Comments on: Scouting Inclusion Policies & Special Needs

By: John Heuchan

John Heuchan — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 03:51:34 +0000

I would like to day the Boy Scout’s is starting to make stride toward a better diversity. howver, it is mainly up to the volunteers and what they do, both good and bad. I try not to sugar coat it.

I have taken the challenge and I am the Chairman for the Committee for Scouts with Disabilites and Special Needs within the Baltimore Area Council. We, the committee are making stride forward but have a way to go. It takes lot of work with lots of volunteers. We are making strides in the advancement areas and working with the scouts.

Many scouters are learning that working with these scouts can be a wonderful thing. I have seen many of the scouts work harder and more as a team than others. It is not that they are not well educated, but it is the mechanism of getting their thoughts and feelings across and out. However it takes find the right unit and leadership even if it is strating your own unit.. You might be surprised by the numbers out there.

we have tried to streamline many procedures that got bogged down because “it is not the way it was done in the past”. My son is in a special needs unit and it works for him.

By: Girl Scouts and Special Needs | Kidneys and Eyes

Girl Scouts and Special Needs | Kidneys and Eyes — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 13:21:29 +0000

[...] wrote an article a while back on Support for Special Needs about Scouting and Inclusiveness. It fits nicely with what is going on now because Quinnlin will be enjoying [...]

By: Barbara

Barbara — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 12:26:02 +0000

True for inclusion in public schools, too. Regulations do not make it happen – people do.

By: Nancy Foreman

Nancy Foreman — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 21:47:05 +0000

I appreciate your writing about this. There have been several groups my ADHD son has not been able to continue in. You offer a possible solution here that some of us may not have considered — actively seeking groups with a special needs friendly culture. Thank you!

By: Julia Roberts

Julia Roberts — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 06:12:41 +0000

I have strong feelings about the policies and gay men and women to be horrible as well, but I’ve found at the local level, here anyway, that is largely ignored. I’ve talked to a few people (one at the corporate office) who basically said, the tide is changing; one day those old men in the boardroom will be dead and new, open minded people will be at the helm, and I believe that.

But yes, the inclusion…completely random. I wish I had known to look more carefully way back when.

By: Julia Roberts

Julia Roberts — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 06:09:42 +0000

Yes…so lucky! I guess like with anything out in the world, it’s a crap shoot, huh? Hope for the best and plan and hope it works out.

By: Julia Roberts

Julia Roberts — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 06:08:32 +0000

Thanks Sugar. It’s true, there is a lot. Luckily I didn’t wake up and have to deal with it all; there was a lot of time between the beginning and now, giving me time to grow and learn! Or I’d be a bigger mess!

By: Around the Community | Support for Special Needs

Around the Community | Support for Special Needs — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 13:00:43 +0000

[...] have been wonderful posts on this site. It was really interesting to read Julia’s post about scouting and special needs. My family doesn’t participate in the Cub or Girl Scouts, so it’s really interesting to [...]

By: Julia Roberts

Julia Roberts — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 15:38:40 +0000

I am so glad that Catie found a troop that is right for her! It never even occurred to me to check into the culture of the troop before Q and G joined…

By: Julie

Julie — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 13:02:47 +0000

My husband would love for Dylan to be a scout. However, their stance on allowing gay men and women as troop leaders and their reputation for not being a very inclusive program has made us say no. Your post really drives it home. I think finding a good troop (for a special needs kids) is more of the exception than the rule.