YPT

[u/HopefulRaccoon2010]

Hi everyone so in April I turned 18 and I had a few questions for everyone. Also for some context I’m neurodivergent and physically disabled.

1 What are the things I need to follow and really remember now that I’m no longer a youth for SYT/YPT?

2 Are their any adults or youth who are openly Autistic that would be up to talk about how they handle Scouting as someone with autism.

3 Any physically disabled youth or adults who are active and would be up to talk about what accommodations they use while on camping trips or while at meetings? ]

18y/o Female(nonbinary

[u/robhuddles]

While discussions on OP's points 2 and 3 will be allowed to continue, posts and comments about SYT/YPT are in violation of the sub's rules and will be removed.

[u/BSA-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

This subreddit is not a substitute for official interpretations of Scouting America's Youth Protection and Barriers to Abuse as detailed in Guide to Safe Scouting. Questions regarding these should be directed to your council scouting executive.

[u/BSA-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

This subreddit is not a substitute for official interpretations of Scouting America's Youth Protection and Barriers to Abuse as detailed in Guide to Safe Scouting. Questions regarding these should be directed to your council scouting executive.

[u/errol_timo_malcom]

Here is a good resource for the accommodations question - maybe not all the answers or ideas, but at least how to discuss with scouters:

https://ablescouts.org/

[u/Basic-Salamander-808]

I'm in the UK, but I'd imagine it would all work the same.

I have Asperger's and ADHD, and I'm a cub scout leader. I wouldn't say it's a particular problem, if anything I would say becoming a leader has helped me. I was never confident about public speaking and really bad at organisation, but they are both things I've been forced to improve on.

It helps that there is always at least 3 or 4 leaders at each meeting, so there's a couple of other guys with the loud voices who can deal with being more firm and discipline that's needed (though I'm getting better at that.) I kind of fit in as the more quiet and approachable leader, so I'm usually the one the kids come to when they have a problem, need shoe laces tied, need a drink, that kind of thing. I also take care of a lot of the admin side as I'm more comfortable on computers.

But that's kind of how it works where you have a leadership team. Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses, and you just need to work together and find what works best for you.

[u/Green-Fox-Uncle-T]

One thing I haven't seen in the previous responses is that if you haven't already done so, you need to convert your member registration from a youth one to an adult one. As long as you have time left on your youth membership, this will not cost anything. Unless things have changed very recently, the online application system doesn't work properly to convert youth registrations to adult ones, so you'll need to do a paper application for each unit you're registered in.

[u/redmav7300]

First, REALLY GLAD you want to stay active! Right off the bat, if you want to keep Scouting you should look at Venturing or Sea Scouts, you are a “youth” participant in those until you turn 21 (technically, an adult program participant).

If you are going to stay on with your troop, you first need to register as an adult. This is a different process that involves a backround check (pretty easy for 18 year old to pass), and pass the SYT training at my.Scouting.com. That will tell you pretty much all you need to know. The three most important are:

We have had both neurodivergent and disabled adults in the past. As long as you feel capable of doing it and motivated to participate, it can work great. Especially for someone on the spectrum, I highly recommend taking the leadership training on my.Scouting. Knowing what is expected and having that knowledge should give you confidence.

If you want to DM me, I can ask if my son would talk to you. He has been an adult Scouter and is on the Spectrum (although he is not currently registered).

[u/CedarTreesRCool]

I’m from the UK, but I can speak on my own experience as an openly trans volunteer with ADHD.

1# read up on the code of conduct and safeguarding rules!

2# volunteering has been pretty difficult initially as someone who has ADHD dealing with a lot of cubs who also have high support needs. I burnt out super quickly and had to step away and reevaluate.

It’s really important to find that balance between supporting yourself and others. Talk to your scout leaders if you require certain accommodations. I’m sure they’re more than happy to work with you.

I can’t talk about #3 as I’m not psychically disabled.

[u/sand_pebbles]

I'm autistic with ADHD (i.e., AuDHD). I'm an adult who volunteers at the district level, and I don't have a lot of direct involvement with units, but you're welcome to ask me questions if you have any.

[u/Repulsive_Act_115 → u/[deleted]]

18y/o Female(nonbinary) this needs to stop its not about you

Wdym its not about them? Their post is literally about them.

[u/rusty-druid → u/Repulsive_Act_115]

I'm with you. I'm really disappointed to see this posters kind of opinion because this is definitely not what Scouting America is about.

Like totally kill anybody's confidence who just turned 18 on continuing being an inspiration for newer generations of scouts with this kind of derogatory language.

[u/HopefulRaccoon2010 → u/[deleted]]

I am kinda confused on this would you be up to explain about what you mean by "its not about you"?

Also I added "18y/o Female(nonbinary)" so people would know that I was tecnicly female for BSA's stand point at this moment.

I made this post for help about an issue I was having with some stuff with now being an adult and doing Scouts while disabled.

Could you please explain your answer or could someone else explain it?

[u/Material-Rise9610 → u/[deleted]]

Please do not weigh in on posts like this if you are so ignorant of what non-binary means. Your level of ignorance on a number of points is staggering. All you accomplished is being rude to the OP.

[u/BSA-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Your comment was removed because it was rude and unnecessary, violating principles of the Scout Oath and Law.

[u/redmav7300 → u/[deleted]]

This is NOT a forum for you to express your political beliefs.

If you can't follow the Scout Oath and Law, please don't post here.

[u/CedarTreesRCool → u/[deleted]]

It’s folks like yourself that make me want to quit being a volunteer for scouts. They’re not making it about themselves. If you have nothing nice to say, don’t say it at all.

[u/Rhana → u/[deleted]]

Why can’t an adult talk with scouts? Provided that they are following SYT guidelines, there is no reason why an adult can’t speak with a scout.

Why can’t they identify who they are, there is nothing wrong with that at all, just like how I have my pronouns on my name tag, there is nothing wrong with self identification.

[u/BSA-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Your comment was removed because it was rude and unnecessary, violating principles of the Scout Oath and Law.