Articles on Scouting with special needs and disabilities
This article appeared in the Summer 2020 issue of Abilities Digest. Scouters who support Scouting with special needs through service to units, youth training, leader training, or organization, may be nominated for the Torch of Gold or Woods Services Award. Both of these require nomination. The Torch is presented by each council once a year,... Continue Reading →
The following article appeared in the Fall 2020 issue of Abilities Digest. Your Fellow Scouter Deserves the Torch of Gold If you are reading this article, you probably know a fellow Scouter who has been working diligently in support of Scouts with special needs or disabilities for three years or more. If so, they are... Continue Reading →
This is a brief history of the Woods Services Award and includes a complete list of its recipients.
Richard W. Gambrill, Jr., of White Marsh, Maryland is the 2020 recipient of the Woods Services Award for 2020. The Woods Services Award is given annually by the Woods Services and Residential Treatment Center, to one BSA volunteer for exceptional service and leadership in the field of Special Needs Scouting. Scouting Magazine has also reported... Continue Reading →
The Torch of Gold Award is a council award recognizing adult volunteers for service to Scouting with special needs and abilities. Each council may present one Torch of Gold Award every year. Nomination: Publicize the award in council newsletters and online venues. Volunteers in the council’s special needs and disabilities programs should also nominate people... Continue Reading →
Overview This award was established to provide clear and visible recognition to adults, volunteer and professional, who serve the community of members with disabilities/special needs of the Scouting movement. This award is earned by direct action on behalf of members with disabilities/special needs and by spreading the ideals of inclusiveness, diversity, and disability awareness in... Continue Reading →
District and council volunteers who look over nominations for the Torch of Gold or Woods Services Award may learn of Scouters who don’t receive these awards, but deserve recognition for their service. These Scouters may qualify for the Special Needs Scouting Service Award (SNSSA), an earned recognition. It may be presented to adults, volunteer or... Continue Reading →
The Torch of Gold is a council award given annually to an adult Scouter for dedicated work for youth, particularly Scouts, with disabilities. It is not an award that is earned by simply fulfilling specific requirements. It is given in recognition for service in multiple areas for many years. The nominee should show a level... Continue Reading →
The Woods Services Award is given to one Scouter per year nationally for exceptional service and leadership. The nominee should have served Scouts with disabilities in several capacities at the unit, district, council, or national levels of the Boy Scouts of America. The nominee for this prestigious award must have served Scouts with disabilities for at least... Continue Reading →
Reprinted from the Summer 2018 edition of Abilities Digest Mary Lynne Capen of Patriots Path Council, Northeast Region, is 2018 Woods Services Award recipient. The award was presented at the BSA National Annual Meeting in May. One award is granted nationally each year to the nominated BSA volunteer who best exemplifies exceptional service and leadership... Continue Reading →
