Kayaking

Kayaking merit badge requirements

1. Do the following:

   a. Explain to your counselor the hazards you are most likely to encounter while participating in kayaking activities, including weather and water-related hazards, 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 can occur while kayaking: blisters, cold-water shock and hypothermia, heat-related illnesses, dehydration, sunburn, sprains, and strains.

   c. Review the BSA Safety Afloat policy. Explain to your counselor how this applies to kayaking.

2. Before doing requirements 3 through 9, 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. Review the characteristics of life jackets most appropriate for kayaking and understand why one must always be worn while paddling. Then demonstrate how to select and fit a life jacket for kayaking.

   b. Review the importance of safety equipment such as a signal device, extra paddle, sponge, bilge pump, and throw bag.

4. Do the following:

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

   b. Review the differences in the design between recreational, whitewater, and sea or touring kayaks. Include how length, width, stability, and rocker are involved in the design of each type.

   c. Review the advantages and disadvantages of the materials most commonly used to make kayaks. Explain the care, maintenance, and storage of a kayak.

   d. Using the trucker's hitch and bowline, demonstrate how to secure a kayak to a rack on a vehicle or a trailer, or to a rack on land.

5. Discuss the following:

   a. How to choose a kayak paddle.

   b. The different materials from which paddles are made, parts of a paddle, and the care and maintenance of a paddle.

6. Using a properly equipped kayak with an open cockpit, a sit-on-top, or an inflatable kayak, do the following:

   a. Safely capsize and perform a wet exit.

   b. Reenter the kayak with assistance from a buddy boat.

   c. Demonstrate a kayak-over-kayak rescue.

   d. Demonstrate the HELP position.

   e. Capsize the kayak, swim it and the paddle to shore, and empty water from the kayak with assistance, if needed.

7. As a solo paddler, use a properly equipped kayak to demonstrate the following:

   a. Forward stroke

   b. Backstroke

   c. Forward sweep

   d. Reverse sweep

   e. Draw stroke

   f. Stern draw

8. As a solo paddler, use a properly equipped kayak to demonstrate the following:

   a. Paddle a straight line for 25 yards, make a sharp turn, and return 25 yards in a straight line.

   b. Spin or pivot 360 degrees to the right and 360 degrees to the left.

   c. Move abeam to the right 10 feet and to the left 10 feet.

   d. Stop the boat in one boat length.

   e. Paddle a buoyed course of a length determined by your counselor that includes two right turns and two left turns performed while under way.

A FREE workbook for Kayaking is available here! with the maps, charts, links, diagrams, and checklists you need! Or click here to print just the Kayaking requirements.

meritbadge.org has PDF and DOC versions of Boy Scout merit badge workbooks, Webelos workbooks, Cub Scout workbooks, and Nova Award workbooks.

• Per the BSA: "You should read the merit badge pamphlet on the subject." Pamphlets (books) are at local Scout Shops and online at ScoutStuff.org.
• "Get a signed Merit Badge application from your Scoutmaster." An online, printable Word doc 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
• Boy Scouts/Venturers/Sea Scouts:
  • Awards for everyone older than Cub Scouts (Boy Scouts/Venturers/Sea Scouts): Boardsailing BSA - BSA Lifeguard - BSA Stand Up Paddleboarding - BSA Swim Test - Kayaking BSA - Mile Swim BSA - Scuba BSA - Snorkeling BSA - Whitewater Rafting BSA - National Outdoor Award for Aquatics
  • Boy Scout Merit Badges: Canoeing - Kayaking - Lifesaving - Motorboating - Rowing - Scuba Diving - Small-Boat Sailing - Swimming - Water Sports - Whitewater
  • Boy Scout Awards: BSA Complete Angler
  • Boy 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 Award

• 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 boys 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.)