1. Advancement
for Scouts
with Special Needs
and disAbilities

2. Patriots’ Path Council Advancement Committee

3. Advancement for Members with Special Needs
Guide to Advancement
Section 10
Advancement for Members with Special Needs

4. All youth with or without special needs and disAbilities are welcome to join Scouting. A youth with special needs is not always classified as disAbled.
Accommodations exist to help with Advancement and will be discussed in this presentation.
Traditional Units, as well as Units specifically designed for members with special needs exist in our Council.

5. “Registering members beyond the age of eligibility”
What does this mean?
Cub Scout- 11 or older
Boy or Varsity Scout- 18 or older
Venturing, Exploring or Sea Scout- 21 or older
Note: This request is for an infinite amount of time;
not alternate requirements or merit badges or short term extentions.

6. Possible criteria for registering beyond the age of eligibility
Downs syndrome
Emotional/ behavioral disorder
Physical disability
Traumatic brain injury
Multiple coexisting disabilities
Autism spectrum disorder
Blind or sight impaired
Deaf or hard of hearing
Cognitive disability
Developmental delay
disAbilities can also be invisible

7. How to register a member beyond the age of eligibility
Letter from parent or guardian
Complete youth membership application or proof of membership
Completed and signed BSA Medical Record (Parts A & C)
Signed statement from a qualified health professional
Letter from the unit leader supporting the registration
Other supporting documentation (IEP, strengths and weaknesses)

8. All paperwork is submitted to the Council Advancement Committee
Special Needs Advisory Committee reviews and may request more
Information and reports back to the Council Advancement Committee
Upon approval or disapproval, the parent/ guardian and the unit
leader is sent a letter; copy is retained in the registration file by the
Council Registrar. The letter must accompany the Eagle project when
submitted for review and approval by the Eagle Registrar
Scout is registered as a youth with a disAbility until registration
lapses or he/ she registers as an adult or the required level of
severity no longer exists

9. Advancement Flexibility Allowed
(with or without RBAA)
Cub Scouts- Has he done his best? Pack Committee determines
what is appropriate with parents assistance.
Boy Scouts- Must meet current requirements as written, unless
alternate requirements, alternate merit badges or RBAE
are approved by the Council Advancement Committee.

10. How to apply for Alternative Boy Scout Requirements
Members must complete as many requirements as possible before applying.
Unit leader submits a written request, to the Council Advancement Committee, stating what has been completed and offering suggestions for the requirements the Scout cannot do.
Supporting letters from another unit leader, parent/ guardian and the Scout
Another statement from a health professional should include Scouts capabilities, disability, limitations, prognosis and specific requirements that cannot be completed.
Info is forwarded to the Council Advancement Committee for approval
Note: This is a request to change requirements, not to extend time.

11. Alternate Merit Badges for Eagle Scout
Requirements for merit badges cannot be modified or substituted
Substitute is one entire badge for another; must be approved before
beginning the merit badge and must provide a challenge to the Scout
Can be used with or without RBAE
Use application for alternate Eagle Scout rank merit badges
Need letters from the same group as alternate requirements/ RBAE
First sent to District Advancement Committee, then to Council
Advancement Committee
Committee may choose to interview the Scout with his parent & leader
Committee returns an answer to the Scout/ family/ Troop Committee via
the approved/ disapproved form submitted
Form must be attached to Eagle rank application when submitted

12. The form can be found at: or at our own PPC website
or at our own PPC website
ppcbsa.org/committees/advancement/Scouts with Special Needs and disAbilities

13. Approval for Special Needs Eagle Candidates over age 18
Must be RBAE approved
Need letter from the Advancement Committee or Scout Executive
If not RBAE approved, but should be, procedures from RBAE Section
should be followed and approval secured
If cannot meet RBAE criteria, a Scout may be able to qualify for an
extension of time- See Time extensions

14. Time Extensions
If a Scout foresees that, due to no fault or choice of his own, he will be unable
to complete the Eagle Scout rank before age 18, he may apply for a limited
time extension.
Scout joined or rejoined and there is not enough time to complete ranks.
Circumstances came to exist that prevent completion before the deadline.
Circumstance is totally beyond the control of the Scout.
Circumstance is severe and not part of the Scout’s normal life.
Circumstance could not have been planned or anticipated.

15. Process for submitting & evaluating an Extension Request
1. Scout, parent/ guardian, unit leader or unit committee may file the request.
2. Request must document the circumstances.
3.Two Council Advancement Committee members research the request and
prepare a summary.
4. Council Advancement Committee prepares a statement and shares with
the Scout, his parent/ guardian and his unit leader.
5. The Scout then decides to pursue or not the extension with the National
Advancement Team.
6. Request for Extension of Time to earn Eagle Scout Rank is filed with the
National AdvancementTeam; decision usually takes 2-4 weeks.

16. Advancement for Venturers, Explorers & Sea Scouts with Special Needs
The activities must fit within the capabilities of the
prospective member
Crews may offer more flexibility than ships
Safety concerns onboard a vessel may present
barriers that are difficult or impossible to overcome

17. Working toward Venturing ranks, Exploring & Sea Scout awards
The Venturer/ Explorer/ Sea Scout is expected to meet requirements as stated
Alternate requirements for Venturing ranks, Exploring Awards &
Sea Scout ranks follow the same procedures as
Section “How to apply for Alternate Requirements”
The Advancement Committee must involve an adult with thorough
knowledge of Venturing/Exploring/ Sea Scout advancement
and awards in this decision
All groups can also apply for RBAE as stated in Section
& .3

18. Awards for Outstanding Service Benefiting Members with Special Needs
Torch of Gold Award
The Torch of Gold Award medal, pin and certificate, No , are awarded by local councils. This award provides recognition to individuals who, over an extended period of time, have provided exceptional service to Scouting youth with special needs and disAbilities. National approval is not needed.

19. Woods Services Award
This national annual award has been established to recognize volunteers who have performed exceptional service and leadership in the field of Scouts with disabilities. Only one award is given per year.

20. Special Needs Scouting Service Award
New! See requirements at
Members with special needs

21. Resources The boy’s parent(s) and teacher(s). The boy himself.
Your and your unit’s observations of the youth
BSA-
Individual organization publications.
Individualized Scouting Achievement Plan (ISAP).
2017 Guide to Advancement scouting.org/publications
Scouting for Youth with Disabilities (#34059)
See links at special needs

22. Scenario 1 A Scout permanently uses a wheelchair. He needs to
hike and wants to join his troop for a day hike.
Is it considered “hiking” if he is in his wheelchair?
Why or why not?

23. Scenario 2
A Scout is well on the way to Eagle. He is planning on finishing by the time he is 17 ½ but at 17 is in an automobile accident. He is in the hospital and/or rehab for 6 months and cannot participate in Scouts.
Can/should he apply for an extension of time for his Eagle?

24. Scenario 3
A Scout is 17 ½ and realizes he will not have enough time to finish Eagle. He has a learning disability and applies for an extension in time. Should this be approved? Why or why not?

25. Scenario 4
A Scout who is legally blind claims he has completed astronomy merit badge. You ask him how he identified constellations. He replied, his SM punched holes in paper plates, held them over his head, outside at night, in the right place for the night sky, and he used his hands to feel and identify the constellations.
Should this be acceptable? Why or why not?

26. disAbilities = different abilities
We all have them.
Youth who have disAbilities want the same personal growth, companionship and FUN opportunities that any youth does and it is our challenge to provide them.