POR for Scouts with Disabilities

[alex gregory]

Great scout in my troop who earned First Class and a bunch of merit badges within months before suddenly getting very sick. Significant mobility problems and severe pain management issues have put a drastic stop to this young man's rapid advancement and enthusiastic participation in scouting. We've helped him continue to earn merit badges and he is "active" as defined by BSA. The problem is satisfying the POR requirments for Star-Life-Eagle when he can't leave his house most of the time.

I've already suggested the Webmaster position, and that might work out. It seems like even the Webmaster position may require more regular attendance at troop and committe meetings than this scout can manage.

What I was hoping to get from all you smart folks was suggestions for "scoutmaster approved projects" that can substitute for the Star and Life POR requirement.

[ThunderingWind]

My gut level reaction would be to offer a book report from a one of the many decent Scouting History books.

But this is just me talking. Ask national how they look for the same credit for a Lone Scout. We had one transfer into
one of my past troops. He was only a Lone Scout because his parents were assigned overseas to an Embassy where there
were no BSA presence. So he arrived having earned T-2-1 & Star and only needing a merit badge, SMC and BOR for Life.

[smtroop168]

Sounds pretty significant a problem for the boy. Scouting could be one of his lesser concerns.

If this is going to be a long term issue that could eventually affect his Eagle rank, get him into the Scouting with Diabilities program asap. Get tha medical documentation together and apply now for any alternative required MBs he might need. This can be approved at the Council level but don't wait...if he gets better, then just withdraw the paperwork. I don't how how they handle Eagle Projects but its been done before I'm sure. Have your Council ask National.

If you want an idea, make him the Troop Historian. He can then keep track of the troop's schedule, events, others can feed him pictures and info and he doesn't need to attend many meeting to "actively" serve. I would say make sure the unit is staying in touch with him and he can report on what he's doing on a regular basis.

Another idea is the OA rep. Not much to do here other than keeping the troop informed of OA events and helping facilitate the annual election.

I'm not a fan of the SM approved leadership project since they added the Instructor position. He can be an instructor and maybe do something at a meeting he can get to. If I had to come up with a SM LP, I would have him research the different types of leadership and show how they apply to the PORs. Which way is the most effective? How is the scout motivated? What if the scout does nothing? Then present his results to the SM, Troop and maybe the Troop Committee.

[FrankJ]

Do not forget webmaster. A little hard to suggest without knowing the boy & his interests. As for scout master approved projects maybe working on scouting related training aide for an aspect of the program that he has an interest in.

A scout in my nephew's troop contracted bone cancer. He completed all requirements for eagle being mostly bed ridden. Had his EBOR in bed and court of honor in bed.

[smtroop168]

Sorry to hear about this youth. What did he do for an Eagle Project? Was he pretty far along in required MBs?

[FrankJ]

It was a couple of years ago & I am completely uninvolved with the troop so I know few of the details. But he was well liked & apparently a great kid who got a lot of support. He knew he was dying & completing his eagle rank was on his bucket list. I do not recall the what eagle project was, but it was not a construction kind of project.

[lambeausam]

Look at the Leave No Trace Trainer position. That may be a good fit since the training can be administered in sections, which can be scheduled as his health permits.

[smtroop168]

Look at the Leave No Trace Trainer position. That may be a good fit since the training can be administered in sections, which can be scheduled as his health permits.

Here are the requirements for the LNT trainer POR:

New Boy Scout Position of Responsibility: Leave No Trace Trainer
Also effective January 1, Leave No Trace Trainer is added to the list of positions of responsibility that a Boy Scout or a Varsity Scout may use to fulfill the position of responsibility requirements for Star, Life, and Eagle Scout (the omission from Eagle Scout in the new Boy Scout Handbook is a typographical error). The official position description and qualifications for this position of responsibility are as follows:

Leave No Trace Trainer
The troop Leave No Trace Trainer helps minimize impact on the land by teaching members the principles of Leave No Trace and improving Scouts’ outdoor ethics decision-making skills. The senior patrol leader may appoint a Scout, 14 years or older who has successfully completed the official 16-hour Leave No Trace Trainer training course, to serve as the troop Leave No Trace Trainer. A Scout under the age of 14, or who has not completed Leave No Trace Trainer training, may serve as an instructor teaching Leave No Trace skills until he obtains the necessary training.

A Boy Scout, Varsity Scout, or Venturer may take any 16-hour Leave No Trace Trainer course from a Leave No Trace Master Educator to qualify for the troop, team, or crew position of responsibility. The BSA is seeking to have one or more BSA-affiliated Master Educators in each council to provide this training. Information on courses available in the local area should be available from the local council’s Outdoor Ethics Advocate.

Don't know if the scout can complete the 16 hour course given what has been posted about his medical problems.

[alex gregory]

Don't know if the scout can complete the 16 hour course given what has been posted about his medical problems.

I suspect you're right. The training is probably very similar to the NOLS training which involves a lot of outdoors time, as you would expect.

So far, the suggestion of troop historian position seems to be the best bet.

[FrankJ]

Here are the LNT POR requirements from the online scout handbook:

The Leave No Trace Trainer specializes in teaching Leave No Trace principles and
ensuring that the troop follows these principles on outings. He can also help Scouts
earn the Leave No Trace award. He should have a thorough understanding of and
commitment to Leave No Trace. Ideally, he should have completed Leave No Trace
training and earned the Camping and Environmental Science merit badges.

Does not require the 16 hr LNT course although it is recommended.

Here is a good place for the LNT material.

http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/BoyScouts/TeachingLeaveNoTrace.aspx

[smtroop168]

http://www.scouting.org/sitecore/conten ... trace.aspx

Interesting that this is the reference I used that says you have to have the 16 hour course

Same organization.

[FrankJ]

This is largely speculation on my part, but. I expect there are elements in the BSA's LNT task force that would like to make that the requirement. The committee that actually defines the requirements for advancement is a different. To actually change the requirement requires approval from the national committee (not sure what the actual name of that) It may be the the LNT's recommendations as not made it up the food chain and it will eventually become the requirements. It may be that it was not approved & the lower committee refuses acknowledge it.

My position on advancement issues is that you should be able to go by the requirements in the hand book & the current requirements publication. You should not have to search the internet for opinions.

A side issue is "LNT trainer" is a copy righted term from the LNT organization that BSA is member of. LNT the organization has requirements for using that term. That was probably not considered when the POR was named.

Another issue is you will be holding the POR to a higher standard than the instructor that covers it in ITOLs or signs off on the rank requirements. Requiring a 16 hr course to talk about LNT is going to mean that it is does get covered on a working level-- The people out the woods that should be practicing LNT.

As in all PORs it is up to the SM to insure that the scouts are qualified to hold the positions. It is healthy to discuss what that means.

[smtroop168]

My head officially hurts now....Is First Aid still a required MB?

[lambeausam]

My oldest son trained with the LNT org and is now a qualified trainer. While the training normally is conducted in conjunction with an overnight trip, it is comprised of several sections. It may be possible for the scout to work with an LNT trainer and complete the training in sections. I'll have my son check to see if there is a "distance learning" version that the scout could use. If so, I'm sure my son would be willing to train him if that is an option.

[FrankJ]

My head officially hurts now....Is First Aid still a required MB?

Take two aspirin and call me in the morning.

[jr56]

Yes, I believe First Aid is still a required Merit Badge.

[SN95GT50]

An additional idea for the Webmaster role would be for Troop to video tape the Troop meeting for him to review and use as input for the web page. Take this a step further, place a webcam in the Troop meeting (and potentially on campouts) so that he can be "Part of it".

We have fantastic technology available and this Scout may learn something that may become a career whether he get's better or is confined to the bed/house.

Just an idea,
John

[deweylure]

A possible POR would be a Troop Librarian/Historian or an assistant .. to another position you think this scout could handle.