New requirements were released for the Swimming merit badge. Read the following blog to educate yourself on what has changed.

http://blog.scoutingmagazine.org/2014/05/19/swimming-merit-badge-revised-in-time-for-summer-camp/

Here is a quick summary of the changes according to the article:

The new requirements focus more on teaching Scouts correct stroke mechanics while continuing to emphasize basic water skills. Previous requirements like snorkeling, competitive swimming and CPR (which Scouts learn more fully in other merit badges anyway) have been removed.

With the new requirements, the goal is to teach Scouts to swim with greater ease and efficiency, as well as keep them safe in and around the water.

Are you going to start your troop on the new requirements this summer?