Our Special Needs Team supports the special needs of all districts and programs of the Minsi Trails Council. Our mission is to:
- Make Aware aspects of special needs that impact youth, as well as leadership through specialized training seminars held by experts in related fields, and interactive web sites.
- Develop Relationships with youth, parents, leaders, units, and other personnel to be available to answer questions, seek advice and provide resources that provide the best relationship possible.
- Help Resolve special needs issues by having the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities to effectively mediate solutions with a leader, parent and/or youth.
- Provide Opportunities to special needs youth in the Lehigh Valley and Poconos areas to participate in Scouting programs.
All our programs pursue a common approach called “Prepared. For Life.”™ which includes expectations for character development and ethical behavior. Among other things, our values include kindness, helpfulness and service to the community. Adult leaders are also trained to protect youth from any form of abuse, including harassment and teasing. We, and our youth, welcome those with special needs.
Scouting has long reached out to those with special needs. For example, we printed the first Braille Boy Scout Handbook in the 1920s, shortly after our founding.
We offer programs for all youth, male and female, ranging from Kindergarten through twenty-one years in age and in some cases older. To learn more about our various programs visit the Programs menu toward the top of this page.
All our programs are run by volunteers. While we do not require parental involvement, we strongly encourage it. It can be overdone but parental involvement is an important success factor, especially for those youth with special needs.
Minsi Trails Council is committed to promoting accessibility, inclusion, and acceptance of all youth participating in Scouting. We encourage unit leaders to work with the families and caregivers of youth with special needs and disabilities to provide the appropriate accommodations and support for all youth to engage in the same activities, following the same rules. We also recognize that some youth may need modifications to the program requirements and that some may prefer a unit with leaders who have additional training and experience providing support. The Special Needs Team is here to help make those connections and facilitate the necessary level of support.