Opportunities Inc. and the Boy Scouts of America Caddo Area Council are working together to start scouting troops for children and adults with disabilities. One of the troops will be for adult males, one for adult females and another for children and one restricted for children in kindergarten through second grade.
"From our perspective everybody deserves an opportunity to participate in the Boy Scouts of America," said Anthony Escobar, Scout executive for the Caddo Area Council.
Boy Scouts of America has a well-established program for people with disabilities but this is the first time it's been used here.
"We are excited at the opportunity to serve a group of people who are currently not being served with scouting in our community," Escobar said.
Scouts in these troops will experience scouting much the same way as any participant.
"They'll be able to earn merit badges, rank advancements and make s'mores," Escobar said. "They're going to get the same experiences in their cub pack or troop that anyone else in a pack or troop would receive. They'll get the opportunity to participate in fun Scout activities, opportunities for leadership and they'll be able to learn some skills through the merit badge program. These are things that will help them become more independent and gain confidence."
Opportunities Inc. officials are excited to bring this chance to experience scouting to their clients.
"This gives them the opportunity to learn new skills," said Sherry Young, Opportunities executive director. "I guess the biggest benefit to our clients is they'll get to experience camping, hiking and those kinds of things."
The adult troops will start in September and the cub pack will begin in October.
"Having troops with disabilities will bring community awareness that they are able to do what everyone else can. It allows the children and adults that will be able to be in the troops to be part of something bigger," said Rebekah Drennon, Opportunities development director. "They'll have goals they can reach, the chance to learn new things and be involved in the community."