Troop accepting of differences

When Samuel Drenning was told he had Ehlers-Danlos syndrome at age 11, he had one question for his doctor — would he still be able to be a boy scout?

The answer was yes, but it wouldn't be easy. EDS affects his joints and skin, making his skin very sensitive and his joints unstable and sore. Scouting has a very physical side, it's not all volunteer work and first aid badges. Personal fitness is a core belief, and physical activity is a big part of participating.

Samuel, now 14, was having a hard time with that side. Keeping up with the other boys became a problem, and Sam didn't always know his limits. His parents wanted scouting to be a part of his life, but weren't sure he could fit into it.

"I saw a need for Samuel," said his mom, Kimberly Drenning.

The need — a special troop focused on boys who don't necessarily fit in with traditional troops. At troop open to boys with physical, mental and social conditions that keep them from blending into other troops.

So, after finding out that there wasn't a troop like that in the area, Kimberly and her husband Richard Drenning, of Winter Park, set out to make one happen for their son. Three other boys, all with their own unique needs, joined the troop and their first troop picnic was held in September. They say their motto explains it all.

"We like to say we're not in a hurry," said Edgar Martinez, whose son Frankie Martinez, 16, is autistic.

The troop does what all the other troops do: they work toward merit badges, go on camping trips once a month, do outdoor activities and learn life skills, but at each boy's own pace.

A couple of the boys had been in other troops, but the parents felt they were being pressured into fitting the traditional idea of a scout.

"We don't try to force them to fit into some sort of model or role, we accept them," Scoutmaster Richard said.

Sometimes the boys — who have varying mental and/or physical conditions — need to walk around when they're supposed to be sitting, talk out of turn or say the wrong things at the wrong times. The parents and scouts in this troop know this, and accept it. And while in other troops, the scout masters were understanding, the boys were not. It was hard for them to fit in socially.

"In the other troop they wouldn't even talk to him," said Kimberly about her son. "When they're in a regular troop, their difference is the emphasis."

But with Troop 408, they barely notice. Kathy Bitterman said her son Michael Bitterman asked her what was wrong with a couple of the boys, because they seemed normal to him. And when differences do come out, the boys look them over.

"Here they're just accepted," Kathy said.

"We don't care if we're different," said scout Jonathan White, 12, who has Asperger's Syndrome.

All the boys said camping was their favorite part about being a boy scout, but they also all mentioned being accepted and forming friendships with each other. The parents have noticed a big change in their sons' social abilities as well.

"Socially he's improved here," said Oviedo resident Jennifer Sierocinski, Jonathan's mom. "It's a smaller, more compassionate troop."

Edgar, from the Goldenrod area, said his son has grown a lot socially, which is especially important because he's autistic.

"It's a great environment for that," he said. "It is so rewarding for me to see that he can act socially correctly."

Jacob Bitterman, Michael's brother and assistant scoutmaster for the troop, said the opportunity for the boys to be with each other is important in growing up, and he likes being a "big brother" for all the boys.

"They grow and learn from one another — it's a unique experience," said Jacob, 19, a University of Central Florida engineering student.

This experience of friendship is nothing like anything they could get in a regular troop, the parents said.

"I wanted for him to not be invisible," Kathy said. "Here he's not invisible."

Learn more

For more information about Troop 408 and how to join, contact Richard or Kimberly Drenning at 407-657-0968, or e-mail [email protected]. Their troop accepts any scout, not just boys with special needs, and said any boy who feels like he doesn't fit in to a regular troop should check theirs out. Boy Scouting is for boys ages 11-17.