Diversity

di·verse   
[dih-vurs, dahy-, dahy-vurs] – adjective

1.of a different kind, form, character, etc.; unlike: a wide range of diverse opinions.

2.of various kinds or forms; multiform.

Origin: 1275–1325; Middle English < Latin dīversus (past participle of dīvertere to divert), equivalent to dī- di-2 + vert- (base of vertere to turn) + -tus past participle suffix

—Related forms
di·verse·ly, adverb
di·verse·ness, noun
o·ver·di·verse, adjective
o·ver·di·verse·ly, adverb
o·ver·di·verse·ness, noun
qua·si-di·verse, adjective
qua·si-di·verse·ly, adverb
un·di·verse, adjective
un·di·verse·ly, adverb
un·di·verse·ness, noun

—Can be confused:  1. digress, diverge, diverse ; 2. divers, diverse .

—Synonyms
1. varied, manifold, divergent. 2. dissimilar, separate. See various.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2011.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/diverse

A question was posed to me, "How does the Cutout Cub Scout embrace diversity?". After thinking about it I can't help but think "How doesn't it embrace diversity?" Through this project not only can packs from all walks of life encounter each other but also in an established pack this project would allow boys with different backgrounds to work together and learn from each other.

In a pack if some boys or one boy is more artistic they could take the lead on the design of the Cutout Cub Scout. If another boy has skills on the computer he could design a web page or blog to record the journey of their adopted Cutout Cub Scout. A Cub who has photography skills could focus on the photography of the project. These are just diverse skills the Cub Scouts may have.

Their cultural and/or religious background could also reflect in the project. A Cub could take the Cutout Cub Scout home for the week and share their cultural or religious background with the adopted Cutout Cub Scout.

What about handicaps? My son has Asperger's, while he looks and often acts like anyone else there are times that this syndrome takes over. If the pack has accommodations they have developed for a cub scout who is handicapped or suffers from a disease they could tie in the Cutout Cub Scout to the accommodations. The design of the Cutout could incorporate this or the Cutout Cub Scout could "participate" in applying the accommodations.

The fact that the Cutout Cub Scout is made of paper could also be diversity. A older den may use the fact that the Cutout Cub Scout is "different" to illustrate discrimination. It could also help illustrate how accommodations can help someone who is different. What accommodations need to be made for a paper cub scout around a campfire? Similar questions could also be posed to the Cubs.

I believe this Wood Badge Ticket is a wonderful way to embrace diversity and also teach about it. All packs who participate should find this to be a fun and educational project that will reflect their own diversity and reveal the brother packs as well.