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Boy Scouts
Providing New Opportunities
Much too often youth in today’s society are seemingly limited in
their opportunities for growth, excitement and adventure. These apparent
limitations may be associated with financial means, physical or mental
ability, location or even race. However these limitations are being torn
away by the Scouting program in the Elgin community thanks to your United
Way support.
"Joe" a Tiger Cub with Down syndrome was a first grader who
heard about the Cub Scout program from his friend at school and wanted
to join.
Because of his disability he was sometimes not able to move as
quickly as the other boys in his den, but the boys brought him along to
everything.
They went to a firehouse where Joe was able to see trucks and
hear the sirens and talk to the firemen. He even got to see the inside
of the Fire
Engine, and he "loved it!" The other boys in his den were able
to learn patience and understanding while Joe was able to learn
what it was like to be ‘just another one of the boys’ rather
than a first grader with Down Syndrome!
Another example of "a new opportunity" is the Adventure Week
in southern Illinois. Garfield School staff members chose five
boys from Troop 355 because of their potential as good leaders,
to participate in
Adventure Week. Being in an outdoor environment energized the
boys. They enjoyed not only learning outdoor skills such as campfire
building and
fishing, but also completing a high ropes course which built
teamwork and helped teach leadership skills. Along with Venture
Crew 8, they participated
in rock climbing, hiking, and caving. Just being in the midst
of nature rather than the midst of a city was an exciting and
eye-opening experience.
Students often awoke to a herd of deer outside their cabins,
and one student always woke up early each morning and sat around
the campfire because
it was something he had never experienced. One teacher from the
school went on the trip to be a liaison for Garfield School and
will now have
a much stronger relationship with these students.
Experiences such as these allow many at-risk youth to go places
their feet (which often only take them to school) couldn’t otherwise
take them.
The Boys Scouts of America, through partnerships with many organizations
in the community of Elgin are striving to bring life-changing, character
building adventures to the youth of Elgin. It’s stories like these
that are everyday occurrences and your youth are thankful for your support!
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CASA
Volunteer Remains the Only Constant in Their Turbulent Lives
YWCA Elgin
- Providing a Hand-up
A New Beginning
to Life
Fulfilling
Our Mission
Renz Center Provides
Guidance on the Path to Happiness and Recovery
A Friend Forever
Becoming Whole
Again
Finding a Path
in Life
Providing
New Opportunities
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