Registering beyond the age of eligibility

10.2.0.0. A member cannot learn or perform like most people their age Milestone

Youth members and adults who are disabled in a way that makes it very hard for them to learn or perform like most people their age may be considered for registration beyond the ages of eligibility: 11 or older for a Cub Scout, 18 or older in Scouts BSA, 21 or older as a Venturer or Sea Scout.

10.2.0.0. First ask whether registering as an adult volunteer fits better Recommended Decision

Adults with intellectual disabilities often see themselves as adults. Even where the person qualifies in every other respect, the Guide asks that this be considered before enrolling them as a youth participant: as an adult volunteer supported by the other unit leaders, the arrangement often fits their social development better.

10.2.0.0. It is meant to be permanent Requirement

The arrangement exists to allow ongoing participation as a youth member. Its benefits go beyond advancement, though it does allow continued advancement including the Eagle Scout rank.

10.2.0.0. It is NOT a time extension Often forgotten Requirement

A time extension is for the rare case of an extreme unforeseen circumstance or a life-changing event. Extensions have specific end dates, may or may not involve a disability, and exist only for the Eagle Scout, Summit and Quartermaster ranks. This is a different thing with a different approver. See 9.0.4.0 for extensions.

A time extension and this registration are not alternatives to one another. An extension has an end date, may have nothing to do with disability, and exists only for the Eagle Scout, Summit and Quartermaster ranks. This is permanent and open ended. Asking for the wrong one wastes the time of everybody who reads it.

10.2.0.0. The registration serves two distinct groups Decision

Knowing which one an applicant belongs to shapes everything that follows, including whether a youth or an adult application is enclosed.

Usually comes after 10.2.0.0. A member cannot learn or perform like most people their age.

10.2.0.0. Adults with significant intellectual disabilities Requirement

People who can enjoy and benefit from a Scouting experience. They can join Scouting at any age, even if they were never Scouts when they were young.

10.2.0.0. Members who joined while age-eligible and advance far more slowly Requirement

People whose leaders and families can see they would function better among people younger than themselves, with delayed intellectual or social development profound enough that they can only advance at a much slower rate than most Scouts.

10.2.0.1. The threshold: functioning clearly below age level, permanently Requirement

A candidate generally functions socially and intellectually at a level clearly lower than their age. On the form, the disability must be permanent and so severe that it precludes advancement even at a rate significantly slower than typical.

Usually comes after 10.2.0.0. The registration serves two distinct groups.

It is not appropriate for most types of disability, nor for moderate levels of learning, developmental or intellectual disability. Even with a disability, a young adult should go on to living like a young adult rather than remaining a Scout indefinitely.

10.2.0.1. There is no list of qualifying conditions, and there cannot be Requirement

Every case is considered individually. Many conditions can produce a lower functional level, combinations of conditions have a cumulative effect, and the medication a condition requires may itself affect functioning. It is the combined effect that matters, which is why no list exists.

10.2.0.1. An adult applicant needs a letter about intellectual ability Document

An application for an adult requires a letter from a health professional confirming that the person's intellectual abilities are below the regular upper age limit of the applicable Scouting program.

10.2.0.1. If ordinary flexibility is enough, this route must not be used Often forgotten Decision

Where members can take advantage of the flexibility already built into Scouting advancement and participate in essentially the same way as typical youth, they must not be registered beyond the age of eligibility. If ranks can be achieved through the accommodations or modifications set out in official literature, the disability probably does not rise to the level this request requires.

Usually comes after 10.2.0.1. The threshold: functioning clearly below age level, permanently.

If members can use the flexibility already built into advancement and take part in essentially the same way as typical youth, they must not be registered beyond the age of eligibility. Try section 10.1 (accommodations, modifications and alternative requirements) before this.

10.2.0.0. Developmental disability or cognitive impairment: submit at any time Optional May not apply Milestone

Requests to extend registration beyond the age of eligibility on that basis, for youth members and for adults, may be submitted at any time.

You have not answered "What is the nature of the disability?" yet.

10.2.0.0. Severe physical challenge: submit before age eligibility ends Optional May not apply Often forgotten Milestone

Requests for youth members on the basis of severe physical challenges must be received before they reach the end of age eligibility for the program. The Guide's own example: a request to extend participation in Scouts BSA must be received before the youth reaches their 18th birthday.

You have not answered "What is the nature of the disability?" yet.

Usually comes after 10.2.0.1. If ordinary flexibility is enough, this route must not be used.

This is the deadline in the whole process. A request on the basis of severe physical challenge must be received before the end of age eligibility, before the 18th birthday for a Scouts BSA member. A request on the basis of developmental disability or cognitive impairment has no such deadline.

10.2.0.2. Request for Registration Beyond the Age of Eligibility, No. 512-935 Document

The form itself, found in the appendix at 11.4.0.0 and at scouting.org/advancement. The parent or guardian fills it in. Everything below is attached to it, labelled as enclosures in the order given.

Usually comes after 10.2.0.0. Severe physical challenge: submit before age eligibility ends.

10.2.0.2. Enclosure 1: letter from the parent or guardian Document

Describing the disability, its severity and its permanence, and petitioning the council to approve registration beyond the age of eligibility.

10.2.0.2. Enclosure 2: membership application, or proof of membership Document

A completed youth application or proof of current membership for someone under 18; a completed adult application for someone 18 or older.

10.2.0.2. Enclosure 3: Annual Health and Medical Record Often forgotten Document

Completed and signed. Topic 10.2.0.2 asks for parts A, B and C; the sample form at 11.4.0.0 asks for parts A and C. Part B is the physician's examination, so the difference is an appointment. Ask the council which they want before booking one.

The Guide asks for this twice and does not agree with itself: topic 10.2.0.2 says parts A, B and C of the Annual Health and Medical Record; the sample form reproduced at 11.4.0.0 says parts A and C. Part B is the physician's examination. Ask the council which they want before booking an appointment. The form is at scouting.org/health-and-safety/ahmr.

10.2.0.2. Enclosure 4: signed statement from a health professional Document

Attesting to the nature of the disability, its severity, and the permanent limitations connected with it. The professional should have a specialty related to the disability: the form is more specific still, a licensed physician for physical disabilities, and for developmental or cognitive issues a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist, or as appropriate a neurologist or other medical professional in a related specialty.

10.2.0.2. Enclosure 5: letter from the unit leader Document

Advocating and supporting the registration.

10.2.0.2. Enclosure 6: other supporting documentation, optional Recommended Document

Pertinent parts of an Individualized Education Plan, treatment summaries and so on. Optional, but the Guide says they can make a difference to the decision.

10.2.0.2. Submit the packet to the Scout executive or a designee Task

The completed request form with its attachments goes to the local council. The form asks for it to be submitted to the Scout executive or a designee.

Usually comes after 10.2.0.2. Request for Registration Beyond the Age of Eligibility, No. 512-935.

10.2.0.2. The council executive board approves it, or delegates it Approval

The board must approve requests directly, or delegate the action to a council operating committee or another group of responsible volunteers at council level. That may or may not be the council advancement committee.

Usually comes after 10.2.0.2. Submit the packet to the Scout executive or a designee.

This is not the council advancement committee's decision, though the board may delegate it to them. It is the council executive board's, or that of a council operating committee or other group of responsible volunteers the board delegates to.

10.2.0.2. Never a district, and never one person Often forgotten Requirement

Consideration of registration beyond the age of eligibility must not be delegated to any district, nor to any single individual, professional or volunteer.

Consideration must not be delegated to any district, nor to any single individual, professional or volunteer. A decision taken by one person at district level is not a decision under this process.

10.2.0.2. Individual cases are carefully deliberated Task

The Guide asks for deliberation case by case rather than a policy applied across cases, which is the same reason there is no list of qualifying conditions.

10.2.0.2. The Scout executive prepares and sends the approval letter Document

If the request is granted, the Scout executive prepares an approval letter and sends it to the parent or guardian and to the unit leader or committee chair.

Usually comes after 10.2.0.2. The council executive board approves it, or delegates it.

10.2.0.2. A copy stays in the unit's registration file Often forgotten Document

Retained for as long as the member remains registered. It is also the letter an Eagle candidate over 18 needs: 10.1.2.7 requires a letter from the council advancement committee or Scout executive, confirming the member is 18 or older and so registered, to accompany the Eagle Scout Rank Application.

10.2.0.2. The council registrar enters the member Task

Following the procedures in the most current edition of the National Council's Registration Guidebook.

Usually comes after 10.2.0.2. The Scout executive prepares and sends the approval letter.

10.2.0.2. The member may keep advancing, including Eagle and Palms Milestone

Members approved for registration beyond the age of eligibility may continue working on advancement, including the Eagle Scout rank and Eagle Palms, for as long as they continue to be so registered.

Usually comes after 10.2.0.2. The Scout executive prepares and sends the approval letter.

10.2.0.2. Return or destroy the supporting private information Task

Once the Scout executive's letter is prepared and filed and the member is entered as registered, the supporting private information goes back to its source: the parent or guardian, or the institution that provided it. If there is any question about what to do with it, it should be destroyed.

Usually comes after 10.2.0.2. The council registrar enters the member.

10.2.0.0. And is eligible for the same accommodations as anybody else Task

Once granted, the member takes part in all aspects of their level of the Scouting program, and is eligible for the advancement accommodations described in section 10.1.

10.2.0.2. The registration can be expired Optional Decision

The local council or the National Council may expire it on uncovering evidence that a youth was improperly registered beyond the age of eligibility, or that for whatever reason they no longer meet the required level of severity. Registration of an adult as a youth member may also be expired where it is determined that they have progressed enough to be registered as an adult.

Usually comes after 10.2.0.2. The member may keep advancing, including Eagle and Palms.