Giving Every Child a Voice: Girl Scout Troop 60929’s Mission for Inclusion at Heritage Park

Empowering Inclusion with Coastal Speech Therapy and Rare Genes Movement

This summer, Girl Scout Troop 60929 of Point Pleasant, NJ, took on an incredible mission for their Bronze Award and the impact will last for years to come. As part of their “Take Action” project, the troop raised funds to install an inclusive communication board at Heritage Park, providing a voice for non-speaking children and adults who visit the playground.

A communication board is a powerful and accessible tool that uses pictures, symbols, and words to support individuals with limited verbal communication skills. Whether someone is minimally verbal, non-speaking, has apraxia, autism, or other speech and language challenges, communication boards offer a way to be seen, heard, and understood especially during play, where connection and expression are so important.

Coastal Speech Therapy was honored to be invited by the troop to help guide the educational portion of the project. Our team worked with the Girl Scouts to explore the concepts of inclusion, neurodiversity, and accessible communication. We also collaborated in helping the girls select a board layout that was developmentally appropriate, accessible to a wide range of communication needs, and easy to use for caregivers and peers.

This initiative raised awareness. These young advocates learned that communication looks different for everyone and that true inclusion means creating environments where all kids can thrive. From start to finish, Troop 60929 showed heart, leadership, and empathy beyond their years.

The installation of the board also connected with the efforts of the Rare Genes Movement, a nonprofit based in Bridgewater, NJ, dedicated to raising awareness and providing resources for children with rare genetic conditions. Many children with rare diagnoses experience communication delays so this board becomes more than just a resource; it becomes a symbol of belonging.

By combining advocacy, education, and action, these Girl Scouts are changing the way we think about parks, play, and participation. Heritage Park now reflects the voices of all children including those who communicate in ways beyond spoken words.

Coastal Speech Therapy is incredibly proud to have played a role in this project and is inspired by the dedication of Troop 60929 and the Rare Genes Movement. We hope this is just the beginning of many more inclusive initiatives across New Jersey playgrounds.

Interested in learning more about communication boards or how your community can get involved? Contact us at Coastal Speech Therapy — we’d love to help bring more voices to more spaces.