Boy Scout troop helps family ‘Be Prepared’
By Kristin Hoppa St. Joseph News-Press
One local family is living the Boy Scouts of America’s motto through and through as it prepares a new unit of children to “Be Prepared,” regardless of disabilities.
John and Teresa Julian began a special-needs Boy Scout unit in Virginia after their three adopted, special-needs children required socialization skills. A Boy Scout at a younger age, Mr. Julian felt the need to enroll his children in the organization.
“I decided I needed to teach my boys values and character to get their education rolling,” said Mr. Julian, scoutmaster for the special needs troop, adding that his children are home-schooled. “My boys were older than other Scout members, so I decided to start a special needs troop and it’s taken off from there.”
After moving to the St. Joseph area six months ago, the Julians contacted the Pony Express Council and decided to form a second St. Joseph special needs troop.
The current one, No. 700, has been in existence since November 2005.
“Everybody does it a little bit differently, and we wanted to be inclusive to the whole family,” Mr. Julian said. “We mix it in with siblings too, so everyone can feel included, disability or not.”
The new troop will allow programs and activities for girls as well. Ages range between 3 and adulthood. Paul Laubersheimer, district executive for the council, said an additional troop gives parents and caregivers more options.
He said after the council and the Julians partnered with St. Paul United Methodist Church, the scope of the troop, No. 2250, broadened.
“The current troop has about 10 members, as their charter partner is Grace Evangelical Church,” Mr. Laubersheimer said. “With the troop and pact at St. Paul, we hopefully will have many more to come.”
Special-needs children typically need additional attention, depending on various conditions the members are diagnosed with.
“I hope everyone in these specialized troops get the full benefits of scouting,” Mr. Laubersheimer said. “The goal of the Boy Scouts is to give everyone an opportunity to receive value and have fun the Boy Scout way.”
The Julians’ children, Daniel, Dennis and Sabrina, all 17, are registered to participate. Although their interests vary, they all enjoy scouting.
“I’ve got friends,” Daniel said, when asked what part of scouting he enjoyed the most, adding that the organization taught him to tie knots.
Currently, about eight children are registered for the newest unit. Meetings begin Jan. 8 at 6 p.m. at the St. Paul United Methodist Church, 18681 U.S. Highway 59 in Country Club Village.
For more information, contact Teresa Julian at (913) 396-2716, or e-mail her at jtjulian2003@yahoo.com. Kristin Hoppa can be reached at kristin.hoppa@newspressnow.com.
