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Cub Scout Adventures > 
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 Paddle Craft AOL > 
AOL Launch and Depart Kayak
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Arrow of Light – 5th Grade
Paddle Craft AOL
Elective
Requirement 6

AOL Launch and Depart Kayak

Arrow of Light – 5th Grade
Paddle Craft AOL
Elective
Requirement 6

AOL Launch and Depart Kayak

Snapshot of Activity

Cub Scouts practice how to enter and exit a kayak safely. 

Travel
5
5
5
If you want to know more about The Adventure Activity Key click here.

Before the meeting: 

  1. Locate an area to kayak. 
  2. Review BSA Health and Medical Form for each Cub Scout. 
  3. Secure Qualified Supervision by an adult, 21 or older, who is trained in BSA Safety Afloat. Leadership is provided in ratios of one trained adult per 5 Cub Scouts. At least one leader must be trained in first aid that includes CPR. Any swimming done in conjunction with the activity must be within BSA Safe Swim Defense standards. 

During the meeting: 

  1. Explain to Cub Scouts that they will be learning and practicing how to enter and exit a kayak. 
  2. Ask Cub Scouts to buddy up. 
  3. Assemble Cub Scouts onshore, distribute life jackets and paddles. Everyone puts on their life jacket.  
  4. To enter the kayak: 
    • Start with the kayak on a shallow shoreline. To keep your kayak stable, bring it parallel to the shore.  
    • Use your paddle for balance by placing one end on the shore bank and the other end just behind the cockpit rim of the kayak. Try to keep three points of contact with the boat, such as both hands and a foot, or both feet and your seat.  
    • Slide your legs in and out of the cockpit. Move slowly and keep your body low. 
  5. To exit the kayak: 
    • As you approach the shallow shoreline, paddle the kayak so that it is parallel with the shore.  
    • Use your paddle to stabilize the kayak like you did when you got in.  
    • Lift yourself out of the cockpit and sit on the back of the kayak just behind the cockpit. Take your leg out of the cockpit and place it on the shore. Keeping three points of contact, take your second leg out to exit the kayak. 

Tip: This requirement is done at the same time as requirement 7, 8, and 9. 

Additional Resources

Information about buddy boards can be found in the BSA Aquatics Staff Guide found on the Aquatics Resources webpage. 

Other Activities Options

You can choose other activities of your choice.

Arrow of Light – 5th Grade

AOL Launch and Depart Canoe

Travel
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Cub Scouts practice how to enter and exit a canoe safely. 

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Arrow of Light – 5th Grade

AOL Launch and Depart Stand-up Paddle Board

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Cub Scouts practice how to enter and exit a stand-up paddle board safely.

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Bray Barnes

Director, Global Security Innovative
Strategies

Bray Barnes is a recipient of the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award, Silver
Beaver, Silver Antelope, Silver Buffalo, and Learning for Life Distinguished
Service Award. He received the Messengers of Peace Hero award from
the royal family of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and he’s a life member of
the 101st Airborne Association and Vietnam Veterans Association. Barnes
serves as a senior fellow for the Global Federation of Competitiveness
Councils, a nonpartisan network of corporate CEOs, university presidents, and
national laboratory directors. He has also served as a senior executive for the
U.S. Department of Homeland Security, leading the first-responder program
and has two U.S. presidential appointments

David Alexander

Managing Member Calje

David Alexander is a Baden-Powell Fellow, Summit Bechtel Reserve philanthropist, and recipient of the Silver Buffalo and Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. He is the founder of Caljet, one of the largest independent motor fuels terminals in the U.S. He has served the Arizona Petroleum Marketers Association, Teen Lifeline, and American Heart Association. A triathlete who has completed hundreds of races, Alexander has also mentored the women’s triathlon team at Arizona State University.

Glenn Adams

President, CEO & Managing Director
Stonetex Oil Corp.

Glenn Adams is a recipient of the Silver Beaver, Silver Antelope, Silver Buffalo, and Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. He is the former president of the National Eagle Scout Association and established the Glenn A. and Melinda W. Adams National Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year Award. He has more than 40 years of experience in the oil, gas, and energy fields, including serving as a president, owner, and CEO. Adams has also received multiple service awards from the Texas Alliance of Energy Producers.