1. 2014 Program Changes - Venturing
Rick Cordray
VP for Venturing
Chief Seattle Council
(adapted from material from the
2014 National Annual Meeting)
PRESENTERS: THERE ARE TWO APPROACHES TO THIS CONTENT DEPENDING ON THE AUDIENCE –
FOR THOSE LOOKING ONLY FOR THE SUMMARY: SLIDES 2, 16, 17, 22, 23
FOR THOSE LOOKING FOR INCREASED DEPTH: ALL SLIDES (NOTE THERE IS STILL AN OPTION ON HOW TO HANDLE SLIDES 8-15)
October 2014

2. Why a National Task Force – Different Timing?
Launch May 2015
Venturing Membership
National Task Force
Accelerated
Timeline
The 2011 National Council Strategic Plan sets out a goal (numbered as 411) that says we have assessed our programs and modified them to make them more dynamic and relevant to today’s youth and families. Venturing is one of those programs which fall under this goal’s scope.
The project plan for Goal 411 is to realize the changes associated with Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts by May 2015 due to complexity and impact, particularly in Cub Scouts.
Initial assessment of Venturing’s situation, however, suggested that a faster timeline, if possible, was appropriate. The two key factors were a declining trend in membership beginning in 2009, and a low level of earning of any of the Venturing awards.
The importance of addressing the membership trend is, of course, well understood within the context of the Main Thing
The awards information addresses the other side of the Main Thing, quality program. While there are many who would assert that “Venturers don’t care about awards”, at this time advancement is one of our trailing indicators of quality program. So low engagement is a cause for concern.
More on this later. …
0.7% Earned
1:12,000 Youth

3. Membership
Venturing Membership

4. Program …
0.7% Earned
1:12,000 Youth

5. Program Revision Process
Launch
Production
Development
Design
Assessment
Mission & Aims
Youth Wants
Youth Needs
Realizing the Design
Communications
All three programs are following the same conceptual model to manage the process – and initial assessment phase followed by a design phase in which the future program direction is established.
In the case of Venturing the assessment and design phase, in addition to membership and recognition trends looked at the how Venturing might better instill the mission and aims of the Boy Scouts of America in Venturing youth, what at the program needed to look like to appeal to youth in the hear and now, and what longer term needs Venturing youth have that the BSA might help fulfill or develop.
The development and production phases are where the concepts of the design are turned into youth handbooks, leader aids, training, etc. And of course, the launch phase is the communications and roll out plan to support all levels of the organization.
Today’s year olds are a unique group, full of hopes and dreams, worries and expectations. For them the wants are now, the needs less present. The following slides provide an overview of the drivers of the program design being rolled out today.

6. And They Are Right To Worry
Wants or Needs?
Grades (75%)
Preparation Beyond HS (66%)
Money (56%)
Depression/Suicide (43%)
Bullying(33%)
Youth fears and concerns.3
Experience New Things (68%)
Hang Out w/ Friends (67%)
Help w/ Future Activities (55%)
Leadership Opportunities (29%)
Earn Awards/Recognition (25%)
What youth tell us the want in after school program.1
1Venturing Youth Study 2009, 2Pew Research Center 2012, 3stagesoflife.com 2013, 4College Board (‘73 vs. ‘13) 2013, 5Mother Jones, US Census 2013
Fact – Employment
54% among (record low)
82% think it harder to find than parents
Fact – College Costs
Tuition 11X for public, 12X for private4
75% think it harder to pay than parents
Fact – Debt
4X increase in young adult debt vs ‘055
16% delinquent 90 days +5
And They Are Right To Worry
Teen depression, bullying, etc. etc.
Needs or Wants? Hopes or Worries? Today’s year old lives in a world vastly more complicated and worrisome than their parents.
Research done in 2009 by the BSA identified what youth want in an after school program. Not surprisingly, they want to try new things and they want to hang out with their friends. Most of us with this age children could have attested to that. However, they are also looking for help preparing them for their futures and for opportunities to lead. These you tell us they don’t look to an after school program for awards and recognition and YET
ADVANCE SLIDE
75% are worried about their grades and two-thirds are concerned about being prepared for life beyond high school. And they are worried about having enough money – for college, to live on.
Are they right to worry about their futures? You bet. Look at these statistics about employment, college cost and dept. 82% and 75% think it will be harder to get a job and pay for college than it was for their parents. And when they do, they will rack up huge debts. (READ IF DESIRED).

7. 61% supported a cause in the past 30 days
And Yet … Hope Abounds!
90% believe they will one day have their ideal job
But 84% will postpone to make a difference in the world
61% supported a cause in the past 30 days
Allstate/Junior Achievement 2013
Youth Beat 2013
54% better to be a teen now
45% feel they will be better off than their parents
And yet, hope abounds! Today’s teens think they will have a better job but are willing to put it off to make a difference in the world. They want to serve, and they do – 61% provided some form of service in the past 30 days.
Despite all the obstacles of society today, most feel it is better to be a teen today than in their parent’s time and almost a majority think they will be better off than their parents, not a great number but teens are still looking up
Allstate/National Journal 2013

8. Venturing’s Challenge
Deliver the fun and peer engagement!
Create the opportunity for leadership!
Harness the optimism!
Set the table for their future!
The NEW Venturing Program Model
Adventure – Leadership – Service - Personal Growth
So there is the challenge for the new Venturing program – READ BULLET POINTS
The task force took the challenge and the new Venturing program is designed around four content areas – Adventure, Leadership, Service and Personal Growth. In the following slides, we will dig in further on the rational and outcomes from each of these and then talk about the recognition/award levels built into the program.
PRESENTERS: EVALUATE YOUR AUDIENCE. SLIDES 8-16 TAKE A PILIAR (THE FOUR ABOVE) BY PILLAR AND THEN A AWARD LEVEL BY AWARD LEVEL APPROACH TO EXPLAINING THE PROGRAM. THIS WILL BE APPROPRIATE FOR MANY AUDIENCES. SLIDE 17 CAN BE USED AS A SUMMARY SLIDE FOR THOSE AUDIENCES LESS INTERESTED IN HOW THE PROGRAM REALLY WORKS.

9. Program Change Summary
What IS Changing:
Oath & Law
NEW core Venturing program & recognition
New resources:
Youth handbook (core)
Ranger/Trust/Quest combined
Adult leader handbook
Enhanced youth training
Split advisor vs. committee training
Governance
What’s NOT Changing:
Ages of membership
Ranger/Trust/Quest
Officer/Advisor relationship

10. NEW Venturing Program – The ALPS Model
4 Program Areas or Pillars
Alignment with BSA mission
Sensitivity to youth wants
Maintains peer involvement
Based on foundation of adventure
Respect for their future needs
Progressive increase in challenge and effort
4 Levels – Progressive Effort
PRESENTERS: THIS IS A BUILD SLIDE THAT REQUIRES PRACTICE TO IMPLEMENT SMOOTHLY!
Overall, there are four primary principles inherent in the new program design:
Maintain and build alignment with the mission and aims of the Boy Scouts of America. This is what we pledge to every youth in our program and what our charter calls us to accomplish.
Be sensitive to you wants – peer involvement, fun and adventure – doing new things
Be respectful of their futures – understand that they will have lives after Venturing, they are worried about them and our program can help them prepare for their futures.
Offer a progressive, thought out increase in challenge and effort as a Venturer moves thru the program.
To accomplish this the new Venturing program is built around four program areas just outlined – Adventure, Leadership, Service and Personal Growth and four levels of progressive effort leading to the capstone award.

11. Program Areas - Adventure
Purpose: New experiences which push Venturers to new personal heights
Insight: Adventures and activities provide the social benefits youth crave at this point of development
Level of difficulty: Variable; may be tailored to crew skills and experience
Individual and crew-defined
Historic appeal of Venturing
Adventure
PRESENTERS: WORK FROM BULLET POINTS ON SCREEN

12. Program Areas- Leadership
Purpose: Develop broad interpersonal leadership skills applicable to life situations
Insight: Societal expectations of leadership qualities as desirable are growing—especially among youth’s life influencers
Level of Difficulty: Escalating: Participate/follow, lead, mentor
Leverages formal training and practical experience (elected or appointed)
Adventure
Leadership
PRESENTERS: WORK FROM BULLET POINTS ON SCREEN

13. Program Areas – Personal Growth
Purpose: Growth in the skills and ethical/moral foundations which support economic independence, life-long learning, and timeless values.
Insight: Social/educational influences provide little positive guidance on key life, social and moral/ethical skills. And youth know it.
Focus is on goal development and personal planning.
Small formal “trainings” facilitate practical application.
Adult mentorship is critical.
Adventure
Leadership
Personal Growth
PRESENTERS: WORK FROM BULLET POINTS ON SCREEN

14. Program Areas -- Service
Adventure
Leadership
Service
Purpose: Develop behavior leading to ongoing sense of responsibility
Insight: Youth have limited control of their lives. They enjoy the opportunity to assert their values through the choice to serve.
Crew or individual
Scouting and/or community focus
PRESENTERS: WORK FROM BULLET POINTS ON SCREEN

15. Program Levels (Awards)
Four awards, progressive in nature,
Venturing Award
The first step in any journey is the courage to begin. At this level, the new crew member makes their commitment to join and move forward into the experience of Venturing.
Discovery Award
The adventure of participating with the crew unfolds, and each Venturer begins to discover his or her interests and talents. As the Discovery Award recipients develop new skills and competencies, their eyes are opened and the world expands for them.
Pathfinder Award
The Venturer’s capabilities and skills expand and with them come increased responsibility for defining their own way forward in life, service to others and formal planning and leadership of the crew toward its goals.
Summit Award
The highest award of Venturing, the Summit Award, goes to those Venturers who have matured in their personal direction, skills, and life competencies, and who have accepted the responsibility to mentor others and serve their communities in a lasting way.

16. Program Levels Joining level Initial participation
Adventure
Leadership
Personal Growth
Service
Summit
Pathfinder
Discovery
Venturing Award
Joining level
Initial participation
Commit to crew and ideals
Induction into crew
PRESENTERS: WORK FROM BULLET POINTS ON SCREEN

17. Venturing Program Matrix
Full participant, developing core skills
Active in crew adventures and activities
Introduction to leadership (training and practice)
Participation in crew or individual service
Goal setting and personal management training
Adventure
Leadership
Personal Growth
Service
Summit
Pathfinder
Discovery
Venturing Award
PRESENTERS: WORK FROM BULLET POINTS ON SCREEN

18. Program Levels
Emerging leadership, challenging skills and activity level
Elected or appointed leadership role including advanced training
Participating in activity and service planning
Goal development, planning, and pursuit
Adventure
Leadership
Personal Growth
Service
Summit
Pathfinder
Discovery
Venturing Award
PRESENTERS: WORK FROM BULLET POINTS ON SCREEN

19. Venturing Program Matrix
Adventure
Leadership
Personal Growth
Service
Summit
Pathfinder
Discovery
Venturing Award
Fully realized skills and leadership
Focus is:
Mentorship of other crew members
Capstone service project
Goal approach: Longer horizon, larger life impact
PRESENTERS: WORK FROM BULLET POINTS ON SCREEN

20. Venturing Program Matrix
Adventure
Leadership
Personal Growth
Service
Venturing
Detailed requirements written
Vetted and approved by Advancement and Program Content Committees
Handbook/Leader Guide developed
Summit
Pathfinder
PRESENTERS: THIS MAY BE USED EITHER AS A WRAP-UP FOR A DETAILED PRESENTATION OR AS THE SUMMARY SLIDE FOR THE NON-DETAILED VERSION OUTLINED ON THE NOTES TO THE TITLE SLIDE.
Discovery
Venturing

21. Awards Transition Plan
Initial
Announcement
5/2013
New Program
Launched
5/14
Current Awards
Discontinued
12/31/14
Current
New
New Awards
Summit
Pathfinder
Discovery
Venturing
Current Awards
Silver
Gold
Bronze
The coming of a new program and award system was announced in May 2013 at National Annual Meeting. That announcement was followed-up with announcements on Bryan’s Blog and via scouting.org so hopefully your Venturing crews who are engaged in the current awards are working diligently to earn them.
In May of 2014, the final requirements for the new awards will be released as will the Venturing Handbook and other supporting materials. Current Venturers MAY continue to work on the current Bronze, Gold and Silver awards until 12/31/ Venturers MAY work on the new awards beginning with the requirements release in May So, there are about seven months when Venturers may work on either set of awards, or both.
Effective January 1s, 2015t, current awards will be discontinued (although Venturers may continue to wear their earned award devices) and Venturers may only earn the new awards beginning with the Level II award (all current Venturers have earned the Level I award by virtue of their current membership and participation).
After January 1st, 2015 all youth joining Venturing may only earn the new awards.
May continue working on current awards until 12/31/2014
May convert to new awards after 5/2014, must begin with Discovery regardless of current awards earned
Must utilize the new awards requirements after 12/31/2014
May convert to new awards after 5/2014
Beginning with the Discovery for current Venturers
Beginning with Venturing for new Venturers
Must utilize the new awards requirements after 12/31/2014

22. Youth Training Crew Officer’s Orientation
Introduction to Leadership Skills for Crews (ILSC)
ILSC is being updated to remove the program neutral content and is being tailored to the specific needs and program of the Venturing Crew. Once completed, the youth member may wear the trained strip.

23. Youth Experiences (Training) – Supporting the Program Matrix
Adventure
Leadership
Service
Personal Growth
Mentoring Others
Resumes, Vitas & Applications
Personal Interviews
Project Management
Time Management
Goal Setting
Conducting a Personal Reflection
With a progressive approach to skill building and leadership comes a need for a progressive approach to gaining knowledge of new concepts and preparing for practical application. The new program requirements outline a number of learning experience, currently under development, to facilitate the Venturer’s preparation and success.
The titles above outline some of these new experiences.

24. Venturing Youth Protection Training
Crew Committee Challenge
Making sure our adult leaders have the knowledge of “how to do their job” is critical. We need to quickly and effectively provide the right tools to each leader working within Venturing. For this reason we are separating and targeting our training curriculum by developing a new syllabus specifically for members of the Crew Committee. In addition, changes are being made to the VLST syllabus, which will provide direct and succinct education on what it takes to be a successful adult Venturing leader.

25. Venturing Governance National Venturing Committee
National Venturing Key
National
Venturing
Advisor
National Venturing President (Youth)
National Venturing Chair
National Venturing Staff Advisor
Regional Venturing Chairs (4)
Members at Large

26. Questions?
Evaluation Code = QMN