My son,now Eagle Scout, completed the hiking merit badge because he had a medical problem that prohibited him from jumping into water over his head. Our troop has had several boys who did not like to swim or who could not float and completed the hiking or cycling as well. We have always had good adult and scout support (scout spirit) to help these who have chosen to under take these badges. On the hiking/cycling we usually have 2 adults in a chase vehicle in case of emergency, inaddition to the 2 or more participating with the boys. The parks in our area have some really good hiking and biking trails that we can get maps for.
My youngest completed the swimming merit badge at his first summer camp but has went on some hikes with older boys doing the hiking merit badge to support them. We do a 10 miler to a hamburger stand north of our town that is a little over 5 miles each way. There are always boys ready for this hike as they get a break and a burger half way through.
