The basic premise of Scouting for youth with disabilities is that all youth want to participate fully and be respected like every other member of the unit. While there are, by necessity, units exclusively composed of Scouts with disabilities, experience has shown that Scouting usually succeeds best when every Scout is part of a regular unit.
The Cradle of Liberty Council Advancement & Recognition Committee is charged with providing guidance and training to families and volunteers as they provide the Scouting program to Scouts with disabilities and special needs. Click here to contact the staff adviser to the Special Needs Committee, should you wish to work with the committee or request assistance.
A Scouts BSA with a permanent physical or mental disability may request changes in the Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class ranks. Any desired changes must be submitted to the council advancement committee for approval, using the Alternate Rank Requirements Form.
A Scouts BSA with a permanent physical or mental disability may select an alternate merit badge in lieu of a required merit badge if his disabling condition prohibits the Scout from completing the necessary requirements of a particular required merit badge. This substitute should provide a similar learning experience. Full guidelines and explanations for alternate merit badges are available on the National Council website and on the Application for Alternate Eagle Scout Rank Merit Badges, No. 58-730. The local council advancement committee must approve the application.
The Cub Scout advancement program is so flexible that, with guidance, most boys can do the skills. It might take longer for a disabled boy to earn his awards, but he will appreciate them more by knowing he has made the effort. The standard for every boy is “Has he done his best?”
A Cub Scout who is physically disabled may be given permission by the Cubmaster and pack committee to substitute electives for achievement requirements that are beyond his abilities. It is best to include parents in this process of determining substitutions since they are most familiar with their son’s abilities.
Resources and Information for Scouts with Special Needs
To view a webinar presentation that was given on this topic, click here to view this webinar
To view a powerpoint presentation that was give for the webinar, click here
Please visit colbsa.org/hours for the holiday hours of the resource center and the scout shop.
