Aquatics Committee

The National Capital Area Council’s Aquatics Committee enhances local aquatics activities by being the center of effort for recreational and instructional programs in, on and under the water. The goal of the committee is to further the aims of scouting at the unit, district and council levels through safe, enjoyable aquatics programming. Key activities::

Provide training by:

Working with the council training committee to provide aquatics training for
adults and youth:

• Safe Swim Defense and Safety Afloat such as the Online Training for Safe Swim Defense/Safety Afloat 
• Basic swimming and boating skills training for unit leaders
• Basic water-rescue skills training for unit leaders
• Development of unit aquatics activities for unit leaders
• BSA Lifeguard

Working with camp aquatics staff in:

• Aquatics skills
• Effective teaching of aquatics skills
• Aquatics safety, including lifeguarding
• Basic canoeing
• Basic crew rowing
• Basic whitewater
• Providing non-swimmer instruction
   

Provide and promote a broad array of basic and high-adventure swimming and boating activities to support all parts of the Scouting program:

• Promote learn-to-swim programs for all Scouts and especially for Cub Scouts by providing opportunities and incentives to learn to swim.
• Whitewater canoe, kayak, rafting trips
• Snorkeling BSA, Kayaking BSA, Boardsailing BSA, Scuba BSA
• Promotion of aquatics high adventure—Northern Tier, Sea Base, and other aquatics-focused camps
• Enhanced aquatics activities during day camp and resident camp sessions for both Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts
• Winter swim programs with learn-to-swim and advancement opportunities for Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Venturers
• Coordination with other councils to promote programs and resources
• Implementation and promotion of the aquatics portions of the national Red Cross and Boy Scout agreements and key interface with the assigned Red Cross aquatics liaison in the designated local chapter of the Red Cross
• Coordination with other agencies (e.g., YMCA, NAUI, PADI, American Canoe Association, etc.) for joint programs or use of facilities
• Be the conduit for communication of changes in BSA Aquatics programs/policies

Provide advancement opportunities for youth: 

• Cub Scout electives and sports award for swimming
• Webelos Aquanaut
• Second Class and First Class requirements
• Swimming and Lifesaving merit badge clinics (non-summer camp)
• Canoeing merit badge (non-summer camp)

Promote and ensure safety by:

• Actively assess safe operation of council- and district-led aquatics activities, including summer camp, and promote aquatics safety at the unit level
• Promotion of Safe Swim Defense and Safety Afloat at the district and unit levels
• Pre-camp swim classification testing
• Review of council and district safety training and procedures for aquatics activities, including day and resident camps
• Inspection of summer camp and other council and district aquatics activities facilities and equipment 

Aquatic Links:

• Aquatics Activity Awards Counselor Information and Procedures
• BSA Swim Classification Test Guidelines
• Making Swim Tests Less Stressful
• Bridging the Gap
• NCAC Aquatic Guidelines
• Meeting Minutes
• Aquatic Events Online Registration
• Scouting Info for Dive Shops
• ScubaJam

Meeting Schedule:

Wed, June 12, 2013
7:30 pm
Camp Snyder pool pavillion
Pool party/BBQ/committee meeting

Contact Mike Meenehan for more information.
Chairman:  Mike Meenehan (703) 400-2176