Special Needs

  • Print

Scouting Resources for Youth with Special Needs in Three Fires Council

Here are some handy resources that you will appreciate for Scouts with disabilities & special needs.

SAVE THE DATE!!
TFC and Touch My Heart will sponsor the first “Regional Special Needs Conference”
on October 5th, 2013.
The conference location is:

The Compass Church, 95th Campus
2244 W. 95th St.
Naperville, IL 60564

Champions Buddy    What does the Three Fires Council Special Needs Committee Do?

    • Promote awareness to Scouts and unit leaders
    • Assist with Disabilities Awareness Merit Badge
    • Provide training to adult leaders and youth
    • Distribute available publications by the BSA
    • Support the growth of new units and provide service to existing special needs units and leaders
    • Work with and assist other Council committees to deliver a quality Scouting program to all youth
    • We have the full endorsement and support of the TFC and have the full resources of the council available

SPECIAL NEEDS TRAININGS & RESOURCES!

The new "Guide to Working With Scouts With Special Needs and DisABILITIES", #510-071, has been published.   It replaces the brown-covered #33056. Most of the old publication has not changed, but several key points have been updated and resources updated.  It will NOT be carried by the Supply Division, and thus will only be available electronically.  This is a great "easy read"  resource for leaders who are working with Scouts  with special needs.  Please feel free to access this newly updated guide at: BSA - Scouts with Special Needs Webpage

Mission Statement 

The mission of the Three Fires Council Special Needs Committee is to provide youth the opportunity to participate fully in the inclusive Scouting program offered to all youth by the Boy Scouts of America. To offer a welcoming haven for special needs youth where every boy can succeed and fit in, in a non-judgmental atmosphere for both the Scouts and their families.  To educate the Council’s Scouting Units, organizations and individuals of the opportunities available to our special needs Scouts, to promote Scouting to all youth and support special needs units in a way consistent with Scouting policies.

Vision Statement

The Three Fires Council Special Needs Committee aspires to offer the nation's foremost Scouting program for local Scouts with special needs.  We will strive to get beyond the challenges that impede our efforts in delivering our Special Needs Scouting program by creating awareness to and educating our Scouting Units, families and the public to look beyond the label of “special needs”.  To overcome the stigma that is sometimes felt by families of special needs Scouts and the adult Scout volunteers we depend on to deliver the program.  Many believe that individuals with special needs are seamlessly integrated into society, but that is just not the social reality.  We seek to open minds, change attitudes and show everyone the true benefits of Scouting.

HOW CAN YOU BECOME INVOLVED AND HELP?

We Want YOU!   Champions Buddy Unit  Become a Champions Buddy Unit (Info Flier) - A Champions Buddy unit is the cooperation between your unit and a Special Needs unit to offer support and guidance to ensure that the needs of the Champion Unit are met and are receiving the benefits offered by membership in the BSA.

Benefits of the Champions Buddy Unit Program

  • Teaches Scouts caring, patience and understanding
  • Special Needs Scouts receive the same opportunities that all our youth receive
  • Provides Scouts with special needs or disabilities what they want most…..the opportunity to participate like other Scouts….
  • Your Scouts help give them that opportunity
  • Wonderful learning experience for all involved through a broader understanding of Scouts with special Needs.
  • Enrichment of the lives of more youth in our community
  • Unlimited service hours and unit service projects
  • Eagle projects are available
  • Increase in membership

Autism & Scouting: The site linked below is designed to give parents of autistic children information about the BSA and it's possible benefit for their child and to give Scout leaders some information about autism so they can better help any autistic scouts in their unit. It was designed by an ASM from Tulsa, OK, as part of his Woodbadge Ticket to give information pertaining to Autism and the Boy Scouts of America.

For more information contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  - TFC Special Needs Committee Chair (630) 707-0200

Bookshare in Scouting

 While the BSA has fulfilled requests for different publications in braille or large print for years, the national office recently entered an agreement with the company Bookshare to provide the merit badge series as well as other manuals to youth, parents, and leaders with qualified print disabilities. Through the Bookshare in Scouting program, up-to-date Scouting material can be read on laptops or desktop computers; Apple iPads, iPhones, and iPod Touches; MP3 players; and other devices.

Beginning this month, more than 35 different publications are available through Bookshare’s online library, and additional publications will be added in three phases over the next six to nine months. Membership is free for U.S. students of any age with qualified print disabilities, and the $25 setup fee is waived for nonstudents when you use the promo code SCOUTS.

To learn more about Bookshare, visit www.bookshare.org. For questions about Scouts with disabilities, contact Oscar Santoyo at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .