Hi all. (I'm returning to the forum after many years away.)
The short version is: as an experienced BSA summer camp lifeguard
I believe every camper should re-take the swim test at camp.
Long Version:
BSA swimmer test = jump in water over your head, swim 100 yds using selected strokes.
BSA beginner test = jump in water over your head, swim 50 yds. using any stoke.
As a youth, I spent a summer as a waterfront camp counselor (camp had a lake with docks).
We had probably 150-200 campers per week and it was my job to administer the beginner swim test 50-70 kids per week.
The first week went well, after that I had to rescue/assist 1-3 kids (out of 50!!) every single week, during the swim test. In almost every case the problem occurred as soon as they jumped in the water.
Many of these kids probably COULD swim 25-50 yards, but couldn't handle jumping into deep water.
Of the 15 or so kids I rescued that summer only ONE insisted he really could pass the test, and accepted our offer of re-test.
The lesson here is that a VERY high portion of scouts are eager to be designated "beginner" swimmers before they are ready. They are so eager they are willing to risk their lives to do it.
Given that observed fact, I think the odds are high that many scouts will attempt to "pull a fast one" on their SM if the SM administers the swim test prior to camp.
Camp staff should personally test every camper wishing "beginner" classification, I don't care if B-P himself signed their card. If they are going to do that they might as well observe everyone's test.
(This message has been edited by LIBob)
