Scuba Merit Badge - $289

Recently the Boy Scouts of America announced a Scuba Merit Badge Program. It is one of the most exciting and rewarding programs in the Scout Program. Achievement of the Scuba Merit Badge will result in an Open Water Diver Certification. This is your ticket to a lifetime of intense adventure with Scuba. Thank you for choosing the Academy of Scuba, the dive company that sets the training standard in the Arizona diving community.

After our scouts are certified, they will have the ability to go Scuba diving in a variety of environments and continue their education as they progress through scouting.

The Scuba Merit Badge and Open Water Diver Certification has four parts:

Throughout the Scuba Diving Merit Badge Program, you’ll learn the fundamentals of Scuba diving including dive equipment, safety protocols, and techniques. You earn the Open Water Scuba Diver rating and Merit Badge by completing four parts of the course:

1. Reading the Scuba Merit Badge Booklet and Meeting the BSA Requirements
2. Completing the Self Study and Knowledge Development Portion of the Open Water Diver Course
3. Classroom and Confined Water (Pool) Training Sessions (Skill Development)
4. Open Water Training Sessions (Skill Evaluation)

As a certified Open Water Diver, you will have the freedom to dive, around the world, with a buddy, independent of a dive professional. Your dive certification card will become your passport to adventure! Your Merit Badge will get you one step closer to becoming an Eagle Scout.

How long it takes

Academy of Scuba Dive Programs are performance based.  You proceed as you demonstrate mastery of the skills.  This allows you to work at a pace that is comfortable for you.  However, normally you will have 1-2 days of class and pool work and two (1/2) days in the open water. In order to complete your open water training dives, you will have the option of doing them in one weekend, on Saturday morning and Sunday morning, or over two weekends, on Saturday morning each weekend. Please discuss your schedule with your instructor and troop liaison for exact times and dates.

How to get started

Virtually anyone who is in good health, reasonably fit, and comfortable in the water can earn an Open Water Diver certification. Junior Open Water Divers start at the early age of 10, although special requirements are mandated for minors under 15. Click here to sign up!

Where to go from here

Your adventure continues after you are certified as an Open Water Diver. Special interest classes and advanced diving programs are available to help you take the next step in exploring the underwater world. We custom tailor our advanced programs for each individual.