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Special Needs Committee

Working to Ensure Scouts of All Abilities Can Meaningfully Participate

Serving Scouts with Special Needs

Mission Statement

     Scouting America seeks to fully include Scouts of all abilities –  diverse learning styles, neuro-divergent thinkers and many physical, intellectual, and developmental abilities.

 

     Golden Gate Area Council’s Special Needs Committee promotes inclusion by helping unit and district leaders create meaningful experiences for all Scouts. We provide training for adapting the environment, guidance on advancement and program variation, and direct support so that the challenges embedded in Scouting are accessible to Scouts of all abilities.

 

SND Questions & Support

 

Serving Scouts with Special Needs

Serving Scouts with Special Needs

National BSA Resources

Official BSA resources applying to scouting of all abilities.

 

Alternatives for Advancement

When accommodations for different learning styles are not enough, or if more time is needed, there is a process for Scouts to apply to their Council for alternative advancement planning. The Scout and their parents, Scout leaders, and qualified professionals complete information in the forms listed below.

 

Each contributor should have a good understanding of the Scout’s strengths and challenges, and how their disability affects access to advancement. This information will help the Council make a proper assessment, so preparers need to be sure to include all pertinent information.

 

It is suggested that any Scout who may qualify should apply as soon as possible so that they have enough time to prepare. The advancement program is challenging, and many Scouts with disabilities have enjoyed success when they can access these challenges.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ABLESCOUTS.ORG

 

ablescouts.org

A practical guide for adult leaders, Scouters and parents. The information is updated regularly for Scouting of all abilities. It is the home of the Abilities Digest publication and the Inclusion Toolbox, listed below, as well as other helpful resources. 

 

Abilities Digest

A quarterly publication of the National Special Needs Committee of Scouting America. The articles are written by Scouting volunteers and are intended to share practices and procedures that have worked.

 

The materials offered are not professionally-vetted, nor are meant as medical or psychological recommendations. 

 

Inclusion Toolbox

Inclusion Toolbox for Special Needs and Disabilities is a series of printable webpages (divided by “modules”) that keeps special needs and disability information accessible 24/7/365 to the Scouting community. 

 

The Inclusion Toolbox is designed to allow you to access topics of greatest interest.  Use the Table of Contents and search feature to find the module that you need.

 

You can also download the entire toolbox as PDF document

 

 

Presentations and Learning Opportunities

 

Workshops

 

Presentations

  • LEAD 2025 CED-SND Courses – TBU

 

 

 

 

 

Training Modules

 

 

 

 

 

 

Special Needs Scouting Awards

 

Special Needs Scouting Service Award

This award was established to provide clear and visible recognition to adults, volunteer and professional, who serve the community of members with special needs of the Scouting movement.

 

It is earned by direct action on behalf of members with special needs and by spreading the ideals of inclusiveness, diversity, and disability awareness in Scouting. It is intended to create enhanced visibility of the resources available to serve these members and to ensure their success in Scouting.

 

Click on these links for more information and nomination form

 

 

Torch of Gold Award

The Torch of Gold is a council award given annually to an adult Scouter for dedicated work for Scouting youth, particularly Scouts with disabilities.  It is given in recognition for service in multiple areas for many years.

 

The nominee should show a level of dedication and service comparable to a Scouter receiving the Silver Beaver Award, but for service specifically in the area of working with Scouts with disabilities.

 

A Scouter must be recommended to his or her council by another individual. Although there are specific criteria for this award, each council should have its own selection procedure. See nomination form.

 

 

Woods Service Award

Each year, the national Woods Services Award is given to one or two BSA volunteers for exceptional service and leadership in the field of Special Needs Scouting.

 

The award was established in 1978 in memory of Luther Wellington Lord, an active Scouter and the residential supervisor for Woods Services and Residential Treatment Center in Langhorne, Pennsylvania, in recognition of his service to youth at the local and national levels.

 

Each council may nominate one Scouter for the award each year. Use the official nomination form, which must be signed by the council’s Scout Executive. Send the signed form to [email protected].

 

Woods Services nominations must arrive by January 31.

 

 

GGAC SN Champions by District

District

SND Committee

Representative (Champion)

Role

 
Alameda AreaEd BarnesFounding Member 
Gary BaysmoreFounding Member 
Cathryn EdelmenMember 
Melissa MacDonaldMember 
Linda OwczarzFounding Member, Vice Chair 
Wes TruexMember 
BrionesLiz ChaffeeMember 
Mary MarkeyFounding Member 
Chief SolanoSara JohnsonMember 
Diablo SunriseTBD  
Golden GateTony Mei (chair)Founder, Chair 
HermsMirna BymasterFounding Member 
LakeTBD  
MeridianTBD  
Mission PeakHeather ZengFounding Member 
MuirTBD  
Pacific RiversTBD  
SilveradoShanna PykaMember 
Twin ValleyLinda RansomFounding Member 

Our Office and Retail hours change occasionally. Follow this link to view our Current Business Hours.

Alameda Trading Post

1714 Everett Street
Alameda, CA 94501 | (510) 965-5631

Fairfield Trading Post

1955 West Texas St. Suite 1
Fairfield, CA 94533 | (925) 674-6166

Pleasant Hill Scout Shop

508 Contra Costa Blvd, Suite K2
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523 | (925) 674-8500

Pleasanton Trading Post

6601 Owens Drive, Suite 100
Pleasanton, CA 94588 | (925) 674-6100

GGAC Service Center

6601 Owens Drive, Suite 100
Pleasanton, CA 94588 | (925) 674-6100

Outdoor Program Office

1714 Everett Street
Alameda, CA 94501 | (925) 674-6130

© 2025 All rights reserved, Golden Gate Area Council, Scouting America

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General Information

GGAC Refund Policy

The Golden Gate Area Council has instituted a refund policy to ensure our Scouts receive high quality programs & activities.  A great deal of advanced planning and purchasing takes place for programs and events of the Golden Gate Area Council during the months and weeks prior to an event.

 

The Council will refund up to 100% of the costs for any event it cancels. In order to maintain the most cost effective and positive program impact activity, camping, and event refunds of 100% cannot be given.  Refunds are not given for No-Shows, schedule conflicts, weather conditions, or behavior issues occurring before or during the event. Refunds are considered based upon the following criteria and timeline and are returned to the person or entity and in the manner in which they were received. 

 

Time Until Start of Event

Percentage Refund

Up to 14 days prior

80% refund

Up to 7 days prior

60% refund

7 days or less

No refund*

*Participants who cancel from an event within 7 days will be considered for up to a 60% refund if the refund request is accompanied by a Doctor’s note.  Requests under these circumstances will not be considered if not received at the Council Service Center less than 14 days after the start of the event.

The Golden Gate Area Council believes each Scout should be given every opportunity to attend Camp. At times it can be hard for a family to raise the money, and Camperships can help cover part of the cost of a week of Camp for Golden Gate Area Council members attending one of the Golden Gate Area Council Camps. Campership applications are due by March 27th for continuing Scouts and May 29th for newly bridged Arrow of Light Scouts.

Due to the need for Staff time off, Saturday arrivals are NOT allowed.

ALL of our Camps are CLOSED and the Staff is off duty from 11:00 AM on Saturday to 11:00AM on Sunday each weekend. 

No Troop……..No Problem! You don’t have to miss out on all the fun just because your troop isn’t going to summer camp or because other summer plans mean you won’t be able to go to camp with your Troop. You may even want to do an additional week of camp just because you had such a great time.

 

New Friends…….New Experiences!  Provisional Camping is just like camping with your home troop, except you’ll have the opportunity to camp with new friends as you join Scouts from all over the council and beyond. You’ll meet new people and have the opportunity to develop friendships that can last a lifetime. Provisional Scouts will partner with a selected Golden Gate Area Council Troop with an experienced leader. You’ll have a full time Scoutmaster for the week that, just like your Scoutmaster back home, will make sure you have a safe and fun camp experience. Provisional scouts can participate in all of the camp’s exciting programs including advancement, competitions, and patrol events. It’s a great way to finish additional Merit Badges, or to try a new part of the program that you weren’t able to try before.

NOTE:

  1. First-year summer campers cannot attend as Provisional. Youth must have attended at least one Summer Camp at the camp prior to this year.
  2. We will contact you after receipt of your reservation to coordinate registration into specific camp programs, get health forms, emergency contact info, permission slips, etc…
  3. Adults attending with provisional Scouts must pay a leader fee.

SO, sign up now if you’d like to attend camp as part of the provisional camping program!

Provisional Camping is the creation of a temporary Troop or an opportunity to work with another unit. Provisional camping allows youth to attend camp without their home unit. Provisional camping is not new; it is used during many different Scouting events including National Jamborees and High Adventure trips.

The Scout’s family is responsible for transportation to and from Camp. Please contact the Golden Gate Area Council Camping and Outdoor Programs Department ([email protected]) for questions or more information.

How to verify an out of Council Merit Badge Counselor.

First, try to connect the Scout and counselor in Scoutbook. If that is successful, the counselor is registered and qualified. If unsuccessful, go to the counselor’s home council and search for their Advancement Administrators. Most will have an email address for either the Council Advancement Committee or Professional Advisor. Send an email asking if the counselor has been registered and qualified for the merit badge(s) in question and the status of their Youth Protection Training. Ask California councils if the counselor has completed AB506 training and LiveScan. The unit leader’s “blue card” signature verifies their counselor credentials verification.

Camping Champion

Training Campion

Events Champion

Resources Champion

Calendar Champion

Cub Scouts

Scouts BSA

Venturing

Sea Scouts

Exploring

International

Highlander

Shooting Sport

STEM

Scouting for Food

Order of the Arrow