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Requirements January 1928 until January 1 1938, between September 7, 1937 and January 1, 1938 these requirements were optional

            To obtain a merit badge for Canoeing, a scout must first have passed the merit badge tests for Swimming and must:

1. With a companion who has passed the Swimming merit badge tests, demonstrate the proper method of entering and leaving a canoe, pushing off and landing

(a) From and to a pier or float in deep water.

(b) From and to a beach.

2. With a companion, show proper form in paddling both bow and stern, on both sides of the canoe.

3. Alone in a canoe without ballast, paddle a both bow and stern, on both sides of the canoe.

Change paddle to other side and return to starting point.  If a quarter-mile straight-away course is not available, a shorter course may be used, the scout paddling back and forth on a straight line until a quarter mile has been traversed, keeping the paddle always on one side of the canoe; then making the right-about and left-about turns, afterwards shift the paddle to the other side and complete the second quarter-mile with paddle on that side.      

(Applicant must be accompanied by a properly manned and equipped life boat.)

4. Lash paddles to form a portage yoke and carry a 12-foot or longer canoe, 200 yards without stopping.  A companion may assist.

5. Jump out of a canoe in deep water and get back in proper form, without shipping water.  (Applicant must be accompanied by a properly manned and equipped life boat.)

6. Fully dressed, turn a canoe completely over in deep water one-eighth of a mile from a place of landing along shore, if possible; get in and bring the canoe to the landing, and land it high and dry without assistance.  (Applicant must be accompanied by a properly manned and equipped life boat.)

7. (a) Know and demonstrate method of repairing a rip in the canvas cover of a canoe, using such material as he would buy and take with him.

(b) Explain method used when depending on such material only as is provided by nature.

(c) Explain how to repair a rip in the canvas when plank thereunder is broken.

(d) Explain how he would repair, so that he could use it, a paddle broken three inches above the blade.

8. With a companion, and before the examiner, load a canoe in good form with a complete outfit for two scouts for four days, properly trimmed, lashed and protected from wet. (Material of weight and bulk equal to necessary food may be substituted.)  (Paddle a moderate distance, pick camp site, land, unload and make camp as if for the night.  Break camp, repack outfit and return to the start.

9. Know at least two of the standard makes of canoes and types best adapted to trips on lakes or on rivers with quick water.

(a) Describe a birch-bark canoe, a kayak, a dug-out.

(b) Explain what woods make the best paddles, and how long a bow paddle and stern paddle should be.

10. Demonstrate to the satisfaction of the examiner and the court of honor that he has thorough knowledge of the safety rules to be observed which will make him a safe canoeist, and that he is competent to observe the.

11. Promise on his honor to observe these rules and do his best to teach others to observe them whenever he has an opportunity to do so.