By Shelby Stewart-Soldan
Staff Writer
Groveland Twp. — The Pontiac-Manito District of the Boy Scouts of America is teaming up with local non-profit O.A.T.S. Therapeutic Riding Center to offer new troops serving boys and girls ages 11 and up with neurodevelopmental conditions.
“While our current units invite all youth to join, we are aware that some within this community are best empowered through additional accommodations,” said Brandon Kathman, senior district executive and operations marking lead for the Pontiac-Manito District. “We are tremendously proud, we are excited for the future, but most importantly, we know that scouting is for everyone and should be accessible to all young people.”
The additional accommodations include sensory-friendly activities, individualized advancement plans, smaller group sizes and volunteer leaders with specialized training. There will also be a troop for individuals over 18.
“We invite all young people who would benefit from this kind of support to join us,” he said. “We invite you to shoot bows and arrows with us, come fishing with us and ride horses with us. We welcome you to share the trail and hike with us, camp out under the stars with us and roast marshmallows with us.”
Anyone with questions can call (947) 886-5736 for more information.
“We want to better learn your family’s needs to make certain we provide you with the most rewarding experience possible,” he said. “Additionally, we would love to hear from anyone who may be interested in supporting this endeavor as a volunteer leader, for which prior scouting experience would not be required.”