13 January 2009
Special Needs Scouts
Posted by admin under: special needs .
How does Boy Scouts of America handle special needs kids and the Scouting program? Easy. Just make sure the program accommodates their needs. A couple of dads took it a step farther and started a unit for them.
Dennis Dzwonkowski, 53, of Mosinee and Rick Radloff, 41, of Rib Mountain are organizing a Cub Scout pack for boys in grades one through five and a Boy Scout troop for those in grades six through 12.
The special-needs units have begun meeting and are looking for more members. They serve boys who have disabilities, such as severe attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism and other developmental challenges.
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The boys will be able to earn patches and awards similar to mainstream Scouts, but the criteria will be specially tailored to each Scout.
“They just have to prove they are doing the best they can,” Radloff said. “All these kids want to do is belong. And this organization gives them something to belong to.”
Hear that? They’re actively looking for members. I had a boy with mild autism in my den and later in the troop. He earned his Arrow of Light and we got him to Life before his experiences took him out of state. Kudos to the dads who ensured their sons’ positive Scouting experiences by starting units geared for them.
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