood Pool is a 25-yard pool, which means that swimmers will need to swim
2 laps (there in back) to complete their swim test
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
8.8 laps (there in back) laps to pre-qualify for the mile
35.2 laps (there in back) to complete a mile.
Novice swimmers can generally do a mile in an hour or less.
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