CAMPING WITH SCOUTS WHO HAVE SPECIAL

NEEDSPart B

We made it here,

now what do we do?

COURSE OBJECTIVETo empower the Scout, Parents, Leaders, and Camp Staff with tools to help face challenges Special Needs Scouts may encounter while camping. We will help you create a more positive camping adventure for all youth in your Unit, including those that have atypical abilities and challenges.

PARENT & SCOUT RESPONSIBILITIES Keep Scout on medication for camp

duration Inform Leaders of routines and comforts

of Scout Attend camp with Scout, or send an aide

if Scout’s needs have privacy issues, ie. toileting

LEADER RESPONSIBILITIES TO PARENTS/SCOUTS Post daily schedules and duty rosters for

Scouts to see at campsite Review daily schedule the night before

and the morning of Flexibility

Prepare to make needed changes ie: Duty Roster, Schedule

Tag team the responsibility of the Scout Always have a plan B

CAMP STAFF RESPONSIBILITIES Take some training on disability

awareness prior to camp Plan some times for some small group

work or individual time for Merit Badge work

Look at each Scout as an individual and know their names

Post rules and expectations visually Be flexible

PARENTS HELPING THEIR SCOUT SUCCEED Help Scout remember any pre-work that

was completed for Merit Badge If camping with Scout, allow others to

guide Scout so they feel part of the Troop

Troop rules may be different than “Parent” rules. Trust in Leader guidance.

AVOIDING POTENTIAL ANXIETY Swim checks Allow for frequent breaks Allow transition time between activities If a change in schedule has to be done,

allow some time for the Scout to process Prepare the Scout for the Emergency

Siren Have a sensory free tent, sound

reduction headphones, sunglasses available

SOUND SENSORY ANXIETIES Emergency Siren Dining Hall Commotion Nature noises when trying to focus Noises at neighboring campsites Morning announcements Thunderstorms Bugs buzzing

SMELL SENSORY ANXIETIES Kybo smells Dining hall food Other kids hygiene Swamps and lakes Bug repellent, sun screen Campfire Rain

TASTE AND TOUCH SENSORY ANXIETY

Taste Touch

Water: well water Foods, sauces Snacks Dust/Dirt Lake water

Leaves, Branches, Wood

Cold water from Lake Lotions and Repellents Uniforms/boots/clothes Sand Water from shower

head Towels air dried Wet clothes Bugs Changes in

Temperatures

SIGHT SENSORY ANXIETIES Bright Sunlight Certain colors Reflection of sun on water Kybo’s

MEDICAL PREPARATION Be consistent with medication Make sure Scout’s on medication are

kept hydrated Prepare for all sensitivities to touch Have a first aid kit available

HOMESICKNESS Occurs even when parents are on camp

trip Let the Scout know it is a normal feeling

for all Scouts Allow for some break time or down time

to process Have a Plan B if homesickness becomes

debilitating

ADVANCEMENTS Break down the Merit badges into tasks that

are not too overwhelming. Partials Camping is not all about advancement Rank requirements Trail to First Class

ACCOMODATIONS Trip Advancement Class Structure ( as able) Scribe, Aides, Etc. Sensory accommodations Accessibility

REMEMBER

Talk to Scout about their goals for camp periodically through the trip

Talk to Scout about their likes/dislikes Each day is a new day Celebrate each success, no matter how

small Keep Trip fun