Swim Up

"Swim Up / Leap Up / Climb Up / Swagger Up" is an all-Section ceremony where the older youth move up to the next Section. Beavers "swim" up to Cubs, Cubs "leap" up to Scouts, Scouts "climb" up to Venturers, and Venturers "swagger" up to Rovers.

We usually hold the ceremony in June in Queens Park. Some Scouters need to be there early to set up the tarp and the climbing rope.

The Scouter manual has the procedure for the Sections to follow. The Section Scouters should be familiar with the process of how to thank the youth who are moving up, and how to welcome the new youth into their Section. It is a big park, so the Scouters needs to be very loud so the entire Group can hear.

We typically do all the Section openings in order (Beavers>Cubs>Scouts>Venturers>Rovers), the Section move-up ceremonies, and then end with some games and snacks/potluck. Bets are often taken as to which youth will get soaked in the spray pool.

Prior to Swim Up / Leap Up / Climb Up, it is encouraged to have some linking activities so the youth who are moving up are familiar with the new Section.

Link badges should be presented at the following Section meeting. The colour on the old link badges show the progress through the Sections from Beavers (brown) to Cubs (grey) to Scouts (green) to Venturers (blue) to Rovers (red). The new ones show the progression from Beaver paws to hiking boots.

Beavers

Beavers who are moving up wear both their old and new uniforms. Beavers wear a Cub Uniform under their Beaver Uniform.

The Beavers moving up repeat the Beaver promise and then are wished well by their Section Scouter. Those who have completed the requirements are presented with the North Star award.

They then “swim” up a creek (blue tarp) and duck behind a hanging tarp where the lightning “transforms” them into Cubs. They are then presented to, and welcomed into, the Pack.

Cubs

Cubs often don’t usually wear their new Scout uniform to Leap Up, i.e. wait until the next meeting. Some do have their new uniforms... we should discuss this and suggest consistency.

The Cubs moving up are wished well by Akela and often given a grand howl or three cheers. Those who have completed the requirements are presented with the Seeonee award.

They “leap” over a fire, and are presented to, and welcomed into, the Scout Troop.

Scouts

Scouts don’t usually wear their new Venturer uniform to Climb Up, i.e. wait until the next meeting.

The Scouts moving up are wished well by their Troop Scouter.

They “climb” up to Venturers by scaling a cargo net, and are presented to, and welcomed into, the Venturer Company.

Venturers

Venturers don’t usually wear their new Rover uniform to Swagger Up, i.e. wait until the next meeting.

The Venturers moving up are wished well by their Company Scouter.

They also “climb” or "swagger" up to Rovers by scaling a cargo net, and are welcomed into the Rover Crew.

Before the event, remember to do the following:

• The Cub/Scout/Venturer/Rover Sections should buy some link badges from the Scout Shop to present to their incoming youth.
• The Section Scouters need to be familiar with the procedure.
• Plan a wide game so the youth are not simply milling about.

Get the following gear from the locker:

• Tug of war rope.
• Two large blue tarps (one for a river and one for a wall to have the Beavers hide behind while changing into their Cub uniforms).
• Long ropes to hang the tarp (borrow the large box of ropes).
• Small ropes to hang the Canadian Flag.
• First aid kit.
• Section flags.
• Large round of wood used as the Flag block.
• Loose Canadian Flag for flag break. (Typically located on the high shelf above the 10x10 shelters).
• Firewood or campfire for the Cubs to leap over. There is a "campfire" in the locker (three sticks lashed together with colourful flames). There is also one that plugs in.

Buy the following:

• Juice and cookies.
• Bring paper cups, not Styrofoam!