Group Sports and Camps for Children with A-T

POINT (Paraplegics On Independent Nature Trips)
4144 N. Central Expy., Ste. 515
Dallas, TX 75204
(214) 827-7404

Directory of Wheelchair Sports Associations
http://www.pva.org/mags/wheelcha.htm

Disabled Sports USA
http://www.dsusa.org/dsusa/chapter.html

Boy Scout and Girl Scout Troops

By Robert Royer
Apple Valley, MN

I am Bob Royer, Assistant Scoutmaster of Troop 204, in Apple Valley, Minnesota. The purpose of this article is to encourage your sons and daughters to enroll in the Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops in your area. Because your son or daughter has to use a wheelchair or other device to get around or has limited use of their hands, or vocal skills is not a reason they cannot enjoy the challenges and accomplishments of scouting. It will also increase their social contacts with their peer groups.

Both scouting programs can be adapted to suit your son(s) or daughters' needs.

The Cub Scout program is modified in the following way:

In cub scouting, the boy is encouraged to do his best in earning his arrow points. In Boy Scouting it gets more involved. The requirements for the first three ranks; Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class, can be modified to suit the abilities of the scout. The ranks of Star, Life and Eagle, which are earned by the awarding of merit badges can be modified also.

To attain the rank of Eagle, the scout must earn a total of 21 merit badges; seven required and 14 that are his choice. There can be substitutions in the required merit badges by using the Alternate Eagle Award Requirements. By using this program, required merit badges can be earned in lieu of the required ones, according to the scout's ability.

The Girl Scout program is also able to be modi:ied to suit your daughter's ability. The way this is done has been copied from the pamphlet from the Girl Scouts titled, "Serving Girls with Disabilities, The Girl Scout Focus on Abilities."

The Value of Mainstreaming

As our society becomes more sensitive to the needs of all individuals, we recognize how important it is for everyone to have access to opportunities. Just as girls with disabilities want the same experience with other girls, nondisabled girls need the chance to interact with girls who may seem a little different from them. Girls with disabilities need to be seen as girls first, with the same needs and interests as nondisabled girls. Mainstreaming helps all girls by dispelling myths and teaching the value of diversity. By working together on Girl Scout activities, girls can benefit from the knowledge that they are more alike than different.

Adapting Girl Scout Program

Girl Scout program attempts to serve girls with disabilities in two ways; 1) whenever possible in a troop with nondisabled girls, or 2) if appropriate in a troop with girls of similar disabilities. Girl Scout activities are designed to be individualized when needed, so girls with disabilities have a wide range of activities in which to participate. Adaptions are designed to personalize rather than simplify requirements, and take into account different locations, resources, and cultures, as well as abilities. Activities are never chosen from those of a younger age level, but are adapted within the framework of the current one. Sometimes a leader will make adap tions without the girls even being aware of them, or the girls themselves may decide on adaptions that will be fun for everyone. Just as nondis abled girls are different, so are girls with disabilities. Each girl has her own set of abilities, and materials are adapted accordingly. That is why there are no separate activities for girls with disabilities. The important thing to remember is that each girl can participate to the best of her ability.

For more information on the location of the nearest Boy or Girl Scout troop, call your local council. I feel that it will be one of the best things that you can do for your son or daughter.