National Capital Area Council Special Needs Scouting

02/27/2026

Some good resources out of the UK

We’ve created new visual stories and resources to help young people in Scouts feel more confident and prepared.

These visual supports make activities easier to understand and help reduce uncertainty. They’re especially helpful for anyone who’s neurodivergent, has hearing impairments, or speaks English as an additional language.

Follow the link to find sets of Widgit Symbols and stories for every section, including symbols for common Scout routines and activities here: https://bit.ly/47HZzn4

Widgit Software

01/31/2026

Registration is open for the Adaptive Outdoor Conference and the Zia Family Experience this summer at Philmont Training Center. https://www.philmontscoutranch.org/ptc/ptc-conferences/
They have some exciting things planned for the Zia Family Conference this summer! June 28-July3.
I encourage anyone interested in attending to sign up - there are scholarships available through Philmont Training Center! (Please apply!!!)

01/31/2026

Here is the first publication of Module BB-7 of the Inclusion Toolbox for Special Needs and Disabilities.

The title is General Merit Badge Teaching. It is a short and comprehensive guide for a 16-20 year old camp counselor to teach merit badges and Webelos adventures to all kinds of Scouts.

If you have anything to do with running program at resident camp or teach merit badges as a camp counselor, this is really helpful for staff training. Like all the BB-series modules it is built to give you what you need for your work without wading through anything extra.

CAMP PROGRAM FOR SCOUTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS AND DISABILITIES IN THIS MODULE OVERVIEWTHE MOST IMPORTANT THINGGETTING READY TO TEACHTHE EDGE TEACHING METHODWhen EDGE Isn’t EnoughWHEN IS WORK GOOD ENOU…

07/31/2025

The Zia Experiemce at Philmont is amazing for scouts to still get the Philmont experiemce.

05/31/2025

The Spring 2025 issue of Abilities Digest is out!

Dive into inspiring stories and valuable resources, including Awareness Events like the Zia Trek and Adaptive Outdoor Conference, a Spotlight on the Special Needs Prepared Camps Pilot, and recognition of the 2025 Woods Services Award Winners.

Additionally, discover how to make advancements more straightforward with tips on accommodations versus modifications, and explore best practices for promoting positive communication and enhancing camp nutrition. Check it out!

Here is the Spring 2025 issue of Abilities Digest, which includes: Awareness Events: Zia Trek; Adaptive Outdoor Conference Spotlight: Special Needs Prepared Camps Pilot Recognizing Abilities: 2025 …

05/13/2025

Pretty neat in our own backyard.

Goalie Doug Goist, who played internationally this month for Team USA, told News4 how his team works.

05/04/2025

If you had to pick just one point of the Scout Law to describe Isaiah V., it would be brave. That same word applies to his mom and dad, too.

04/05/2025

This is a pretty powerful clip showing how someone with autism can do what they want but also know that “episodes” can happen and it’s ok if we know how to help. While this is a clip from survivor this could totally be something that happens at a scout camp as well. Well worth the watch.

Jeff Probst gets emotional after Eva discloses her autism.Subscribe to the "Survivor" Channel: http://bit.ly/1PHu4sf Watch Full Episodes of "Survivor" on Par...

04/05/2025

Space still available for ambulatory Scouts with special needs to participate in the Zia Trek June 21-28 at Philmont.

Scouts must be able to hike and have a parent or caregiver accompany them on the Trek.

04/05/2025

Resources of the day, especially as Troops start preparing for their new cross over Scouts.
Joining Conferences
https://vimeo.com/905369255

In addition to the video there are some articles from Abilities Digest about how to have a Joining Conference.
https://ablescouts.org/2021/02/16/joining-conferences/

This is "Scouts BSA Roundtable - Joining Conferences" by Boy Scouts of America on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

04/05/2025

Interested in learning how to better work with Scouts with special needs or disabilities?

Join members of the National Special Needs and Disabilities Committee June 22-28 at Philmont Training Center spending a week learning best practices working with Scouts with special needs or disabilities, their families, units, districts and councils across all programs. Participants will get the hands-on opportunity to work with Scouts and their families attending the Zia Family Experience, and visit various Philmont program areas. Other topics included this year will include how to expand your district or council committee through relationships, and ways to include more individuals with special needs in Scouting.

https://www.philmontscoutranch.org/ptc/ptc-conferences/

Scholarships are available!!!

https://www.philmontscoutranch.org/ptc/rates/

02/04/2025

National encourages people to use the on-line version of the Inclusion Toolbox for Special Needs and Disabilities at ablescouts.org because they issue updated modules throughout the year. But some of us are paper people, so once a year they produce a single PDF that is formatted for printing with the entire toolbox. National just finished the update for 2025 and you can get it at the link below-

https://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/34059(25)-Inclusion-Toolbox-Complete.pdf?_gl=1*i5byb9*_gcl_au*Mjk3NjI0ODYyLjE3MzczMjE1MTI.*_ga*MTMyMjc4MTg2Ni4xNzM3MzIxNTEy*_ga_61ZEHCVHHS*MTczODcwODA4Ni4yLjEuMTczODcwODM4Ni41NS4wLjA.*_ga_20G0JHESG4*MTczODcwODA4Ni4yLjEuMTczODcwODM4Ni41NS4wLjA.&_ga=2.66041388.361440438.1738708087-1322781866.1737321512

You can also go to https://www.scouting.org/resources/disabilities-awareness/ where it is under the General Resources.

NOTICE For further resources and information please email us at [email protected] The basic premise of Scouting for youth with disabilities is that all youth want to participate fully and be respected like every other member of the unit. While there are, by necessity, units exclusively....