(Unofficial) New Academics and Sports Requirements: Abilities Awareness

Unofficial Academics and Sports requirements for Abilities Awareness:


Belt Loop

Complete these three requirements:

1. Visit with a child or adult with special needs. Find out what they enjoy and what they find difficult.

2. Attend a special needs event such as Easter Seals, Special Olympics, a performance with sign language interpretation, an activity with Needs or Guiding Eyes dogs, or a wheelchair race. Tell your adult leader what the participants were able to do.

3. Make a display about one or more special needs. It can include physical, learning, or mental challenges. Share the display at a pack meeting.

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Earn the Abilities Awareness belt loop and complete five of the following requirements:

1. Look at three different wheelchairs. Explain their differences. With an adult’s help and permission, try to operate one.

2. Using sign language, demonstrate the Cub Scout Promise and motto.

3. Read a book about a person with a special need.

4. Explain how your school helps students with special needs (elevators, ramps, small classes, special tools and equipment, specialized teachers). Show some of these special resources to an adult or family member.

5. Describe one of the following and its purpose: Occupational therapy, speech therapy, or physical therapy. Visit with a person who works in one of these fields and learn about his or her position.

6. Read about a famous person who has been physically or mentally challenged.  Report what you learned to your den or family.

7. For two one-hour periods, and with adult supervision, go about your normal routine doing chores, watching television, studying, etc. Change your abilities by using one of these experiences:

• Hearing impairment—Muffle your ears with earmuffs or bandages.
• Sight impairment—Blindfold one or both eyes.
• Physical impairment—Bind an arm or leg so that it cannot be used.
• Speaking impairment—Cover your mouth or do not speak.
• Choose an impairment of your own that is approved by an adult.

8. Look at a catalog and find three items that could help a person with special needs in their daily life. Explain how each item would help the individual.

9. Volunteer and help someone with special needs in school, sports or another supervised activity.

10. Visit a nursing home or elderly person and help someone with a meal.

11. Talk to someone who works with people who have special needs. Ask what the person’s job is like and how he or she helps people with special needs.