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Requirements January 1969 through June 1972

In keeping with established policy, it is understood that where compliance with the health and/or dental Requirements 1 and 5 is in violation of the religious convictions of the individual, such requirement or requirements will be set aside on the presentation of a certification by the boy's parents and proper church official that:

(a) A definite violation of religious conviction is involved.

(b) The parents accept full responsibility for any consequence of such exemption and release the Boy Scouts of America from any responsibility.

1. Before you attempt to meet any other requirements, have your doctor give you a thorough health examination, including a vision test, using the standard Scout medical examination form. Describe the examination to your counselor and tell him what questions you asked about your health, what advice and recommendations your doctor made, and what you have done about them.

2. Explain to your counselor what physical and mental health means to you including:

(a) Reasons for being fit.
(b) Normal differences in rate of growth and development.
(c) What it means to be mentally healthy, discussing three healthy personality traits.

3. Demonstrate a knowledge of health facts by answering questions asked by your counselor on the following:

(a) Basic foods essential to the daily diet of a person of your age.
(b) Cleanliness of the hands, food, and dishes in the control of illness.
(c) Harmful effects of tobacco and alcohol, and the use and abuse of drugs.
(d) The illnesses against which you may be immunized or otherwise protected.

4. Present a list of your personal health habits including:

(a) Number of hours of sleep.
(b) Care of your skin, hands, fingernails, toenails.
(c) Care of your eyes.
(d) Care of your ears.

5. Have an examination made by your dentist and submit a statement certifying that your teeth have been examined and properly cared for. Also submit your own statement on how you care for your teeth.

6. Carry out daily for 4 weeks six exercises suitable for all-around physical development, including those that strengthen the muscles of your arms, shoulders, chest, abdomen, back, legs, and one to increase your endurance. Select at least three activities from Requirement 7 and test yourself at the beginning and weekly during this training period and show the record of your test to your counselor. This requirement to be completed before undertaking Requirement 7.

7. Personal Fitness Tests: The candidate for the badge must earn a minimum of 200 points to complete this requirement. These 200 points must be accumulated in not more than five events. (Only one alternate, A or B, is allowed per event. This restriction prevents a candidate from earning the badge by numerous poor performances.)

EVENT 1 Swimming (50 point maximum)

A. 20-yard speed swim--5 points for each second faster than 25 seconds

B. Distance swim--50 points for swimming 1 mile, 25 points for swimming 1/2 mile

EVENT 2 Arm Strength (50 point maximum)

A. Pull-ups--10 points for each pull-up

B. Push-ups--2 points for each push-up

EVENT 3 Abdominal Power (50 point maximum)

A. Bent-knee sit-ups--1 point for each sit-up

EVENT 4 Speed Running (50 point maximum)

A. 50-yard dash--2 points for each 1/10 of a second faster than 9 seconds

B. 40-yard shuttle run--2 points for each 1/10 of a second faster than 12 seconds

EVENT 5 Endurance Running or Walking (50 point maximum)

A. 600-yard run-walk--1 point for each second faster than 2 minutes 50 seconds

B. Mile walk--10 points for each minute faster than 18 minutes

EVENT 6 Jumping (50 point maximum)

A. Standing long jump--5 points for each inch over 5 feet

B. Vertical jump and reach--5 points for each inch over 9 inches

EVENT 7 Body Coordination (50 point maximum)

A. Basketball throw--2 points for each foot over 50 feet

B. Softball throw--1 point for each foot over 100 feet.

8. Demonstrate to the satisfaction of your counselor reasonable proficiency in one team or one individual sport.