Youth FAQ - Disabilities

[lookingaround]

Here is the disabilities question again, with a few minor changes based on feedback provided before the "crash". Please post any thoughts, suggestions, or comments! We appreciate it!

What about children with disabilities?
This is a question for the child’s physician and a parent/guardian who is very knowledgeable about their child. Caving may include walking through thick, slippery mud, climbing steep slopes, scrambling over boulders, crawling large distances, squeezing through very tight places, hiking through rocky river beds, etc. The cave environment may also be wet and cold. Check with your guide to determine what can be expected in the cave and on the journey to/from the cave.

Remember that caving has certain inherent risks (see question #XX). Your child should only proceed with caving if you and your health care professional feel that your child’s disability does not put him/her at significant additional risk and that your child can safely complete all required skills and activities.

Informing your guide about any special concerns will help everybody to have an enjoyable trip. You should provide a written copy of your health care provider’s permission to your guide before the trip; your guide may require it.

[amaddox]

Good questions to ask. This should also include youth group leaders.

[cave rat]

As the Caving Merit Badge Counselor/Director of my BSA Council, I have to keep a parents release form on file to release all medical information to me and the Council so that we have it in case the parent is not around.

Also the Boy Scouts of America requires all scouts parents to fill out either a Class II or III Medical form and keep it on file with the Scout Troop.