Commissioner Orientation Training

Reminder to instructors: Check the notes pages for additional text to support the presentation This is a “hidden slide” and will not show in the presentation.

The purpose of Venturing is the same as that of the Boy Scouts of America: character development, citizenship training and fitness. We prepare young people to make ethical choices by instilling the values of the Scout Oath and Law. Purpose of Venturing

The Venturing Oath As a Venturer, I promise to do my duty to God and help strengthen America, to help others, and to seek truth, fairness, and adventure in our world.

Venturing Code As a Venturer, I believe that America’s strength lies in our trust in God and in the courage, strength, and traditions of our people. I will, therefore, be faithful in my religious duties and will maintain a personal sense of honor in my own life. I will treasure my American heritage and will do all I can to preserve and enrich it. I will recognize the dignity and worth of all humanity and will use fair play and goodwill in my daily life. I will acquire the Venturing attitude that seeks the truth in all things and adventure on the frontiers of our changing world.

What is Venturing? Venturing is a youth development program of the Boy Scouts of America for young men and women who are at least 14 years old (and have completed the eighth grade) through 20 years of age. 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 Crew Youth led organization Based on program inventory –Recruits –Elects officer –Plans programs Adult Advisors provide training and guidance for crew’s elected officers

BSA Council The Boy Scouts of America recruits adult volunteers and assigns staff members to provide the following services for Venturing chartered organization’s crews.

Leadership training for Advisors and elected officers Guidance on how to organize a crew or ship and keep the program going successfully Methods for recruiting Venturers, including an interest survey of local high school students. Regular communication with each crew to provide program support Commitment

Use of council facilities, such as camps and equipment Planning Venturing activities that enrich the crew’s program Securing liability insurance coverage

Venturing Methods Adult association Leadership Recognition Ideals Group activities High adventure Teaching others

The Advisor The Advisor’s responsibilities include: Fostering a sense of community within the crew Helping youth lead, plan, make decisions, and carry out a long term program of activities Encourage participation and support for your crew Uphold standards and policies of sponsoring organization and the Boy Scouts of America

The Advisor Protect young people in your Venturing crew from abuse or neglect and uphold the standards of the BSA Youth Protection emphasis Ensure the activities are conducted within safety guidelines and requirements Cultivate the Venturing spirit within your crew

Youth Protection “Youth Protection Guidelines” in the Advisor’s section of the Venturing Leader Manual lists several considerations that the Venturing leader must remember

Youth Protection Guidelines Two deep leadership on all trips and outings (2 adults) No one-on-one contact with Venturers (other Venturers or Advisors must be present) Respect privacy of the Venturers Separate accommodations for Advisors and Venturers and for males and females on overnight trips Proper preparation for high-adventure activities (anything with an element of risk)

Youth Protection Guidelines No secret organizations Appropriate attire Constructive discipline Hazing and initiation activities prohibited Junior leader training and supervision

You might think that Venturing is specialty information, learning leadership skills, a community service, or a good social experience. Venturing is all of these things and more, but the primary purpose is “forming responsible and caring adults”.

Adolescent Development Issues Important development issues facing Venturers Experimentation Movement from dependence to interdependence Social relationships Physiological changes and sexual maturity Reevaluation of values

What Venturers Need Participation and experimentation Make choices Care about others Enjoyment of life New skills Opportunities for reflection Respect Acceptance Role models Problem-solving skills To be listened to

How Venturing Supports These Needs Opportunities to try leadership roles, responsibilities, and experiences Real and meaningful experiences Fun and enjoyable experiences New personal skills An emphasis on caring about others

“As teachers, neighbors, youth leaders, bosses or Venturing Advisors we can recognize the moments we have in common with the young, and can be a negative or positive influence. The moments will come. How we choose to use them is up to us.”

Crew Organization and Leadership When an organization agrees to be a sponsor in Venturing, it agrees to recruit adult leaders; an Advisor, one or more associate Advisors, and a crew committee. These leaders must be adult men and women at least 21 years of age, who will guide the crew.

Crew Committee Advisor Associate Advisor Administration Associate Advisor Program Sponsoring Organization Consultants President Vice President Administration Vice President Program Treasurer Committee Chair Secretary Activity Chairs Venturing Crew Organization

ADULT LEADERS Advisor Associate Advisors Crew Committee Consultants

Elected Post Officers President Vice Presidents Secretary Treasurer Activity Chairs (appointed)

Adult - Venturer Teams The elected Venturer officers work hand-in-hand with the adult Advisors and committee members. Activity chairs work with adult consultants (from crew committee, parents or other qualified adults) Cooperation and teamwork between adults and young adults are essential to the success of Venturing

Program Capability Inventory (PCI) Conducted by the crew committee and adult Advisors. Every adult (or Venturer) who can help the crew is surveyed: Profession Hobbies Contacts Equipment access Skills Inventory is the basic resource pool for crew activities

Activity Interest Survey This questionnaire is taken by the Venturers. Provides information on what activities the Venturers are interested in doing. Should contain possible activities over all of the program emphasis areas. Provides the officers information on the Venturers’ interests.

Select Venturer Activity Chairs and Adult Consultants An interested and capable Venturer is appointed to serve as chair for each activity Assisted by an adult consultant from the PCI who has knowledge about the particular activity. Team manages the planning, development and execution of the activity.

Program Planning Process Follow-up is vital! Assume nothing. At your monthly officer and crew committee meetings check on the status of the program development.

Program Planning Summary Program Capability Inventory Venturer Activity Interest Survey Brainstorm activities Match activity interests with resources Fill in the gaps Schedule the activities Select activity chairs and consultants Follow-up

Forms - Forms - Forms Your program activities will require the use of several forms. Parents permission slip (overnight activities) BSA Money Earning Application BSA Local and National Tour Permits (Other permits as activity situation dictates) Flying Permit Application Adult and youth registration forms

Open House Annual recruiting open-house Shows your crew to prospective members and gets them to join Prospects are invited by letter or personal invitation Council does interest surveys of high schools Open house should be held early in the fall The Venturing Leader Manual has a detailed agenda for the open house.

Activity Interest Survey Determine the interests of crew members Primary job of Vice President Program

Superactivity Program year highlight Major project or trip requiring extensive planning and preparation Will generate publicity and interest in your crew Venturing Leader Manual has a how-to guide for planning a Superactivity

Venturing Awards

Venturing Recognitions Bronze Gold Silver Ranger – outdoor skills Quest – sports skills Sea Scout Quartermaster

Recognition Map Previous Boy Scout or Varsity Scout JOIN Venturing Outdoor Religious Arts and Sports Sea Bronze Life Hobbies Bronze Scout Bronze Bronze Bronze Bronze Bronze Bronze Ranger Gold Award Award Silver Silver Quarter- Award Award master Award QuestAward

Eagle Scout Eligibility remains the same u Eligibility remains the same uFirst Class Scout uEarned as a Boy Scout or Varsity Scout u Requirements remain the same uLeadership position in the crew

Bronze Awards uSports uReligious Life uArts and Hobbies uOutdoor uSea Scout

Religious Life Requirements Do nine of the eleven projects: u Earn religious award u Learn about cultural diversity u Plan and lead a service project u Volunteer in church for three months u Go on a religious retreat u Be in a religious play u Serve as an officer of your Sunday School u Complete a Standard First Aid class u Do five Ethical Controversies activities u Sunday School teacher u Meet with church leader

Gold Award u One Bronze Award u12 months tenure u Leadership role u Participate in a district (or higher) event u Personal growth in six experience areas u Lead two crew activity projects u Recite Venturing Oath u Three letters of recommendation u Crew review

Silver Award One Bronze Award u One Bronze Award Gold Award u Gold Award u Emergency Preparedness (First Aid, CPR, Safe Swim Defense) u Demonstrate leadership uIncluding Venturing Leadership Skills Course u Participate in Ethics in Action u Crew review

Quartermaster Award u For Sea Scouts u See the Sea Scout Manual, Ch. 3

Ranger Award Eight core requirements u Eight core requirements u Four of 18 elective requirements u Demonstrate high degree of outdoor proficiency outdoor proficiency u Resource for Venturers and Scouts u Venturers can work up to the requirements requirements

Quest Award Core requirements 1. Sports Bronze Award 2. Sport Safety Training 3. Fitness for Life 4. Fitness assessment 5. Sport disciplines One elective 1. History / heritage sports 2. Sports nutrition 3. Drug-free sport 4. Communications 5. History / heritage of disabled sports movement

RELIGIOUS LIFE BRONZE OUTDOOR BRONZEGOLD AWARD JanReligious Award Study (1) Ethics in Action(9) FebCooking* BDAC Rendezvous MarCultural Diversity (2) Ethics in Action AprFirst Aid* (8) MayService Project (3)Ethics in Action JunReligious Play (6)Leadership Skills JulBackpacking Swimming & SSD AugWilderness Survival* Ethics in Action SepReligious Retreat (5) OctReligious Leader Meeting (11)Ethics in Action RELIGIOUS LIFE BRONZE NovEmergency Preparedness* Leadership Skills DecWinter Sports Ethics in Action OUTDOOR BRONZE GOLD AWARD Religious Life Religious Life Program

OUTDOOR BRONZE RANGER AWARDGOLD AWARD JanFirst Aid*Ethics in Action FebCooking* BDAC Rendezvous MarLand Navigation* AprBackpackingEthics in Action MayLeave No Trace*Leaderships Skills JunWilderness Survival* JulMountaineeringSwimming & SSD OUTDOOR BRONZE AugEmergency Preparedness* SepCommunications*Ethics in Action OctProject COPE NovConservation*Leadership Skills DecWinter SportsEthics in Action RANGER AWARDGOLD AWARD OutdoorRanger Outdoor/Ranger Program

Recognition Map Previous Boy Scout or Varsity Scout JOIN Venturing Outdoor Religious Arts and Sports Sea Bronze Life Hobbies Bronze Scout Bronze Bronze Bronze Bronze Bronze Bronze Ranger Gold Award Award Silver Silver Quarter- Award Award master Award QuestAward

VENTURING TRAINING Venturing Leader Specific Training Officers’ Seminar Yearly Venturing Program Planning Conference Venturing Leader Roundtable / Quarterly Advisors’ Meetings Venturer Leadership Skills Course Venturing Leader Outdoor Skills Training

Venturing Awards LEADERSHIP AWARD Presented by Councils/Regions and National Council to Venturers and adults who have made exceptional contributions to Venturing ADVISOR AWARD of MERIT Recognizes Advisor / Skipper for outstanding ability to work with youth. Nominated by crew president and committee chairman

Adult Training Awards Scouter’s Key (Advisor) –Fast Start and Basic training –Three years tenure, seminars, VLSC –Quality Unit, parents night –Roundtable attendance Training Award (Venturing) –Basic training –Two years tenure –Seven of 11 projects –Sea Scout leaders meet Skipper’s needs

SUPPLEMENTAL ACTIVITIES & HELPS Ethics forums and controversies Venturing activities Other Venturing crews Venturing literature Venturing Leader Manual Venturer / Ranger Handbook Quest Handbook Venturing Reference Guide to Safe Scouting Venturing Advisor Fast Start

QUESTIONS June 2002 GHC