National Pike District
Inclusion Initiative
Inclusion National Pike Initiative
Mission: To foster inclusion in BSA starting with the National Pike District, and to support, educate, and empower others in such efforts.
Vision: Our commitment to promoting and practicing inclusion in the Scouting world springs from our desire to expose our leaders to experiences outside of their current environment (mindset) and educate them on the benefit of cultivating a culture of curiosity, understanding, and embracement among our scouts that will prepare them to thrive in and contribute to a globally inclusive scouting world and into adulthood
Resource links:
General Resources and Training:
BSA Website on Inclusion – provides the BSA DEI statement, links to Scout testimonials, information of the Citizenship in Society Merit Badge, and news items hot off the press.
Order of the Arrow Inclusion website – Inclusion information with a specific focus on the Order of the Arrow including History of Women in the Order, and forms for name changes for LGBTQ+ members.
BSA Inclusion Training – BSA provides a top level Inclusion training course SCO_1800 “Inclusion in Scouting”. Use your my.scouting.org login to connect to the course.
Cultural and Ethnic Inclusion:
Woodbadge Origins – Some wonder about the origins of the original Woodbadge beads, and the impact on the Zulu peoples. Read the linked statement by Mangosuthu Buthelezi, the grandson of King Dinuzulu, at the South African Scout Association: Mack Omega Shange Scout Competition Rally in 2002. This speech refers to a Scouting event in 1987 when a set of beads was given to him by the World Scouting Movement in a symbolic gesture of reparation.
Religious Inclusion:
Religious Observances Calendar – BSA maintains a calendar of including observance dates for a variety of religions to aid in event planning for District and Units. Resources include dates for approximately 4 years. Guidance includes Information on the origin of the holiday and the significance level.
Special Needs Inclusion:
BAC Special Needs Scouting Website – includes resources specific to our Council including mission statement, forms, advancement information and the Torch of Gold Award for Scouters impacting lives of our Special Needs Scouts.
BSA Special Needs Inclusion Toolbox – a set of resources to help leaders and parents better serve differently abled Scouts.
BSA Abilities Digest Newsletter Archive – a wealth of information about enabling all Scouts to be their best.