2017 Swim Classification # 1

Today, we had our first event for troop swim classifications for 2017.  This year, we had the opportunity to have our first event geared to our younger scouts, who may be taking the BSA Swim test for the first time as a troop member.  We had 9 scouts and 2 adults complete today's test.

As always, we had a few scouts who had done this test before and were good swimmers, we let them go first, and once they completed the requirements, they were free to go.  Some of the younger scouts were pretty good, and completed the test on the first attempt.  And we had a couple of scouts who decided the first time they could not complete test and bailed out of the test 1/2 way through.

Peer pressure is a great tool.  One of the scouts who had completed the test last year, but had a gray beard in the water to cheer them on, decided this year, that he could take his test without having anyone in the water a few feet away.  In other words, this scout had acquired the confidence to complete the required tasks without a nearby person ready to help if he got into trouble.  And this scout completed his test with flying colors.  Well....the other scouts who bailed out 1/2 way through decided they could probably take the test again,  And, you guessed it... they both completed the test and did just as well as the scout who made the test successfully first.

Nobody needled the scouts, threw it in their face that they didn't finish, or said anything to them about not completing the requirements.  It was their choice to try again, after seeing one of their peers complete the requirements.  If he could do it....they could do it.  And they did.  It was a good day.

Additional testing days planned are 4/19/17 and 4/26/17.