Be Prepared to earn awards this summer

You and your Scout might already be looking forward to summertime fun. It’s a great time to get outdoors, earn some awards a little more conducive to the season and make lifelong memories. But to ensure maximum enjoyment, you should make sure you’re in shape to accomplish your goals.

As Scouting magazine columnist Jeff Csatari points out in the latest issue, now is the time to get physically fit for the summer. His column on the Mile Swim BSA award breaks down how you can gradually train for the challenging award. The Boy Scouts of America offers many awards, some perfect to do during the summer, like hiking, conservation and, especially, aquatics. Some of these are physically demanding; here are tips for preparing for these activities:

If you need a little inspiration, check out this story of a Scouter who lost 150 pounds in less than nine months so he could go on a Philmont trek with his son.

Awards to work on

Did you know there are some awards you can earn with your Scout? Here are a few summer-conducive honors you might want to look at:

For Cub Scouts:

For Scouts BSA, Venturers, Sea Scouts or Explorers:

For adults:


About Michael Freeman 467 Articles
Michael Freeman, an Eagle Scout, is an associate editor of Scout Life and Scouting magazines.