Alternate requirements

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Procedure for requesting alternate requirements for Tenderfoot, Second Class and First Class rank from the 2008 Advancement Committee Policies and Procedures manual:

 

A Scout who has a permanent physical or mental disability and is unable to complete all of the requirements for Tenderfoot, Second Class, or First Class rank may submit a request to the council advancement committee to complete alternate requirements. Below are the procedures for applying for alternate requirements.

 

To keep Scouts with disabilities as much in the advancement mainstream as possible, some advancement accommodations may be required. Thus, a Scout in a wheelchair can meet the requirements for hiking by making a trip to a place of interest in his community. Giving more time and permitting the use of special aids are other ways leaders can help Scouts with disabilities in their efforts to advance. The substitute should provide a similar learning experience. Bear in mind the outcome of the Scouting experience should be one of fun and learning, and not completing requirements for rank advancements, which might place unrealistic expectations on the special-needs Scout.

 

Step 1Do As Many Standard Requirements As Possible.

Before applying for alternate requirements, the Scout must complete as many of the standard requirements as his ability permits. He must do his very best to develop himself to the limit of his abilities

and resources.

 

Step 2Secure a Medical Statement.

A clear and concise medical statement concerning the Scouts disabilities must be submitted by a licensed health-care provider. It must state that the disability is permanent and outline what physical activities the Scout may not be capable of completing. In the case of a mental disability, an evaluation statement should be submitted by a certified educational administrator relating the ability level of the Scout.

 

Step 3Prepare a Request for Alternate Requirements.

A written request must be submitted to the council advancement committee for the Scout to work on

alternate requirements for Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class ranks. The request should include

the standard requirements the Scout has completed and the suggested alternate requirements for those

requirements the Scout cannot complete. This request should be detailed enough to give the advancement committee enough information to make a decision. The request should be prepared by the Scout, his parents, and his Scoutmaster. A copy of the medical statement

in step 2 should be included.

 

Step 4The Advancement Committee Reviews the Request.

The council advancement committee should review the request, utilizing the expertise of professional persons involved in Scouts with disabilities. The advancement committee may want to interview the Scout, the parents, and the leader to fully understand the request and to make a fair determination. The decision of the advancement committee should be recorded

 

Below is the procedure for requesting alternate merit badges, from the same manual:

 

"

1. The Eagle Scout rank may be achieved by a Boy Scout, Varsity Scout, or qualified* Venturer who has a physical or mental disability by qualifying for alternate merit badges. This does not apply to individual requirements for merit badges. Merit badges are awarded only when all requirements are met as stated.

 

2. The physical or mental disability must be of a permanent rather than a temporary nature.

 

3. A clear and concise medical statement concerning the Scouts disabilities must be made by a physician licensed to practice medicine, or an evaluation statement must be certified by an educational administrator.

 

4. The candidate must earn as many of the required merit badges as his ability permits before applying for an alternate Eagle Scout rank merit badge.

 

5. The Application for Alternate Eagle Scout Award Merit Badges must be completed prior to qualifying for alternate merit badges.

 

6. The alternate merit badges chosen must be of such a nature that they are as demanding of effort as the required merit badges.

 

7. When alternates chosen involve physical activity, they must be approved by the physician.

 

8. The unit leader and the board of review must explain that to attain the Eagle Scout rank, a candidate is expected to do his best in developing himself to the limit of his resources.

 

9. The application must be approved by the council committee responsible for advancement, utilizing the expertise of professional persons involved in Scouting for people with special needs.

 

10. The candidates application for Eagle must be made on the Eagle Scout Rank Application, with the Application for Alternate Eagle Scout Award Merit Badges attached.

 

* In order for a Venturer to be an Eagle candidate, he must have achieved the First Class rank as a Boy Scout or Varsity Scout."

 

 

Here is "The Application for Alternate Eagle Scout Award Merit Badges", http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/58-730.pdf

[JerseyScout]

The first step is pretty important. I have a Scout that I was worried about alternate requirements for, and I thought that it was silly that I should have to wait for him to do all his requirements before applying for alternate ones to complete a rank.

 

It turns out that he did not need a single alternate requirement for Tenderfoot despite one of his arms being almost useless, he managed one arm push ups and even figured out how to tie the knots one handed. I never cease to be amazed at what a kid can accomplish.