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Bears Afloat

Cub Scouts · Adventure, Elective

Printable worksheet (PDF)

Bears Afloat gets you out on the water in a canoe, kayak, or paddleboard. You'll learn safety rules, wear a life jacket the right way, and paddle with qualified adults watching. It's a fun way to explore lakes and rivers.

Why it's worth it

Bears Afloat puts you in a canoe, kayak, or paddleboard so you can explore from the water. First you'll show you can swim, then you'll learn the safety rules and how to wear a life jacket the right way. On the water, you'll find out how your boat turns and glides when you paddle from different spots. Paddling opens up lakes, rivers, and summer camps for years to come.

Start this week

  1. Ask your den leader where and when you can take the Scouting America swimmer test.
  2. Pick your craft: a canoe, a kayak, or a stand-up paddleboard.
  3. Try on a life jacket with your adult and read the label inside.
  4. Ask which camp or program your den will use for the paddling session.

Plan ahead: Pass the swimmer test in requirement 1 before you paddle for requirements 6 and 7. Take it early at a pool or camp so you're ready when paddling day comes.

Stay safe

  • Everyone wears a properly fitted life jacket the whole time they're on the water.
  • Paddling follows Scouting America's Safety Afloat, with qualified adults in charge and calm water close to shore.

Requirements · 7

Every official requirement and part, numbered to match Scouting America, in plain language. Sign off against the official wording (opens in a new tab).

Note: Adults supervising this adventure must have completed Safety Afloat training within the past two years.

  1. Requirement 1

    Pass the Scouting America swimmer test before trying requirements 6 and 7

    Tip: Take the swimmer test early, before paddling, at a pool or camp with trained staff.

  2. Requirement 2

    Choose the paddle craft you'll use for every requirement: canoe, kayak, or stand-up paddleboard

    Tip: Pick one craft and use it for the whole adventure.

  3. Requirement 3

    With your den or an adult, discuss what qualified adult supervisors do at a paddling activity

    Tip: Talk about why trained adults need to be there and what they watch for.

    For example: Qualified supervision means an adult trained in Safety Afloat is in charge, there are enough adults for everyone on the water, and they watch the paddlers the whole time.

  4. Requirement 4

    Explain the safety rules for using a paddle craft

    Tip: Learn the rules, like always wearing a life jacket and staying near your group.

    For example: Your safety rules might be: always wear your life jacket, paddle with a buddy, stay close to your group, sit low and keep your weight centered, and head to shore if the weather changes.

  5. Requirement 5

    Find out how to tell if a life jacket fits and is approved for your paddle craft activity; show how to wear it

    Tip: Check the label, buckle it up, and have an adult lift at the shoulders to check the fit.

    For example: Check that the label says U.S. Coast Guard approved and fits your size. Buckle and zip it, then have an adult lift at the shoulders. If it rides up past your ears, it's too loose.

  6. Requirement 6

    Explore how your craft responds when you move the paddle through the water from different positions

    Tip: Try paddling from different spots and notice how the boat turns and moves.

    For example: Try paddling from the front, the back, and the middle. You might notice that paddling from the back helps steer, while paddling from the front pulls the boat forward.

  7. Requirement 7

    Paddle a canoe, kayak, or stand-up paddleboard for 30 minutes or more

    Tip: Paddle for at least 30 minutes on calm water with your group and qualified adults.

Places to visit

Ask an adult to set it up, and go with your family, den, patrol, or crew.

  • A council camp waterfront or a park with paddling programs

    Trained staff, life jackets, and boats are all in one place, so you can learn safely.

    How: Have your den leader ask your council about Cub Scout paddling days, or check a park district's summer programs for kids.

Talk about it together

  • How did it feel to be out on the water in your craft?
  • What did you learn about how your boat turns?
  • Why do you think safety rules matter so much on the water?
  • Where would you like to paddle someday?

Good questions to ask a paddling instructor or camp aquatics director

  • What should I do if my boat tips over?
  • How do you decide if the water is safe for paddling today?
  • What's your favorite place you've ever paddled?

Helpful reads

For leaders & parents

  • Make sure paddling is led by qualified adults following Scouting America water safety rules.
  • Choose calm, shallow water and have a life jacket for every scout.

People & places that can help

Pairs well with

Counts toward

More Bear adventures

Into this? Explore more

Tips, examples, and questions are ideas from experienced leaders, not extra requirements. Your unit leader or counselor decides when a requirement is complete.