UncleP Posted March 17, 2018 Share Posted March 17, 2018 (edited) Attached is a link to a article about a Boy Scout with Dows Syndrome and Autism whose application for Eagle Scout has been rejected. Does anyone know anything more on this issue? https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/father-sues-boy-scouts-america-rejecting-15-year-old-son-syndrome-autism-eagle-scout-153042248.html Edited March 17, 2018 by UncleP Spelling mistakes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle94-A1 Posted March 17, 2018 Share Posted March 17, 2018 This has been a topic of conversation on Facebook. There is a lot of confusion due to the terminology used by the dad in some previousreports. A lot of information is being left out of this and the previous articles IMHO. BSA has a program where Special Needs Scouts can advance. There are procedures in place that need to be followed. I knew a 44 year blind special needs SCOUT ( emphasis) who earned Eagle. Mentally he was about 13 or 14. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RememberSchiff Posted March 18, 2018 Share Posted March 18, 2018 (edited) Utah National Parks Council viewpointMar 13, 2018 Boy Scouts of America is Dedicated to Assisting Scouts with Disabilities Updated 3/15/2018 Boy Scouts of America, Press Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE “Since its founding in 1910, the Boy Scouts of America has served youth members with physical, mental, and emotional disabilities. Scouting is uniquely positioned among youth programs to meet the needs of Scouts with disabilities by providing diverse programs and social experiences. The Utah National Parks Council has worked closely with this young man and his family to deliver a positive experience in our programs.” On background, please understand we cannot discuss ongoing litigation. Contact: Boy Scouts of America | PR@scouting.org http://blog.utahscouts.org/building-youth/utah-national-parks-council-dedicated-assist-scouts-disabilities/ Father's viewpoint in video below: Edited March 18, 2018 by RememberSchiff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T2Eagle Posted March 18, 2018 Share Posted March 18, 2018 We had a young man with pretty severe Downs become an Eagle scout a while back. Lots of paperwork to get the right dispensations. I have to say I was happy witth the outcome but really disappointed with some of the reactions of some of my fellow scouters outside the troop. Best guess, the local guys got out over their skis with their approvals, and didn't give the family a realistic view of the possible obstacles they could encounter. That National got involved before all the paperwork was submitted would indicate someone locally was unhappy and made a complaint over the heads of the local Council. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ItsBrian Posted March 18, 2018 Share Posted March 18, 2018 (edited) So the family is sueing the Boy Scouts that will cost them thousands, and will take away from making the program better? The only reason this is a issue because their local council probably didn’t want to deal with all the paperwork and didn’t believe in what National has set place and made their own rules. I wonder if the MBCs were only his parents and/or Troop parents. I feel badly for the parents, it’s not their fault, they did everything they could to ensure it would be done correctly (and assumed it was). It’s the councils fault that should be taking the blame. I can also see why national wanted to strip all of his badges, since even his father said he couldn’t do some requirements, and from what I got from the articles they didn’t file for alternative requirement. Edited March 18, 2018 by ItsBrian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle94-A1 Posted March 18, 2018 Share Posted March 18, 2018 I think someone at the local council, whether the pack and/or troop, or the council screwed up. It appears that the Scout has been registered as a Cub Scout all this time, and as a result ineligible for Boy Scout awards. I wonder why the council has not caught the problem earlier. Realistically he can stay a Boy Scout past his 18th birthday with the required paperwork. As stated previously, I've seen a 44 year old BOY (emphasis) Scout who not only had Down's Syndrome, but also legally blind earn his Eagle. Gut feeling: National and Local Council will review the situation to find out what went wrong. Depending upon what happened, I bet the boy will be retroactively made a Boy Scout, retroactively earned the awards he has earned, and will get the project approved, and eventually earn Eagle. From what I know of national, they A) do not allow adults' mistakes to affect youth (whether for good or bad is another question), and B) When the word "lawsuit" happens, they cave. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David CO Posted March 18, 2018 Share Posted March 18, 2018 There seems to be some confusion here. Even scouts with special needs don't get merit badges for just trying. There is a process for making adjustments to the merit badge requirements to accommodate special needs scouts, but the requirements are still challenging and involve real learning. The boys must earn their merit badges. Anything else would be a slap in the face to all the other special needs scouts who earned their awards. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ItsBrian Posted March 18, 2018 Share Posted March 18, 2018 43 minutes ago, David CO said: There seems to be some confusion here. Even scouts with special needs don't get merit badges for just trying. There is a process for making adjustments to the merit badge requirements to accommodate special needs scouts, but the requirements are still challenging and involve real learning. The boys must earn their merit badges. Anything else would be a slap in the face to all the other special needs scouts who earned their awards. Exactly. If BSA just handed out merit badges it would make them look like they think special needs kids are “dumb and can’t do anything.” I standby by BSA when it comes providing different requirements or more help for a merit badge, but just handing it out isn’t the right thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DuctTape Posted March 18, 2018 Share Posted March 18, 2018 One of the problems is the BSA *does* just hand out mBs just for showing up at mb colleges and summer camps. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scoutmaster Teddy Posted March 18, 2018 Share Posted March 18, 2018 2 hours ago, DuctTape said: One of the problems is the BSA *does* just hand out mBs just for showing up at mb colleges and summer camps. That's one reason why I'm considering disallowing Eagle-required MBs at MB mills. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ItsBrian Posted March 18, 2018 Share Posted March 18, 2018 41 minutes ago, Scoutmaster Teddy said: That's one reason why I'm considering disallowing Eagle-required MBs at MB mills. No one will show up then Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scoutmaster Teddy Posted March 18, 2018 Share Posted March 18, 2018 33 minutes ago, ItsBrian said: No one will show up then Only my Scouts. But that's okay. We can do them all in the Troop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ItsBrian Posted March 19, 2018 Share Posted March 19, 2018 2 hours ago, Scoutmaster Teddy said: Only my Scouts. But that's okay. We can do them all in the Troop. I know atleast I would show up either way. It’s only the eagle mill troops that wouldn’t should up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cyphertext Posted March 19, 2018 Share Posted March 19, 2018 8 hours ago, Scoutmaster Teddy said: That's one reason why I'm considering disallowing Eagle-required MBs at MB mills. I don't think you can do that... If the MB counselor is registered and approved by your council advancement committee, then you have no legitimate reason to not issue the Scout the blue card. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ItsBrian Posted March 19, 2018 Share Posted March 19, 2018 3 hours ago, cyphertext said: I don't think you can do that... If the MB counselor is registered and approved by your council advancement committee, then you have no legitimate reason to not issue the Scout the blue card. He means from now on that at MB colleges, events, fairs, he may not offer eagle required badges. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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