Salmon Run

Cub Scouts · Adventure, Elective

Salmon Run helps you swim safely and learn how to help someone in trouble. You'll practice the buddy system, try the beginner swim test, and learn simple rescues. These skills make time in the water more fun and safe.

Why it's worth it

Salmon Run helps you become a safer, stronger swimmer and someone who knows how to help a friend in the water. You'll learn how Scouting America keeps swimmers safe, try the beginner swim test, and practice rescues you can do without ever getting wet. Whatever your swimming level today, you'll come away more confident in the water.

Start this week

Ask your adult to find a pool or beach with lifeguards where your family or den can swim.
Learn the names of the three swimming ability groups: nonswimmer, beginner, and swimmer.
Practice buddy checks at home: when someone calls it, grab your buddy's hand and hold it up.
If you're taking swim lessons, ask your den leader whether they can count for this adventure.

Stay safe

Swim only where a lifeguard or qualified adult is watching. Den and pack swims follow Scouting America's Safe Swim Defense.
Never jump in to save someone. Reach or throw from land, and shout for an adult.

Requirements · 6

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: This adventure can also be earned by passing the Scouting America swimmer test or by taking swimming lessons.

Requirement 1
With your den or an adult, identify what makes adult supervision at a swimming activity qualified
Tip: Talk about what trained adults and lifeguards do to keep swimmers safe.
For example: Qualified supervision at a swim means an adult trained in Safe Swim Defense is in charge, lifeguards or lookouts are watching, and there are enough adults for the number of swimmers.
Requirement 2
Learn the three Scouting America swimming ability groups and the water depth suited to each
Tip: Learn the three ability groups and which water each one swims in.
For example: Nonswimmers stay in water no deeper than their waist. Beginners use water from shallow to just over their heads. Swimmers, who passed the swimmer test, can use deeper water.
Requirement 3
Swim for 30 minutes with your den, pack, or family using the buddy system
Tip: Swim for 30 minutes with your den, pack, or family while lifeguards or trained adults watch.
Requirement 4
With your den or an adult, show how buddy checks, the buddy system, and ability groups work
Tip: Practice buddy checks: when called, grab your buddy's hand and hold it up.
Requirement 5
Attempt the Scouting America beginner swim test
Tip: Try the beginner test with a trained instructor. If you don't pass, it's fine to try again later.
For example: In the beginner test you jump into water over your head, come back up, swim a short way, turn around, and swim back. If you don't pass yet, that's okay. Trying is the requirement.
Requirement 6
Demonstrate a reach rescue and also a throw rescue
Tip: Practice reaching with a pole or towel and throwing a float, while staying safely on land.
For example: For a reach rescue, lie down on the deck and hold out a pole or towel for the swimmer to grab. For a throw rescue, toss a ring buoy or rope past them and pull them in. You stay out of the water.

Talk about it together

How did you feel before and after trying the beginner test?
Which ability group are you in now, and what would help you move up?
Why is it safer to reach or throw than to jump in after someone?
How did buddy checks help your group?

Good questions to ask a lifeguard or swim instructor

What do you look for when you're watching swimmers?
What should I do if I see someone struggling in the water?
What can I practice to become a stronger swimmer?

Helpful reads

Cub Scouts: a guide for families, How Cub Scout ranks and adventures work from kindergarten through fifth grade, what an adult partner does, and how to keep it fun at meetings and at home., Families · Leaders · 4 min read

For leaders & parents

Hold swim activities at a lifeguarded pool and follow Scouting America swim safety rules.
Have an aquatics instructor run the beginner test.

People & places that can help

American Red Cross (opens in a new tab) — Swim lessons and water safety.
Local YMCA or community pool — Swim lessons and lifeguarded swim times.
Scouting America: Salmon Run (opens in a new tab) — The official requirements and den activity ideas for each one.
Scouting America Aquatics Safety (opens in a new tab) — Safe Swim Defense, ability groups, and the rules leaders follow at every swim.
Scouting America Aquatics Program (opens in a new tab) — How swimming works in Scouting, including the swim tests.
American Red Cross Water Safety (opens in a new tab) — Water safety tips for kids and families.

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