A special connection: Girl Scout troop open to girls of all ages and abilities
There’s a lot more to life than crafts, cookies and hiking. There’s also a lot you can learn about life while doing crafts, selling cookies and hiking.
Juliette Gordon Low knew that when she brought together the first group of girls 100 years ago. Since then girls from kindergarten through high school have been learning, sharing and growing together. Currently, there are nearly 87,000 girls in 245 communities in the Chicago and Northwest Indiana area.
Although the Girl Scouts do not have specific numbers, they do know that they have girls with special needs of all ages participating in troops. They also have numerous adult volunteers with special needs.
And why not? Juliette herself lived with a hearing impairment. A result of chronic ear infections and improper treatment, she had almost a total loss in one ear. Later in life she suffered a complete loss in her other ear.
Most girls with special needs assimilate into troops. The experience really depends on the specific disability as well as the attitude and flexibility of the other girls and the leaders. In the best situations girls work side-by-side learning and growing together.
Sometimes a little extra assistance is required. The Girl Scouts try to meet the needs of all girls and it comes down to a case-by-case basis on how they meet those needs.
Sometimes though, finding a good fit in a typical troop is a challenge. There may be difficulty keeping up, there may be outbursts, the level of patience and tolerance may be somewhat lacking, and acceptance by the other girls is not always guaranteed. You hope that an inclusive environment is always positive but sadly, that is not always the case.
Cathy Riehs of Naperville wanted to share her love of Girl Scouts with her daughter. Cathy and her two sisters were Girl Scouts and her mom was a leader. Finding that right fit in a typical troop for her daughter Emma, 11, whose primary disability is autism, was difficult. Laura Van Marm, 15, also of Naperville, has actually tried several typical troops. Mom, Nancy, found that with each one it was more difficult for Laura, living with Down syndrome, to fit in.
That’s when a unique alternative for a group of girls in the Naperville area came about. Riehs approached Western DuPage Special Recreation Association (WDSRA) with the idea of a troop for girls of all ages and abilities. The link to WDSRA was more than a logical connection; it was a direct line to expertise in the world of recreational programming for individuals with special needs.
A beautiful thing happened. Girls living with special needs, who were not comfortable in a typical troop setting, found that the world of Girl Scouting was open to them.
Troop 200 runs like any other but the rhythm of the troop reflects the specific needs of the girls. Eleven girls ages 8-15 with a range of abilities meet regularly and are immersed in Girl Scout traditions. But the best part is that they build friendships, have a safe environment with other girls and leaders who understand the quirks and outbursts of their disabilities, and they have the same opportunity to learn, share and grow that Girl Scouts has set out to offer to every girl.
Emma is building new friendships. She laughs and giggles and is completely at ease being herself. Emma’s mom loves watching her daughter enjoy some of the same childhood experiences she and her sisters enjoyed.
Laura is finally able to participate in all troop activities. The pace is one that makes her feel included rather than excluded. Laura has also found that she loves camping and looks forward to summer camp each year. And Laura’s mom has finally found the right balance for her daughter’s needs.
Sophie Boyle of Naperville also began in a typical troop. As the girls got older it became more difficult for Sophie, who lives with a traumatic brain injury, to keep up. Sophie’s mom, Penny, is searching for a troop that understands her daughter’s needs and for a connection to other parents who have similar struggles. A visit to Troop 200 is in her future.
Something inspiring is occurring. While each girl in Troop 200 has her own challenges, they are all able to bond in the spirit of Girl Scouting. Every girl contributes to the troop and they are all vital in making the troop a success.
They are busy learning Girl Scout traditions, making crafts, going on field trips, earning badges, helping with service projects, working with sister troops, and of course selling cookies. More than that, they are creating memories the Girl Scout way.
The Girl Scout Law
I will do my best to be
Honest and fair,
Friendly and helpful,
Considerate and caring.
Courageous and strong, and
Responsible for what I say and do,
And to respect myself and others,
Respect authority, use resources wisely,
Make the world a better place, and
Be a sister to every Girl Scout.
Families can find more information about Girl Scouts in the area at girlscoutsgcnwi.org. To find a Special Recreation Association in your area visit specialrecreation.org.
ŸSherry Manschot is the marketing/public relations manager at Western DuPage Special Recreation Association. She leads a parent network of special needs families at WDSRA. Manschot can be contacted at sherrym@wdsra.com. More information about WDSRA can be found at wdsra.com.