04/19/2026
As troops get ready for summer camp and plan water activities, one question comes up a lot: who is allowed to run swim checks?
Swim classification tests are a key part of keeping Scouts safe in the water, whether swimming or boating. All activities must follow core safety guidelines like the Guide to Safe Scouting, Safe Swim Defense, Safety Afloat, and Hazardous Weather training found in my.scouting.
That said, the exact rules can vary depending on the type of activity, where it takes place, and local or state regulations.
To clear up the confusion, Scouts BSA worked with the National Aquatics Subcommittee to better define how swim tests should be handled. Learn the details here:
https://www.scouting.org/program-updates/scouting-america-swim-tests-for-troops/
