Tigers in the Water Adventure for 2024

This for the 2024 program year Cub Scout updates. This is a preview and is not official information yet. This new program takes effect on June 1, 2024. See more details about the overall program updates here.

The Tigers in the Water Adventure is a fun and educational experience for young Scouts. It helps Tigers learn important swimming skills and safety rules. It focuses on personal fitness and safety in the water.

In this Tigers in the Water adventure, Tigers work closely with their adult partners, usually a parent or guardian. Together, they explore different activities in a swimming area. These activities are not just about swimming but also about building confidence and understanding safety in the water.

Safety is a big part of this Tigers in the Water adventure. Tigers learn the rules they need to follow to be safe around water. They practice these rules by doing different tasks in a swimming pool or similar environment. This helps them feel more comfortable and safe when they are near water.

By working on the Tigers in the Water Adventure, Scouts develop basic swimming skills and learn to respect the water. They also spend quality time with their adult partners, strengthening their relationships. This adventure lays a foundation for a lifetime of safe and enjoyable activities in the water.

Requirements for the Tigers in the Water Adventure

Tigers in the Water Adventure Requirements

1. Learn about the swimming safety rules that you need to follow.
2. Demonstrate how to enter the swimming area properly.
3. With your Tiger adult partner as your buddy, be active in water depths matching your ability for 20 minutes.
4. Place your face in the water and blow bubbles.
5. Demonstrate a flutter kick.
6. Demonstrate how to exit properly from the swimming area.

Resources for the Tigers in the Water Adventure

Swimming Safety

In the Tigers in the Water Adventure, the first requirement is to learn about swimming safety rules. These rules are important to keep everyone safe in and around water. Here are some key rules that Tigers learn:

• Always swim with a buddy: Never swim alone. Always have a friend or family member with you in the water.
• Get permission before entering the water: Always ask an adult or lifeguard if it is safe to go into the water.
• Look for a safe area: Only swim in areas that are marked for swimming. Make sure the area is clean and free of hazards.
• Know your limits: Stay in water depths that are safe for your swimming ability.
• Listen to the lifeguards and adults: Always follow the instructions of lifeguards or supervising adults.

Safe Swim Defense is the BSA’s required training for all swimming activities. Adult leaders supervising a swimming activity must have completed the training within the previous two years.

These rules help ensure that swimming activities are safe and enjoyable for everyone involved.

Entering the Water

For the Tigers in the Water Adventure, requirement 2 focuses on demonstrating how to enter the swimming area properly. This is an important skill that helps ensure safety when starting to swim. Here’s how Tigers are taught to enter the swimming area correctly:

• Check for safety: Before entering the water, look around to make sure the area is safe and that an adult is watching.
• Use the buddy system: Always enter the water with your buddy, not alone.
• Use proper entry points: Enter the water only at designated points such as a dock or beach entry. Avoid jumping or diving unless the water depth is known to be safe and such actions are allowed.
• Enter slowly: Walk slowly into the water to avoid slipping or startling yourself with sudden changes in water temperature.
• Follow adult guidance: Listen to any instructions from an adult or lifeguard about the correct way to enter the water in that specific location.

These steps help Tigers learn to be cautious and respectful of the water, promoting a safe swimming environment.

Get in the Water

In the Tigers in the Water Adventure, requirement 3 involves being active in water depths that match the Tiger’s ability for 20 minutes, with a Tiger adult partner acting as a buddy. This activity encourages both safety and fun while in the water.

Here are fun group activities which are even appropriate in the shallow section, suitable for Tigers and their adult partners:

• Treasure Hunt: Scatter some waterproof toys or items on the bottom of the shallow end. Have the Tigers and their partners search for these items together.
• Pass the Ball: Use a beach ball or a soft water ball to play a game of pass or keep-away. This helps build water comfort and teamwork skills.
• Duck, Duck, Splash: A watery version of “Duck, Duck, Goose”. Instead of running, the Tiger taps heads and says “duck” until they choose someone and say “splash”, then gently splash water towards them before that Scout chases them around a circle formed by other players.
• Simon Says: Play “Simon Says” with simple water-based actions like “splash water”, “float on your back”, or “kick your legs”.
• Follow the Leader: Have an adult lead a line of Tigers around the shallow end, doing different simple water movements like arm circles, leg kicks, or walking through the water.

These activities make the time in the water enjoyable and engaging, helping Tigers feel more comfortable and confident while they learn basic swimming and safety skills.

Blow Bubbles

In the Tigers in the Water Adventure, requirement 4 is about placing your face in the water and blowing bubbles. This exercise helps Tigers get comfortable with having their face in the water, which is a basic and important swimming skill.

To make this fun and less intimidating for Tigers who might be hesitant, here are some suggestions:

• Bubble Contest: Turn it into a game by seeing who can make the most bubbles or the biggest bubble. This adds a playful challenge.
• Imaginary Play: Encourage them to pretend they are fish or sea creatures blowing bubbles underwater. This can spark their imagination and make the activity more engaging.
• Practice Outside the Pool: Start practicing blowing bubbles in a bowl of water at home to build confidence before trying in the pool.

Using these fun and engaging methods can help reduce anxiety and make the experience enjoyable, encouraging Tigers to be more open to trying and learning new things in the water.

Flutter Kick

In the Tigers in the Water Adventure, requirement 5 involves demonstrating the flutter kick. This is a basic swimming technique where you kick your legs straight up and down in a small, rapid motion. It’s a key part of freestyle and backstroke swimming.

To make learning the flutter kick fun for Tigers, here are some creative ideas:

• Kickboard Races: Use kickboards and have races across the shallow end. Tigers can focus on using their legs to propel themselves forward, making it a fun competition.
• Bubble Chase: Have Tigers practice their flutter kicks while trying to chase and pop bubbles created by an adult or another swimmer in the pool.
• Sing Along: Create a simple song or chant to keep rhythm while they hold on to the wall and kick. This can help keep their movements steady.

These activities not only make the learning process enjoyable but also help Tigers improve their flutter kick technique in an engaging way.

Exit the Swimming Area

In the Tigers in the Water Adventure, requirement 6 teaches Tigers how to exit the swimming area properly. This skill is crucial for safety and ensures that Scouts can leave the water safely and efficiently.

• Use Designated Exits: Always leave the water at points that are meant for exiting, like a ladder, steps, or a shallow end, not over barriers or non-designated areas.
• Exit Slowly and Carefully: Walk slowly out of the water to prevent slipping or tripping. Water areas can be slippery.
• Keep Hands Free: Make sure hands are free and not holding toys or other items, so you can use them to balance or hold onto safety rails if available.
• Wait for Your Turn: If using a ladder or steps, wait for the person in front of you to move safely onto the deck before you start your exit.
• Exit with Your Buddy: You and your buddy must exit one after another. Keep an eye on each other until both of you have safely exited.
• Check in with Adult Supervision: Make sure an adult is nearby and aware that you are exiting the water.

These simple steps help ensure that exiting the water is as safe as entering it, reducing the risk of accidents near the water.

Frequently Asked Questions for the Tigers in the Water Adventure

What should my Tiger wear for the Tigers in the Water Adventure?

Your Tiger should wear a swimsuit and sunscreen.

Do parents need to be in the water with their Tiger?

Yes, a Tiger’s adult partner must be in the water with them during the adventure to ensure safety and help with the activities.

What if my Tiger is scared of putting his face in the water?

Start slow. Let him practice by putting just his nose or lips in the water first. Praise small steps and be patient.

How do we show we’ve completed each requirement?

Tell the den leader. The den leader will check off each requirement as your Tiger completes them.

Splashing Into Skills

The Tigers in the Water Adventure is a great way for young Scouts to learn about swimming and water safety. This adventure is designed for first graders in the Cub Scouts program. It focuses on helping them build confidence and skills in the water.

The adventure starts with learning important swimming safety rules. Tigers learn to enter and exit the swimming area properly. These skills teach them to be careful and respect the water. Tigers also spend time in the water with their adult partners. They practice activities like blowing bubbles and doing the flutter kick. These activities help them get used to the water and start learning to swim.

Safety is a big part of this adventure. Tigers learn to always swim with a buddy and listen to adults. They practice in water that matches their ability. This keeps them safe while they learn.

This adventure is more than just swimming. It’s about spending time with family, having fun, and learning to be safe around water. It’s a great way for Tigers to start enjoying swimming and other water activities safely.