Articles on Scouting with special needs and disabilities
The following was a response to a problem encountered by a Scout parent. It originally appeared in the Summer 2020 issue of Abilities Digest. Here is the dilemma: the Scout has immunization problems and the Scout’s physician suggests the Scout be isolated while camping. The unit leadership does not agree. Having a special needs child... Continue Reading →
An Adaptive Philmont Adventure for Scouts with Special Needs and Disabilities June 27-July 3, 2021. The Zia Experience is a modified BSA Family Adventure Camp at the Philmont Training Center focusing on giving Scouts with special needs and disabilities, their parent(s), family members, and/or caregiver(s) new and exciting Philmont adventures! This experience is designed to... Continue Reading →
An edited version of this article also appear in the May/June 2020 issue of Advancement News. Physical disabilities require thorough advance preparation. Every kind of mobility equipment has limitations and, even with mobility equipment, there are places a Scout cannot go unless access provisions are made in advance. There are many activities that a Scout... Continue Reading →
UPDATE: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Zia Experience has been rescheduled to the summer of 2021. The Zia Experience: July 26-Aug 1, 2020 at Philmont Training Center. This is to be a Philmont experience for Scouting youth at all levels of functioning and abilities. Here is a flier: the-zia-experience-flierDownload
Alternative advancement requirements bring the challenge within the capability of the Scout, but the Scout must still have the desire and willpower to meet the challenge. No Scout is asked to attempt an advancement challenge beyond his or her capability, if that capability can be objectively determined. A Scout is never set up for failure,... Continue Reading →
The COPE course was not the only focus of disability adaptations at Philmont Training Center last summer. Instructors and participants in the DIVERSEability and DisABILITY training course experienced several other adaptations. Long-time PTC instructor Scott Hellen (on left) was pleased to find the classrooms already prepared for individuals in wheelchairs. In a previous summer the PTC... Continue Reading →
Last summer, Scouter Angela Glunt participated in the Philmont training course DIVERSEability and DisABILITY. Here are her experiences in adapting the COPE Challenge for people with disabiilities. Our class was approached by the COPE team and asked if we would be willing to participate in the COPE Course in order to help develop strategies for... Continue Reading →
