Whitewater Merit Badge

This information is for Boy Scout Counselors who plan on bringing their troop to ACE Adventure Center to obtain a Whitewater Merit Badge. The main precursor to this Merit Badge is the Canoeing Merit Badge. Any scout who wishes to obtain a Whitewater Merit Badge MUST have a Canoeing Merit Badge and have proof of such. If a scout does not have the Canoe Merit Badge or does not have validation of such, he is more than welcome to participate in the activities but an ACE Counselor CAN NOT approve his Whitewater Merit Badge. Please do not ask us to do this or it will jeopardize our participation in this program. BE PREPARED.

Your troop must be ready to accomplish the following:

1. Show that they know first aid for injuries or illnesses that could occur while working toward their Whitewater Merit Badge including, but not limited to; hypothermia, heatstroke, heat exhaustion, dehydration, sunburn, insect stings, tick bites, blisters, and hyperventilation. Being able to recognize each of these situations is a must. Scouts will be asking things like how to differentiate between heatstroke and heat exhaustion.

2. Be able to identify the conditions that must exist before performing CPR and how conditions are recognized.*

3. Demonstrate proper technique for CPR using proper training device or fellow troop members. *

4. Demonstrate canoe-handling skills by completing the Scout Gate Test within two (2) minutes while paddling in tandem.

5. Compare Boy Scout Safety Afloat and the American Whitewater Affiliation Safety Code. Scouts must be able to demonstrate their understanding of this by answering questions from the ACE counselor. These items can be found at:

8. Be ready to explain how to "read" whitewater. Scouts will be asked to do this from shore.

9. Be ready to demonstrate the following paddling strokes and maneuvers:

Forward, backwards, eddy turns and peel-outs, high and low braces. We will use either "sport-yaks" (aka sit-on-top kayaks) or "fun-yaks" (aka duckies) or both.

10. Be ready to demonstrate:

Self and equipment rescue in moving water.

Self-rescue of others in moving water- throw bags, boat assist rescue.

Portaging.

* We can provide a CPR certification course for your scouts. It will take an additional five (5) hours to the two days that are designed for your group to earn their Whitewater Merit Badge. There will also be an additional cost involved that goes to the American Red Cross, for this class. Your scouts will, however, be certified as a CPR provider through the American Red Cross. If you plan on this option we need three (3) weeks lead time to schedule instructors.