These requirements were revised on January 1, 2012.
A Scout who has a permanent physical or mental disability (or a disability expected to last more than two years or beyond the 18th birthday) and is unable to complete all of the requirements for Tenderfoot, Second Class, or First Class rank may, with his parents or guardian, submit a request to the council advancement committee to complete alternative requirements. Below are the procedures for applying for alternative requirements.
- Do As Many Standard Requirements As Possible. Before applying for alternative requirements, the member must complete as many of the standard requirements as his ability permits. He must do his very best to develop himself to the limit of his abilities and resources.
- Prepare a Request for Alternative Requirements. Once they have done their best to the limit of their abilities and resources, the unit leader or a troop committee member submits to the council advancement committee, a written request for alternative requirements for Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class ranks. It must show what has been completed, and suggest the alternatives for those requirements the Scout cannot do.
- Secure a Medical Statement and Provide Supporting Documents. The request must be accompanied by supporting letters from the unit leader, a parent or guardian, and the member (if possible), as well as a written statement from a qualified health professional related to the nature of the disability. This may be a physician, neurologist, psychiatrist, psychologist, etc., or an educational administrator as appropriate. Statements must describe the disability; cover the Scout’s capabilities, limitations, and prognosis; and outline what requirements cannot be completed. Additional information such as Individualized Education Plans (IEP) provided to parents by schools, and various treatment summaries and reports, may help an advancement committee make an informed decision.
- The Advancement Committee Reviews the Request. The council advancement committee reviews the request, utilizing the expertise of professional persons involved in Scouts with disabilities. The committee may want to interview the Scout, his parents, and the unit leader to fully understand the request and to make a fair determination. The committee’s decision should be recorded and delivered to the Scout and the unit leader. Tenderfoot , second class, and first Class Ranks Alternative Requirements
No council, district, unit, or individual has the authority to add to, or to subtract from, any advancement requirements.
For more detailed information about alternative requirements, see the Guide to Advancement.
(In particular, for the Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class ranks, see sections 10.2.2.0-10.2.2.2 on page 62.)
(NOTE: The substitution of “trip” for “hike” in the footnote to Second Class requirement 1b does NOT require the procedure listed above. That substitution may be permitted by the unit leaders based on their understanding of the Scout’s physical condition. )