Who can earn this patch?

All Daisy, Brownie and Junior Girl Scouts can receive this patch for completing the Whale Tales program.

Why should you earn this patch?

Home drownings have claimed the lives of many children. More and more children are being exposed to this danger because of the increase in the numbers of backyard pools in neighborhoods. American Red Cross and Girl Scouts believe that one way to reduce drownings in children ages 5 to 14 is to teach water safety.

What is included in this patch kit?

The kit contains five lessons for grades K-6 with three extra lessons for grades 4-6. Each lesson includes a poster with a rule for the day and a lesson plan. The information was written to be taught by individuals with no prior water safety training and may even be taught by a non-swimmer.

5 Basic Lessons:

• Swim with a Buddy in a Supervised Area-the most important safety rule.
• Be Cool, Follow the Rule-the reason for most water safety rules.
• Look Before You Leap-pick safe places to swim and dive.
• Think So You Don't Sink-what to do when things go wrong, such as leg cramps, exhaustion, or getting caught in a fast-moving current.
• Reach or Throw, Don't Go-ways to rescue a swimmer in trouble.

3 Additional Lessons:

• Don't Just Pack It, Wear Your Jacket-discusses life jackets.
• Cold can Kill-how to rescue someone who has fallen into cold water.
• Learn About Boating Before You Go Floating-safe boating practices.

Who can teach this program?

Cadette and Senior Whale Tales Program Aides or any adult may teach this program.

How can I get a kit?

Check out a Whale Tales teaching kit from the council library.

Who keeps records of how many girls take this course?

We have entered into an agreement with all the Red Cross Chapters in our council area to conduct this course. An attendance form (on patch order form) must be filled out upon completion of the course, whether you order the patch or not, and turned in to the Vice President of Program Services and Property at the Girl Scout Council. These numbers will be compiled and turned in to your local Red Cross for their records.

What do girls receive for their participation?

A participation patch with certificate is available from the Council Store for $1.50 per person.

The Whale Tales design is copywritten art work and the Girl Scout Council of the Catawba Valley Area has permission to use this design for the patch.

The Whale Tales Report Form (PDF Format) available to send to the council after your troop completes the patch program.

PLEASE NOTE: The brochure is an Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) file. To view this file, you must have the FREE Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer. Please click on the following link to download the FREE Adobe Acrobat Reader.