Boy Scouts Opportunity -
Pack/Troop 222 Seeks to be Inclusive
of Boys with Mild Special Needs
The goal of Pack/Troop 222 is to make
the scouting program accessible to all boys, irrespective of disability.
September 2002 marked the initiation of Cub Scout Pack 222. In September
2006 we also chartered Boy Scout Troop 222. What makes Pack/Troop 222
unique is its commitment to reach out to and serve boys with mild to
moderate special needs. Membership in Pack/Troop 222 is open to any boy 6-14
years of age, and scouts may join throughout the year. Although based at
the Weston Scout House, Pack/Troop 222 welcomes boys from any town or
community, and currently boasts members from over sixteen different
communities.
Attractive features of Pack/Troop 222
include its highly structured programs and perhaps most importantly an
environment of tolerance and acceptance. Exciting programs in the past have
included a Museum of Science sleepover, a field trip to the Pawtucket Red
Sox, building birdhouses, making musical instruments followed by a movement
to music session, kayaking, a trip to a puppet theater for a show and puppet
making, and so forth.
The members of Pack/Troop 222 develop
an amazing sense of self-esteem when they don the scouting uniform. The
scouting program is noncompetitive, and each boy goes at his own pace.
Achievement awards and merit badges provide scouts with immediate
reinforcement.
Pack/Troop 222 usually holds a monthly
field trip and a monthly unit meeting, which typically takes place at the
Weston Scout House on a mid to late Sunday. Pack/Troop meetings might
consist of an opening circle and flag ceremony, a gross motor activity
weather permitting (e.g., scavenger hunt, relay races, obstacle course),
snack time and a fine motor activity (e.g., arts & crafts).
No two boys are alike in terms of
skill sets, but most of the scouts in Pack/Troop 222 have mild to moderate
challenges in the areas of social relatedness and/or communication. Typical
diagnoses might include: Asperger’s/PDD, ADD/ADHD, learning disabilities,
speech delays, sensory integration disorder, and other mild developmental
delays. In all cases, they are children first, with a desire for friendships
and acceptance. Many of the boys provide excellent peer models for the
other scouts, and some of the scouts are for the first time forming close
friendships and getting invited to playdates and birthday parties.
We always encourage families to
consider joining a typical pack/troop first. Notwithstanding, even though
many of the boys in our unit have only mild to moderate special needs,
parent organizers felt that participation in other packs/troops might be
somewhat overwhelming for their sons¾and
that without these accommodations and extra supports, participation in the
Scouting program in general might be out of reach for these boys.
In short, the mission of Pack/Troop
222 is in keeping with the highest ideals of Scouting!
Here are some additional points to
keep in mind:
-
Siblings are invited to participate in most activities.
- This is
not a drop-off situation. A parent or caregiver is required to remain
with the scout during meetings.
-
Mothers, as well as fathers, are invited to accompany their sons to
meetings and events. Several of the boys in our unit have single
parents.
-
Pack/Troop 222 has no paid employees. We expect parents to volunteer to
organize activities or assist with other administrative duties.
-
Although not necessarily recommended, scouts may simultaneously join our
pack/troop and a typical pack/troop. Scouts must register separately
with both units.
- Annual
unit registration fee is about $25. There may be additional costs for
uniforms and admission fees on field trips. Scholarships are available
to any family with limited financial resources.
For more information, please contact
the pack directly at
westonpack222@comcast.net.
(verified Oct 2011)
