Swimmer Stage 1 Activity Badge

Swimmer Stage 1 Activity Badge

With plenty of practice and a little confidence, gain a swimmer stage badge as you learn to swim with speed and an expert stroke.

At Scouts we're updating the requirements to earn the Swimmer Activity Badges. There will be a cross over of how to earn the badge until August 2025, until then, you can choose to use either set of requirements.

You can view both set of requirements to earn the badge below.

How to earn the Swimmer Activity Badge - Stage 1 (updated Jan 25)

1. Staying safe near water is very important. Learn how you can stay safe while being in or around water. 

• You could learn about different places to swim, learn about safety flags on the beach or even some rules about Swimming pools. 

2. Warming up before swimming helps you move better in the water. Discover ways to stretch your body as part of your warm up before getting in. 

3. It’s time to get in and have a splash around. Learn how to get safely in and out of the water, with support if needed. 

4. Swimming can mean that you need to have your head under the water. Take part in an activity to help you build your confidence in getting your hair wet. 

• You could scoop water over your head or face, blow some bubbles, or dip your head under the water. 

5. Moving away from the wall can help you feel more confident in the water. Push away from the wall on either your front or back and glide further into the middle of the pool. 

• You can do this with or without support from a float. 

6. Floating in the water can help you stay safe, but is also lots of fun. Float on your back or front, with or without support. 

7. Moving through the water helps you get to different places. Have a go at swimming around, and swim at least 5 metres with or without support from a float. 

• You could swim to an adult, to a floating toy or even to the other side of the pool. 

8. Being in the water helps build your confidence but is also good fun. Play a game in the water with your friends and practice the skills you have learnt. 

You could play catch, throw and retrieve an object or have fun with some floats. 

How to earn the Swimmer Activity Badge - Stage 1 (Original requirements, can be used until Aug 25)

1. Learn the general safety rules for swimming (such as not diving into shallow water or not swimming on your own) and where it is safe to swim locally.

2. Show you know how to prepare for exercises such as taking part in a warm up.

3. Demonstrate a controlled entry, without using the steps, into at least 1.5 metres of water.

4. Swim 10 metres on your front.

5. Tread water for 30 seconds in a vertical position.

6. Using a buoyancy aid, float still in the water for 30 seconds.

7. Demonstrate your ability to retrieve an object from chest-deep water.

8. Perform a push and glide on both your front and back.

9. Swim 25 metres without stopping.

10. Take part in an organised swimming activity.