Re: Disability Awareness MB
Forshaw (dtlfor@FORYOU.NET)
Mon, 16 Aug 1999 10:29:39 -0400
Bob asked how to fulfill the service part of the disability awareness
merit badge.
Contact your council to learn about troops/packs that work with disabled
Scouts. Some troops/packs specialize in this. If there are no such in
your council, ask for the names of troops/packs that have disabled
members. Your council should be able to help you with this.
How can a troop of 20 all spend 15 hours with another pack/troop? Talk
to the leaders and plan a special outing. For a Cub Pack, you could do
an outdoor fun day. Include Scout skills, such as making fires, archery
and B-B's (be sure to have trained staff), a low-ropes confidence course
(a showcase for your troop's pioneering skills), a craft (perhaps a
neckerchief slider), etc. For a troop, why not invite them on a campout
with your troop? Sure, it will take lots of planning, but it will be an
experience your Scouts will treasure for many years.
Here's another idea - talk to your council and offer to be "helpers" for
disabled Cubs at council day camps. Publicize your offer in your
council newsletter. Have your boys meet with the Cubs, parents and
packs in advance. (Parents of disabled kids are always looking for
babysitters, so your boys could offer to sit and get to know the kids.)
Spend the week at camp with the kids, one on one, assisting them as
needed.
- Tee
