Sensory Inclusive Resources
Girl Scouts of Orange County is the first Girl Scout council to be Certified by KultureCity® as a Sensory Inclusive Organization!
Sensory Inclusion at Girl Scouts of Orange County
Girl Scouts of Orange County is proud to be the first Girl Scout council to be certified as a ‘Sensory Inclusive’ organization by KultureCity, a leading nonprofit dedicated to accessibility and inclusion for individuals with sensory and invisible disabilities. This partnership helps make all of the programs and events hosted by Girl Scouts of Orange County sensory inclusive.
For this certification process, the staff at Girl Scouts of Orange County were trained by leading medical and neurodivergent professionals. These trainings focused on recognizing those guests with sensory needs and how to handle a sensory overload situation. At Girl Scouts of Orange County, we recognize that 1 in 4 people have a sensory processing need and our goal is to provide an inclusive environment for all Girl Scouts and their families at our events. We are proud to be one of over 1800 locations across the USA and the world to become certified as a Sensory Inclusive organization.
About GSOC’s Sensory Inclusive Certification
Girl Scouts of Orange County has partnered with KultureCity® to enhance our ability to assist and accommodate Girl Scouts, Volunteers, and guests with sensory needs. Our goal is to provide an inclusive experience for all during all events. We strive to raise awareness of the needs and challenges faced by individuals with sensory processing needs by supplying our staff with annual training and by offering the resources and accommodations below to our guests.
Girl Scouts of Orange County has partnered with KultureCity® to
enhance our ability to assist and accommodate guests with sensory
needs. Our goal is to provide an inclusive experience for all guests
during events. We strive to raise awareness of the needs and
challenges faced by individuals with sensory processing needs by
supplying our staff with annual training and by offering the resources
and accommodations below to our guests.
Visit Girl Scouts of Orange County’s KultureCity Website for more information.
Sensory Bags
KultureCity® Sensory bags containing special VIP badges, feeling thermometer, a variety of fidget tools, strobe cancelling glasses, and noise-canceling headphones are available for checkout to use during GSOC hosted events. Ask the event check in table where to locate these bags. Sensory bags can be used for all abilities of all ages. Additional noise cancelling headphones are also available to borrow for event use.
Sensory Kits
Sensory kits are specially curated bins that are available to
volunteers to help create a sensory space for Girl Scouts for Service
Unit Meetings, Troop Meetings, or volunteer hosted events. A sensory
kit is a collection of items that can be used to create a sensory
space that may help calm a Girl Scout in overstimulating situations. A
sensory kit can help promote relaxation for Girl Scouts when sensory
inputs interfere with attention and concentration & cause them to
become anxious or feel overwhelmed.
What’s in a sensory kit? Each sensory kit includes a weighted lap pad, a variety of different types of fidget tools, noise cancelling headphones, visual stim cards, and mindfulness cue cards.
If you are interested in checking out a sensory kit, please email Noelle Hales at nhales@girlscoutsoc.org for more information or use the accommodation request form here.
Quiet Areas and Sensory Station
GSOC is committed to providing
a quiet area and a sensory station for all council hosted events.
Please ask the event check in table where to find the quiet area and
sensory station. You can also look for the posted signs at the event
to help you locate this space.
What can you find in the
sensory station? You can find weighted lap pads, a variety of
different types of fidget tools, noise cancelling headphones,
sensory lighting, and different sensory seating options.
Sensory Inclusive™ Initiative FAQ
What is the KultureCity® Sensory InclusiveTM Initiative? 
What is a sensory need or sensory processing challenge?
What is the difference between being Sensory InclusiveTM and sensory friendly?
What are some groups that are affected by sensory need/sensory
processing issues?
How does partnering with KultureCity® help?
What is the result of this initiative?
How many people have a disability in the USA?
What is the average age of someone with a sensory need?
