Becoming a Girl Scout leader can be incredibly exciting, but what happens when you are met with a new Girl Scout you are just not sure how to support? Did you know River Valleys has an Inclusion Policy that is specifically focused on ensuring all members, under any circumstance, feel welcomed and included? As a leader, our goals are typically to ensure every Girl Scout has a unique experience that is not only fun and engaging but exciting, too. Sometimes we are not sure what that should or could look like.
In the United States about one in six, or roughly 17%, of children aged 3 through 17 years have one or more developmental disabilities. Developmental disabilities are a group of conditions due to an impairment in physical, learning, language, or behavior areas. A sizable number of those are defined as invisible. Invisible disabilities include, but are not limited to:
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Autism spectrum disorders
Brain injuries
Epilepsy
Severe food allergies
Since invisible disabilities can be difficult to recognize, this makes it even more important that we try to equitably represent all Girl Scouts when approaching and welcoming children with varying abilities. Sometimes parents and even Girl Scout volunteers assume that if a child has a disability – or a certain kind of disability - they cannot be a Girl Scout. Not true! Every girl deserves the opportunity to be a Girl Scout. No matter what challenges a Girl Scout may face, or how they and their families choose to participate, there are always options for a member to explore their journey uniquely. When leading a troop, Girl Scouts River Valleys has the tools and resources to truly adapt and advocate for all members with varying abilities.

Did you know that our founder, Juliette Gordon Low, suffered from severe hearing loss? She sometimes used “ear trumpets,” the forerunner of today’s hearing aids, but she also tried to hide her deafness by being charming, talking a lot and moving quickly from one person to the next. Despite these challenges Juliette formed the first two American Girl Guides patrols, registering 18 scouts in March of 1912 and went on to provide Girl Scouting for 1.7 million Girl Scouts nationwide. So, like Juliette Gordon Low, how can we create a welcoming space for all troop members to grow and learn through Girl Scouting?
Here are a few tips to get you started:
1. No Experience Required
You do not have to be an expert on disabilities to provide accommodations. Starting off with an open mind and a willingness to learn will carry you far in fostering an inclusive troop.
2. Resource and Adapt
Start with what you know; if you have a family member or friend who has special needs, reach out to that community. Look for social stories that might help explain the activities you will complete. Social stories are a social learning tool that uses words or images to explain a specific task, concept, or skill. Creating opportunities where you recognize a barrier offers alternative ways of completing a task.
3. Plan Ahead
Set up your troop for success by taking thorough notes of what they can expect during your activities. Some considerations include:
What will the activity involve? Who will lead it?
What are the badge requirements (if any)?
Are there paved paths?
Will the space be noisy or crowded?
Are there quiet or private spaces nearby?
Will the Scouts and their families bring food? Is there a place for them to store it?
4. Partner with Parents and their Scout
Prep your families for what the activities might look like and ask if there are any barriers. Allow them to make suggestions and be part of the planning process for how their child might participate. Learn about the Girl Scout what are their likes? Dislikes? What things do they find difficult? Include them and their family in the planning process.
5. Focus on Abilities, Not Disabilities
A troop member who uses a wheelchair may not be able to build a campfire on the ground, but they may be able to prepare graham crackers, marshmallows, and chocolates for s’mores at the table nearby. Or a raised portable fire pit could be used to have everyone on the same level. Using colored paddles when voting can be used to overcome speech barriers. Give cues or refer to social stories to help support transition struggles. This can look like giving 5 min reminders that an activity is going to change. You can also have visual social cards such as a checklist with pictures that show what has been completed and what is next. When you start looking at the situation with everyone’s abilities in mind, there are no limits to what Girl Scouts can achieve! Remember to focus on the intent of the activity you are doing, instead of getting stuck in the details.
6. Speak up
When creating a space of inclusion use teachable moments. Allow questions and use those questions as a moment to educate fellow troop members on how what they do might look alike or might be different. In partnership with your families, provide what you know and how as a troop you can work together to include everyone. Use people-first language which is defined as emphasizing the person before the disability. The words we use to describe ourselves and others say a great deal about who we are and what we believe. Therefore, we must be aware that even if it is not intentional, our words can be offensive, condescending, or hurtful to others. For example, use people with disabilities vs. the handicapped or the disabled. Another example might be using a person diagnosed with a physical disability vs. Crippled. Always remember words have impact.
7. Create Opportunities
Knowing and understanding a child’s abilities will allow you to transition in moments where there are barriers. Try not to call attention to the extra assistance, and always have alternatives to activities such as books relating to the topic, activity bags, sensory tubes, fidgets, or coloring sheets.
8. Ask for Help
Ask for additional community members or parents within the troop to add layers of support. Sometimes all we need is a few extra hands to offer one-to-one ratios for particular activities.
9. Create a Welcoming space
Contact local schools and ask if you can provide the special education teachers with recruiting pamphlets. Make sure those materials specifically say that girls with special needs are welcome in Girl Scouts. Special needs parents are used to assuming our children are excluded, so you have to wave us down to get our attention
10. Resources and pages to visit and learn more:
Specialeducationguide.com/disability-profiles https://www.parentcenterhub.org/accommodations/ https://wheelchairnetwork.org/
There are many resources available to you at Girl Scouts River Valleys. Be sure to review Safety Activity Checkpoints for a complete listing of all safety policies and expectations. Some specific forms that can relate to disabilities and inclusion include:
And do not forget to connect with your service unit manager (find your service unit here) to brainstorm solutions. Or connect with the Program team at Girl Scouts River Valleys on how you might adapt an activity. Troops can contact GSRV online, at girlscouts@girlscoutsrv.org, or 800-845-0787. At Girl Scouts, every girl is welcome!

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