Scouting, Volume 31, Number 5, May 1943 Page: 20
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can pass a jump test . . . the ability
to jump into deep water, feet first,
come to a swimming position, and
swim a given distance to shore.
You might find it advantageous
to build a practice rail in the water.
With this, they may practice first
the kick, then the arm stroke, with-
out getting into deep water. Make
your swimming period a happy one.
Make it fun, not work. Remember
how much fun swimming was for
you, in the old swimming hole.
For more complete details on
teaching swimming, read pages
27-37 in Swimming, Water Sports
and Safety.
Swimming Merit Badge
Instruction
Unless you are an expert, send
your Scout to your local Merit
Badge Counselor. He will know the
four required strokes, and no doUbt
will be in a better position to
teach them. But if you wish to
teach these strokes, as well as
surface diving, floating and life
saving methods, read the Swim-
ming Merit Badge Pamphlet, or
Swimming, Water Sports and
Safety, both published by the Boy
Scouts of America.
Emergency Swimming
Recent studies show that present
emergency conditions necessitated
a revision in the presentation of
swimming techniques. Formerly,
speed strokes and fancy diving re-
ceived a major emphasis. But now
the outmoded side stroke and
equally humble back stroke have
come back. Jumping has taken the
place of diving, and surface dives
have received a renewed emphasis.
There are several reasons for this
change in approach. The back
stroke is important now because it
enables the swimmer to conserve
his energy, and swim for a longer
period. Then too, he can watch
for danger, or help and crash dive
or signal for aid accordingly. Ex-
perts say that swimmers on their
back are less subject to injury
from bombs or depth charges ex-
ploding in the water.
The breast stroke has been rec-
ommended for members of the
Merchant Marine, who may at any
time, find themselves forced to
abandon their ship, and swim
through a sea of oil, to reach
safety.
Surface diving is important
knowledge too, both head and feet
first. Many a member of the armed
forces has escaped injury by be-
ing able to crash dive, as enemy
planes or ships opened fire on him
as he struggled in the water.
Teach your Scouts to swim si-
lently, and to leave and enter the
water soundlessly. By using the
good old dog paddle, or even the
breast stroke, they can learn to
swim with scarcely a sound. Show
them how to practice these strokes,
so that they can use them smoothly
and naturally. Someday, this
knowledge may save their lives.
Aquatic Demonstration
An interesting way to conclude
your month of swimming instruc-
tion, which has included all your
Scouts, from beginner to Senior
Scout, would be with a demonstra-
tion for parents. Arrange a series of
exhibits, demonstrating different
strokes, with races using them.
Show emergency dives, and silent
swimming. Demonstrate the life
saving techniques taught the Swim-
ming Merit Badge winners. Show
your parents that "Be Prepared"
is something more than mere
words; show them that Toughen
Up, Buckle Down, and Carry on
to Victory is more than a slogan,
that it is a program of action.
Dad's Day Hike
Select a time when the largest
number of Scouts and their
fathers can attend, and plan a
hike to a previously selected spot.
After arrival, play one or two get
acquainted games. Then start the
preparation for the meal. Chicken
or fish might be best because of
rationing, with baked potatoes
and biscuits. Use the hole method
of cooking for the chicken and
potatoes as described elsewhere in
this issue, and use a reflector oven
for the biscuits. Complete details
and recipes will be found in the
Handbook for Scoutmasters, The
Handbook for Boys, or The Patrol
Leaders Handbook. If neither fish
nor chicken are practical, make a
hunter's stew or some other one-
pot meal.
While the meal is being cooked,
plan a short nature hike in the
nearby woods, with a Scout as
leader, or better yet plan a dem-
onstration by the Scouts for their
fathers. Signaling contests, knot
relays, first aid exhibits, fire by
friction races, fire building races
and observation contests would
tend to show the fathers the value
of Scouting skills. Just before the
meal is ready, play a game such
as the stalking game described in
the Games section of this issue,
and invite the fathers to play.
After eating, a songfest might
be held around the fire, follow-
ing which the hike home would
start.
nn
20 SCOUTING
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Boy Scouts of America. Scouting, Volume 31, Number 5, May 1943, periodical, May 1943; New York, New York. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth313093/m1/22/: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Boy Scouts of America National Scouting Museum.