Choose your Adventure:
Merit Badge Clinics
The Three Fires Council Aquatics Committee host four Merit Badge clinics to allow scouts the opportunity to earn Aquatics Merit Badges outside of summer Camp. All clinics are hosted by trained Three Fires Council instructors who specialize in the merit badge they are hosting. BSA Swimmer Classification is required for all Scouts who attend the boating related courses.
Spring Canoe Merit Badge Clinic (Coming Soon) Summer White Water Merit Badge Clinic (Coming Soon)
Spring Kayak Merit Badge Clinic (Coming Soon) Fall Canoe Merit Badge Clinic (Coming Soon)
High Adventure
The Pinnacle of any Scouting Career is High Adventure. The Three Fires council has over 4 decades worth of aquatics based high adventure through official BSA programs and non BSA programs including but not limited to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, Quetico Provincial Park, Sylvania Wilderness, New River, and others. Contact us to help your Troop plan an adventure of a lifetime!
Official BSA Programs
Northern Tier Sea Base
Organize your own paddling High Adventure trip or scouting day trips. Check these local outfitters:
Sylvania Wilderness Paddle Illinois Water Trails St. Croix National Scenic Riverway Paddle Wisconsin Rivers
Three Fires Council Aquatics Committee
The Aquatics Committee has overall responsibility for the Council’s aquatics activities in Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturing, Sea Scouts and Exploring. Members of the aquatics committee are experienced Scouters with a background in aquatics or aquatics specialists involved in the Scouting program. The committee currently includes two individuals with a current National Camping School Aquatics Instructor, BSA training card.
Main responsibilities for the committee include year-round activities tailored to Three Fires Council’s aquatic activities, resources, and opportunities. Regular annual events include participation in Training Academy, Merit Badge University, canoeing, whitewater and kayaking merit badges, First Class requirements and pre-camp swim tests.
Committee meetings are held the Fourth Thursday every other month and are open to any registered leader. We are currently meeting in a hybrid format—both live and online. Please contact Don Goff to become part of the committee and help make a difference.
Aquatics Events
| Event | Event Date | Registration Opens | Registration Closes | Capacity |
| Swim Checks | MBU February 24, 2024 | December | Deck entries allowed | 50/ ½ hour |
| Swim Checks | Mar 3, 2024 | Feb 14, 2024 | Deck entries allowed | 50/ ½ hour |
| Swim Checks | May 19, 2024 | Apr 22, 2024 | Deck entries allowed | 50/ ½ hour |
| Mile Swim | Mar 3, 2024 | Feb 14, 2024 | Deck entries allowed | 8/hour |
| Mile Swim | May 19, 2024 | Apr 22, 2024 | Deck entries allowed | 8/hour |
| Canoeing MB | June 2, 2024 | May 6, 2024 | Jun 1, 2024 | 16 |
| Kayaking MB | Aug 27,2023 | tbd | 16 | |
| Kayaking MB | June 9, 2024 | May 6, 2024 | Jun 1, 2024 | 16 |
| Paddle Craft Safety | May 29, 2024 (classroom) and June 2 (canoe) and/or June 9, 2024 (kayak) | tbd | 16 | |
| Aquatics Supervision | MBU February 24, 2024 | NOW | Deck entries allowed | 18 |
| Paddlecraft Safety | May 15 (classroom) and May 19, 2024 (pool) | Apr 15, 2025 | May 15, 2024 | 18 |
Resources
Three Fires Council has kayaks and canoes available to Council units on a first come, first served basis. There are 22 canoes with trailers and 16 kayaks, also with trailers. Council is also providing life jackets and paddles.
These may be reserved from Camp Big Timber through the Council office beginning in 2023. While there is no charge for their use, there is a deposit required which will be returned when the boats and trailers are returned without damage. A donation to help cover the costs of depreciation and wear on the tires and boat equipment is requested.
Meetings
Meetings are generally held at the Council Office in St. Charles and online.
December 12, 2023 - social event only, no business meeting
April 27, 2024 - (before Spring swim checks and other events)
June 15, 2024 (if needed)
August 24, 2024 (fall planning meeting)
