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 mid-May in Tipperary Park across from Queens Ave. United Church. Some Scouters need to be there early to set up the tarp and the cargo net.

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), the Section move-up ceremonies, and then end with some games and snacks. Bets are often taken as to which youth will fall in the creek.

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 don’t usually wear their new Scout uniform to Leap Up, i.e. wait until the next meeting.

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/Venturers Sections should buy some link badges from the Scout Shop to present to their incoming youth.

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 from the patrol boxes).
• Large rope from locker to tie cargo net in tree (the smaller tug-of-war rope).
• Small ropes to hang Canadian Flag.
• First aid kit.
• Section flags.
• Flag block.
• Loose Canadian Flag for flag break.
• There is an extension ladder in Queens Ave. Church which we can use to tie up the cargo net.

Get the following gear from the Carriage House:

• Cargo net (no charge).

Buy the following:

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