A boy scout or girl scout troop are by necessity, structured environments.
A Venturing Crew, by definition, maintains a very flexible atmosphere.
A Venturing Crew is a fun-filled , co-ed organization run, organized and executed by teens, for teens, designed to help develop leadership and teamwork through outdoor adventures and unique outings and activities. Although co-ed, it's a separate and senior division of the Boy Scouts of America. The Venturing program started in 1998 and is an evolution of Exploring, which BSA operated for decades.
A Venturing Crew, by definition, maintains a very flexible atmosphere.
A Venturing Crew is a fun-filled , co-ed organization run, organized and executed by teens, for teens, designed to help develop leadership and teamwork through outdoor adventures and unique outings and activities. Although co-ed, it's a separate and senior division of the Boy Scouts of America. The Venturing program started in 1998 and is an evolution of Exploring, which BSA operated for decades.
Venturing's purpose is to provide positive experiences to help young people mature and to prepare them to become responsible and caring adults.
Venturing 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.
Venturing crews can specialize in a variety of avocation or hobby interests.
What a Venturing Crew IS NOT- A group of (exclusive) older teens in a troop setting doing "older" activities that younger scouts are not allowed to do..
The FAQs of Venturing...
Frequently Asked Questions (and Answers) about the Venturing Program
Q: My child is very busy with sports, school and social activities to attend the weekly troop meetings. How can he/she fit Venturing into his busy schedule?A: The BSA is very aware of the time restraints on older youth, this is why there are less meetings (2/month maximum) and less outings/year.
Q: Are there rank advancements required in the Venturing Program?
A: No. There are no rank advancement requirements in the Venturing program. This
benefits teens that are not interested in rank advancement, but in doing and learning from
activities and outings. There are various awards (Bronze, Silver, Ranger, etc..)
However, if a youth is currently working on rank advancement to Eagle, this is possible., Actually,
since Venture Crews are all older, there may be more participation among peers when it is time to enlist
help for that Eagle project.
Q: My son/daughter is now interested in girls/boys, how does this work with Venturing?A: All Adult Advisers must be trained in specific Venture Crew age-specific youth protection and older teen issues. so that they are able to keep youth in a safe environment. When overnight outings are involved, there is required two-deep Co-Ed Adult Advisers in attendance
Q: How does the Venturing Program help with the need for youth independence?A: All the young adults are given the opportunity to accept a leadership position within the Crew.
Q: Are the youth members really in charge or is just perceived (like in most troops)?A: The youth members of a Venturing Crew are the leaders. They organize, run and execute each and every outing /event. Learn-Know-Do-Teach is an integral part of each Venturing activity. Adults do not hold the position of leader, but provide "shadow" guidance as Advisers/Counselors
Q: Is a Venturing Crew connected with an existing troop?A: NO. A Venturing Crew is a separately organized/chartered unit (NOT a part of a current Boy Scout or Girl Scout troop).
Q: What is the maximum age?A: Unlike a Girl Scout or Boy Scout Troop, the maximum age is 20.
Q: Can both boys and girls join?A: YES. A Venturing Crew can be very successful as a COED unit.
Q: Who organizes and runs a Venture CREW?A: The young adult members in a CREW make all the decisions and runs all activities (with the advice and counseling of the adults in the CREW)
· Q: Can a current Boy or Girl Scout stay a part of their current troop?A: Absolutely. In fact most Venturing Crews strongly advise continued membership and participation.
· Q: Can a scout working towards his/her top rank (ie: Eagle) continue to do so as a Venturer?A: Absolutely. If a scout so desires,(as long as he has achieved the rank of 1st Class with his troop) the scout can qualify for Eagle, through his Venturing Crew or through his troop (at the scout’s option)
Q: Can a youth participate in the BSA Merit Badge Program?A: YES, , since the BSA merit badge program is NOT a troop program, but, a district ./ council level program, all youth in a Venturing Crew can work on and achieve as many merit badges as a particular youth may want. (including attending Merit Badge College, etc..)
· Q: Can a Venturer participate in BSA youth leadership events such as YLT, Top Gun (NYLT), camp councilor training, Wilderness First Aid, etc..?A: YES!, A Venturer is also able to attend Venture specific high -level leadership challenge outings such as VLSC, KODIAK and KODIAK X. (These additional trainings look great on college applications)
Q: How can a Venturer satisfy leadership positions if he is working towards rank advancements?A: There are many leadership positions available at the Crew level.
I never liked scouts, WHY should I join Venturing?
A lot of youth join a boy scout or girl scout troop (or Indian Guides) (or start as a Cub Scout or Brownie) because they hear it will be fun to camp or they like arts and crafts, etc.. For the first few years, it may be true..
Youth soon find that (as they get older) the outings and events may become lame and boring ("we are going to that campground, that outing, etc.. AGAIN?") Soon, some youth are being "dragged" (sometimes - kicking and screaming) to a troop meeting because the parents have already paid for the year and "you WILL enjoy it. (and you WILL make (EAGLE or SILVER AWARD )".
Venturing is completely different! (YES, if you are at least a 1st class rank scout, you can (and should) continue to achieve EAGLE in a Venturing Crew) {and you can still be registered in a boyscout troop}, but there can be a huge difference -
YOU decide the outings and activities, you will no longer hear," All of you scouts will only work on these specific merit badges!", "You WILL go to (this same old boring) summer camp again this year, etc.." NOT in Venturing, YOU make the decisions.
"I don't like hanging with all these young, middle school, immature dudes (dudettes) " In Venturing, there are no young dudes (dudettes) that you have to hang with. You are all out of middle school (or almost).
Venturing is very flexible. A troop has to be structured because of the younger youth elements.
"Where are the babes (guys)!? I need to relate with the other sex!" A Venturing Crew may be Co-ed. OUR Venturing Crew has both guys and girls as active members.
An interesting factoid - Most members in a Venturing Crew are not even scouts...
Check out the Venturing program, invite your scout and non-scout friends to come along, you will be surprised!
If you ever have any questions, please contact me at genoiorio@gmail.com or 549-2993
WHY not join OUR CREW???
