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Paddle Onward

Cub Scouts · Adventure, Elective

Printable worksheet (PDF)

Paddle Onward gets you out on the water in a canoe, kayak, or paddleboard. You'll learn water safety, how to wear a life jacket, and how to steer your craft. It's a great way to explore lakes and rivers.

Why it's worth it

A canoe, kayak, or paddleboard lets you explore places you can't reach on foot, like quiet coves, islands, and slow rivers. You'll learn how to wear a life jacket right, what to do if you tip over, and how your craft moves when you paddle. These skills open the door to troop paddling trips and summer camp waterfronts.

Start this week

  1. Ask your adult when the next swimmer test is offered at a pool, council camp, or den swim.
  2. Choose your craft: canoe, kayak, or stand-up paddleboard.
  3. Try on a life jacket and read the label for the weight range it's made for.

Plan ahead: Pass the swimmer test (requirement 1) before you can do requirements 5 through 9. Schedule it first, then plan your time on the water.

Stay safe

  • Follow Safety Afloat: wear a properly fitted life jacket the whole time, paddle with a buddy, and stay where a qualified adult and lifeguards can see you.

Requirements · 9

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

  1. Requirement 1

    Pass the Scouting America swimmer test before trying requirements 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9

    Tip: Practice swimming first. You need to pass the test before requirements 5 through 9.

  2. Requirement 2

    Pick one paddle craft (canoe, kayak, or stand-up paddleboard) and use it for every requirement

    Tip: Pick the craft that sounds most fun to you, then use it for every part.

  3. Requirement 3

    Review Safety Afloat

    Tip: Go over Safety Afloat with your den and a trained leader. Ask why each rule matters.

    For example: Safety Afloat means a qualified adult supervises, everyone has passed a swim check, life jackets are worn, the craft is in good shape, everyone has a buddy, and the group has a plan for weather.

  4. Requirement 4

    Show how to pick a life jacket in the right size and wear it properly

    Tip: Try on life jackets and buckle up. Have an adult check that it fits snugly.

    For example: Put the life jacket on, buckle and zip every strap, then have an adult lift it at the shoulders. If it slides up past your chin or ears, tighten it or try a smaller size.

  5. Requirement 5

    Wearing a life jacket, jump feet first into water over your head, then swim 25 feet in the life jacket

    Tip: With a lifeguard watching, jump in feet first wearing your life jacket and swim 25 feet.

  6. Requirement 6

    Show how to safely get into and out of a canoe, kayak, or stand-up paddleboard

    Tip: Keep your weight low and centered when getting in and out. Practice at the shore.

  7. Requirement 7

    Talk about what you'd do if your canoe or kayak flips or you fall off your paddleboard

    Tip: Talk about staying with your craft, staying calm, and waiting for help.

    For example: If you tip over, stay calm, hold onto your craft because it floats, and wait for help. Don't try to swim to shore alone. Practice in calm, shallow water with lifeguards close by.

  8. Requirement 8

    Learn how to choose a paddle that fits you; explore how your craft responds as you move the paddle

    Tip: Find a paddle that fits your height, then try strokes and watch how your craft turns.

    For example: Paddle on one side and watch the boat turn away from that side. Then switch sides. Try paddling backward to stop. A right-sized paddle reaches about your chin for a canoe.

  9. Requirement 9

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

    Tip: Paddle with a buddy near the shore and enjoy the view.

Places to visit

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

  • A council camp waterfront or community boating center

    Trained staff, boats, and life jackets are ready, and they can teach strokes in safe water.

    How: Have your den leader contact your local council or a parks and recreation boating program and ask about a Cub Scout paddling day.

Talk about it together

  • How did you feel before you got in the water, and how did you feel after?
  • What surprised you about how your craft turned?
  • What would you do first if you capsized?
  • Where would you like to paddle someday?

Helpful reads

For leaders & parents

  • Run paddling at a site with trained supervision and follow Safety Afloat.
  • Many councils offer Cub Scout paddling days at camp with gear and staff.

People & places that can help

Pairs well with

Counts toward

More Webelos adventures

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