Gifted And Physically disabled Scouts
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MISSION STATEMENT
GAPS, Occoneechee Council, aims to improve the quality of scouting experiences for all scouts with disAbilities while utilizing the guiding principles of the Scout Oath and Law.
VISION STATEMENT
The vision of GAPS, Occoneechee Council, is to be a committed resource for scouts, scouting families, volunteers and staff to support reaching maximum potential.
COMMITTEE SUMMARY
The mission of Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Scout Law. GAPS committee’s purpose is to provide resources, guidance, and training as tools to help adult leaders support inclusion of all scouting families AND to offer support to Occoneechee Staff in identifying needs in order to prevent crisis. GAPS recognizes that trained volunteer leaders are enthusiastic about supporting scouts with disAbilities. They understand the demands put on their patience and time yet remain compassionate in accommodations for rank advancement. GAPS strives towards building self-esteem and feelings of accomplishment to enable successful outcomes for everyone in scouting.
Email: OcconeecheeGAPS@gmail.com
Professional Advisers
| Highlander District | Britt Flather, RN Eric Ruhstorfer, LPN Renee Seese, Advancement Intervention Services |
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| Dogwood District | Rodney Dinkins, Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Melanie Jacobs, Occupational Therapy Services |
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| LaFayette District | Sean Brost, Advancement Intervention Services |
District Representatives
| Awahili District | OPEN |
| Black River District | Timothy Gillespie |
| Crosswinds District | Greg McGrew |
| Dogwood District | Allison Fulcher, Melanie Jacobs |
| Highlander District | Mindy Jones-Secary |
| Impeesa District | Jeff Price |
| LaFayette District | Sean Brost
Valeria Ivery – Disability Awareness Merit Badge Counselor |
| Mawat District | OPEN |
| Neuse River District | Jen Hiemenz |
| Shakori District | OPEN |
Find Us on Facebook: 
The annual District Committee Training Workshop will take place as follows:
| Date: | January 26, 2019 |
| Place: | Holland United Methodist Church 9433 ten-Ten Rd. Raleigh, NC 27603 |
| Time: | Registration starts at 7:30 AM, Training will begin at 8:15 |
| Who: | All District Committee members |
| Cost: | No Cost – snacks and drinks will be available |
| Registration: | |
| Flyer: | District-Committee-Training-Workshop-Flyer-2019.pdf |
This is an opportunity for district committee members to learn about upcoming changes to the program, network with peers, and share ideas.
Breakout sessions will be held for Key 3, Training, Membership, and Program (Camping, Advancement, etc …). District Key 3 and Program Chairs are encouraged to attend.
See below for flyers and registration forms. All courses start check-in at 6pm on Friday February 8, 2019.
| NRA Pistol Instructor | NRA Pistol Flyer | Registration |
| NRA Rifle Instructor | NRA Rifle Flyer | Registration |
| NRA Shotgun Instructor | NRA Shotgun Flyer | Registration |
NRA Range Safety Officer will also be offered as a single day course. Registration
| Course Name | Tread Lightly Trainer (See Prerequisites below) |
| Location | Occoneechee Council Office Boardroom 3231 Atlantic Ave Raleigh, NC 27604 |
| Time | Registration 8:30am to 9am Course 9am to 5:30pm |
| Cost | $25 for course, $25 for National Tread Lightly Membership Fee |
| Online Registration | Registration Link |
| Registration Deadline | February 1, 2019 |
| Flyer | TL-Trainer-flyer-2.16.19.pdf |
| Info Page | TL-Info-Page-2.16.19.pdf |
| Course Contact | Meredith Blackwood oeinfo@ocoutdoorethics.org |
Prerequisites:
1.Participants must complete the on-line awareness course and bring the certificate to class. http://www.treadlightly.org/course/inc/frameset/lessonframe.htm)
2.Participants must become a member of Tread Lightly!, paying the $25 membership fee prior to the course and bringing the receipt to the course. http://www.treadlightly.org/join-tread-lightly/
Every Scout deserves a well trained leader.
Are you that leader?
Become Wood Badge trained and you will be. In doing so, you will change your life and the lives of all the youth you mentor.
Wood Badge is considered the premier Scout leadership training course. It is available to registered leaders of all levels of the Scouting program – Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, and Venturing. Wood Badge training will make you a better Scout Leader, it will provide the tools to improve your unit.
2019 Course Dates
| Course | First Weekend | Second Weekend |
| Spring | March 8-10, 2019 | March 29-31, 2019 |
| Fall | Septermber 6-8, 2019 | September 27-29, 2019 |
The college of commissioner science is an annual training event for registered commissioners. It is an opportunity to have a continuing education experience in a college environment. It helps the commissioner stay current in policy, techniques and application of commissioner service to units. Bachelors, Master’s and Doctoral tracks will be offered, as well as a large number of continuing education classes.
In addition, the Council Board Orientation will be offered, as well as other general interest training classes.
2018 End of Year Report
GAPS News bulletin
University of Scouting Flier
Roundtable Flier
General Resources
- BSA Policy on Disabled Scouts
- Guide to Advancement
- Serving Scouts with Disabilities
- Scouting for Youth with Disabilities Manual
- A Guide to Working with Boy Scouts with DisABILITIES
- Working with Scouts with DisAbilities website
- Abilities Digest
- Torch of Gold
Special Need Resource
- Individual Scout Achievement Plan (also called Individual Scout Advancement Plan)
- Alternate Eagle Scout Merit Badge Requirements
- Request for Registration Beyond the Age of Eligibility
- Request for alternative rank advancement
Autism Resources
- Boys With Autism Can Thrive in Scouting—With Help
- A Guide for Scout leaders of Scouts with ASD
- Helping a Scout With Autism Be Part of a Troop
- Autism and Scout Engagement Strategies
- Discipline and a Scout with Autism – How to do it Effectively
- Wandering and Elopement
- Autism Elopement Alert Form
- Autism and Boy Scouts Website
ADD/ADHD
- ADD ADHD Characteristics and Strategies
- Working with Scouts with disabilities website
- Coping With A Hyperactive Boy Scout At Summer Camp
- Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Support Resources
How do I get involved?
GAPS is always in need of volunteers!
- District Representatives
- Disability Awareness Merit Badge Counselors
- Professional Advisors
GAPS DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE
At the District level, a leader, parent or adult mentor may volunteer to serve in a broader role as a coordinator of district-wide special needs activities. District Abilities Awareness Representatives serve a liaison role between the Council GAPS Committee and the units in their local district.
Roles and Responsibilities of the District Abilities Awareness Representative:
Key to supporting a network of Scouters with diverse experiences & common interests to support the Occoneechee GAPS (Gifred And Physically disabled Scouting) events and outdoor activities inside & outside the District & Council.
- Promote inclusion of Scouts within all units of your district
- Provides guidance and resources (to volunteers and professionals)
- Identifies, recruits & supports training of qualified volunteers
- Supports Unit/District/Council events
- Promotes attendance of volunteers and staff at training opportunities (with specific special needs/Disabilities awareness training separately or as part of a position-specific training)
- Provide support for program activities, advancement, camping, training and Roundtables
- Ensures that the needs of youth with special needs and disabilities are considered in all aspects of Council actions.
As a GAPS designated Accessible Unit, we recognize that trained volunteer leaders are enthusiastic about supporting scouts with disAbilities. We understand our Unit may face unique challenges and demands yet promise to remain compassionate in supporting both accommodations for rank advancement, and towards building self-esteem and feelings of accomplishment to enable successful outcomes for everyone involved in our program.
We welcome Scouts with all abilities and their families by:
- Providing an inclusive and understanding atmosphere together in Scouting.
- Helping and assisting each Scout family attain (reach) their goals in scouting.
- Providing an opportunity for the Scout to advance through the program.
- Raising abilities awareness in all youth, adults, and our community.
Roles and Responsibilities of Accessible Units:
- Committee Chair / Unit Leader (CM, SM, CA) make a commitment to welcome and work with Scouts of all abilities.
- Conduct an annual Facilities Checklist and discuss results at the unit leader meeting.
- Have a safe area for Scouts with sensory challenges to go to when they feel overwhelmed.
- Conduct an annual Abilities Awareness Night for youth in the unit.
- Fill out and update the annual special needs survey.
- Commitment to at least one abilities awareness presentation for leaders and parents per year.
Unit Listing
| Unit | Program Features | District | City | Point of Contact | Join |
| Pack 713 | All-Accessible | Highlander | Tri-County area of Spout Springs | Eric Ruhstorfer | Join |
| Pack 942 | All-Accessible plus Deaf & Hard of Hearing | Dogwood | Sanford | Melanie Jacobs | Join |
Interactive Map