Venturing
Scouting's Next Step

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Why  Start a Venturing Crew?


What is Venturing?

  • The young adult program of the BSA for men and women 14                                                   (who have completed the 8th grade) through 20 years of age
  • Youth member is a "Venturer"
  • A unit is called a "Venturing Crew"
  • Venturing adults are "advisors"
  • Youth leader is the "president"
  • $11 membership fee (includes Council Insurance Fee) - same chartering process

Why your Troop should consider organizing a Venturing Crew

  • The Venturing Program complements the Boy Scout Troop.                                                          It adds exciting new advancement and leadership opportunities for your older boys
  • It allows flexibility, so boys can participate in both programs
  • Venturing can help solve many of the Scoutmasters challenges
  • It meets the wants and needs of 14 to 18 year old boys

Scoutmaster Challenges

  • Keeping 14 to 18 year old Scouts "engaged" in the troop
  • Challenging older Scouts, while at the same time,                                                                     trying to attract and retain younger Scouts
  • Competing with older Scouts interests; cars, girls, High School
  • Giving leadership/role model opportunities to all older Scouts
  • Giving younger Scouts something to anticipate beyond the Troop

National BSA Statistics

  • Average Boy Scout is 13 years and 3 months old
  • Average Eagle Scout is 14 years and 9 months old
  • Average Boy Scout attendance at summer camp is 2.8 years
    •

Male Venturers may continue to work toward Eagle

  • Must be at least a First Class earned as a Boy Scout or Varsity Scout
  • Requirements remain the same
  • Board of review can be conducted by the troop or crew
  • Those registered in both the troop and crew can receive multiple credit for many Bronze, Gold, Silver and Ranger requirements
  • Can receive past credit for certificates earned

What does Venturing offer to older Scouts in your troop?

  • New advancement opportunities for boys interested in progressing beyond Eagle
  • New awards and recognition for boys out of the advancement loop
  • Activities with boys and girls their own age
  • New leadership skills training for all members
  • Older Scouts give leadership to the Troop through the Ranger program

How does a Troop and a Crew work together?

  • Scouts ages 14 to 18, and adult leaders can be members of both units; primary registration in the troop and multiple in the crew
  • The Crew meets separately from the Troop twice each month and has occasional activities apart from the Troop
  • Older Scouts in the Troop, (especially troop leaders) are expected to participate in both units
  • Recruit an Assistant Scoutmaster to serve as Crew Advisor
  • Utilize existing merit badge counselors as consultants for the Ranger Award
  • Utilize Troop advancement chair to help conduct Crew reviews for the Gold and Silver Awards
  • Venturers can wear distinctive uniforming and maintain the same unit number

14 to 18 year old boys want:

  • Challenging physical activities with boys their own age
  • Recognition of their "older" status
  • Activities with girls
  • Control of their environment
  • Independence
  • To explore and experience their world
  • A sense of belonging and acceptance from their peer group, inclusion in a "gang"

14 to 18 year old boys need:

  • Consistent adults that "Walk their Talk"
  • Character and ethical education outside the classroom
  • Positive adult role models, male and female
  • Opportunities to become proficient at something
  • Leadership opportunities
    •

What is the difference between Venturing/Venture?


Venturing Crew     

  • Stand Alone Unit     
  • Coed, all male, or all female   
  • Ages 14-20     
  • 5 Bronze awards, Gold, Silver, Ranger,   Quartermaster &
  • Boy Scout  advancement Above 1st class for  male Venturers
  • President, two VP positions, Secretary,   Treasurer, Activity chairs     


Ranger Core Requirements

  • Standard first aid plus When Help is Delayed
  • Communications
  • Cooking
  • Emergency Preparedness
  • Land Navigation
  • Leave No Trace
  • Wilderness Survival
  • Conservation

Ranger Electives (must earn 4 of 18)

Backpacking, Cave Exploring, Project COPE,  Mountain Biking
First Aid,  Fishing,  Ecology,  Equestrian
Hunting,  Lifesaver,  Mountaineering, Outdoor Living History
Physical Fitness, Plants & Wildlife, Scuba ,  Shooting Sports
Water Craft,  Winter Sports

Venturing's growth is happening in these areas:

  • Church youth groups that adopt the structure of Venturing to help strengthen their youth group
  • Successful troops that adopt Venturing to meet the wants and needs of their older boys
  • High School and college outdoor clubs that adopt Venturing to           complement their program
  • Independent groups that are organized from High School hobby surveys

Venture Patrol

  • Optional patrol of a troop
  • Male only
  • Ages 13-17
  • Boy Scout advancement only
  • Venture Patrol Leader