August 2025

Scout Merit Badges

Involving LAX Members and Scouts

At the recommendation and with the organization of Scout Master and LAX Associate Member Brian Kelly, a group of club volunteers provided 16 boy and girl Scouts four evenings of sailing experience in August of 2025. Scouts sailed cruisers, daysailer, and board boats. They learned how to recover a capsized small boat, tie important knots, identify sailing terms and sail boats with various sail configurations.

The Merit Badge

Discuss the nine points of the Scouting America Safety Afloat plan

1. Qualified Supervision

2. Personal Health Review

3. Swimming Ability

4. Life Jackets

5. Buddy System

6. Skill Proficiency

7. Planning

8. Equipment

9. Discipline

Explain the rules of the road in general and any specific rules or laws that apply to your area or state.

Right of way

WI specific - Registration

Explain how water conditions, the hazards of weather, and heavy winds can affect both safety and performance in sailing.

Discuss the warning signs of inclement weather and what to do should heavy winds develop or a storm approach.

Prepare a typical float plan

Written information searchers or rescuers would need in an emergency

Who is on board

Origin and Destination

Date and time of departure

Expected date and time of return

Expected route

Boat name and number

Emergency contact

Discuss the proper clothing, footwear, and personal gear required for small-boat sailing in warm weather and in cool weather. Explain how choosing the proper clothing, footwear, and personal gear will help keep you comfortable and safe while sailing.

Warm weather - shorts or other clothes that don't impact mobility

Cool weather - layering

Closed-toe shoes

Sailing Gloves

Sun Protection

Discuss with your counselor how to identify the wind direction and wind indicators. Explain the importance of this task before setting sail.

Ripples on the water

telltales

Windex

Flags

Sail behavior

Describe the boat you will be using for the sailing requirement, naming all of the major parts and the function of those parts.