Venturing
What is Venturing?
Venturing is a youth development program of the Boy Scouts of America for young men and women who are 14 (and have completed the eighth grade) through 20 years of age.
Venturing’s purpose is to provide positive experiences to help young adults mature and to prepare them to become responsible and caring adults.
Ventering is based on a unique and dynamic relationship between youth, adult leaders, and organizations in their communities. Local community organizations establish a Venturing crew by matching their people and program resources to the interests of young people in the community. The result is a program of exciting and meaningful activities that helps youth pursue their special
interests, to grow, to develop leadership skills, and to become good citizens.
Methods
The methods of Venturing have been carefully chosen to meet the needs of young adults.
Voluntary association between youth and adults
Because Venturing is voluntary, youth are receptive to new ideas, experiences, and relationships. For the youth members, these relationships provide a connection to new ways of thinking and acting, and a new identity as a responsible adult.
Ethical decision-making
By asking young people to be responsible for themselves, for a program of positive activities and experiences, and for other people, Venturing provides numerous opportunities for making decisions and ethical choices. With the influence of positive adult role models and structured activities, youth learn to make effective and ethical decisions.
Group activities
Venturing activities are interdependent group experiences in which success is dependent on the cooperation of all youth and adults.
Recognition of achievement
Recognition might come through the achievement of one of the many awards available to youth members, but peers and adults also achieve it through the acknowledgement of a young person’s competence and abilities.
Democratic process
Venturing crews provide exposure to democratic ideas and skills that are needed throughout life.
Curiosity, exploration, and adventure
New experiences and Venturing activities provide an excellent opportunity for acquiring new skills and participating in action-oriented activities.
Venturing Crew Specialties
The program of every venturing crew evolves around a special avocation or hobby interest of the youth members and adult leaders.
- Outdoor
- Sports
- Arts/Hobbies
- Youth Ministry
- Sea Scouting
Starting a New Venturing Crew
Organizing a Venturing crew is easy to do. Just follow these steps:
- A survey is conducted annually in community high schools to determine student’s recreational, hobby and avocation interests.
- A meeting is called of key people within an organization, with a Scouting representative in attendance. The representative explains the Venturing program, describes the key volunteer leader positions, and plans the recruiting of adult leaders.
- The crew committee and advisors are recruited and meet with the Scouting representative. Responsibilities of adult leaders are explained. The Scouting representative also discusses program ideas and helps develop a one-year program. The crew’s one-year program is reviewed and adopted.
- The organization’s top executive writes a personal letter to each young adults selected from the survey, or identified through other recruitment efforts, and invites the youth and their parents to attend an organization meeting. This letter is followed by a personal phone invitation from a member of the organization to each prospective youth.
- The first meeting is held, involving young adults, the adult-committee, and selected consultants. Adult Advisors share the program plans with the new Venturers (youth) and discuss member involvement and leadership roles through the election of youth officers.
Program Support
The Venturing division is designing literature, audiovisuals, training, activities, and awards to support Venturing crews and ships.
Literature and audiovisuals
A variety of books, pamphlets, and videos are being developed to assist with organization, program, leadership and activities. In particular, the Venturing Leader Manual will support leadership and planning.
Training
Basic and advanced leader training sessions along with crew leader workshops, quarterly Advisor meetings, and other program conferences will be available to improve and enrich Venturing crew programs. A weeklong high adventure skills course for Venturing Advisors is available.
Activities
Programs that enhance youth participation, such as the National Leadership Conference, will be available to all Venturing crews and youth and adult members.
Advancement Awards
A variety of wards are available to Venturers who accomplish specific advancement activities.
These award include:
- Venturing Bronze Award
- Venturing Gold Award
- Venturing Silver Award
- Venturing Ranger Award
- Sea Scouting Quartermaster Award
Recognition Awards
Those awards that are designed to provide recognition for youth and adults include:
- Venturing Leadership Award
- Venturing Advisor Award of Merit
Uniforms
The BSA will offer the traditional spruce-green uniform shirt for Venturers. It is recommended that crews adopt a gray casual pant and/or backpacking-style short for their uniform. However, each crew may determine what, if any, specific uniform pans for shorts they will wear based on crew activities.
BSA Councils
The Venturing crew and ships are supported by local BSA councils that provide staff and volunteer support, operate service centers and camps, and conduct training and activities.
Liability Insurance
The Boy Scouts of America has liability insurance that covers leaders and organizations to which Venturing crews and shops are chartered. Accident and medical coverage are not included but are available through local BSA councils at a modest cost.
For additional information and support on organizing a new Venturing Crew or Sea Scout Ship, contact your local Boy Scouts of America Service Center or the Venturing division, National Office, Boy Scouts of America.
