1. Introduction to Venturing Commissioner Science
BCS 121
we must deliver the excitement.

2. BSA Expanded Value-Based Programs
1910 Boy Scouting
1912 Sea Scouting
1935 Cub Scouting
1950 Exploring for young men who wanted senior Scouting
1971 Coed Exploring- Young women ages joined now more career oriented posts
1991 Learning For Life - BSA Subsidiary
1998 Venturing - Coed ages –
Outdoor oriented senior scouting

3. Venturing
Scouting’s Next Step

4. 14 to 18 Year Old Boys Want:
A sense of belonging and acceptance from their peer group, inclusion in a “gang.”
Challenging physical activities with boys their own age.
To explore and experience their world.
Recognition of their “older” status.
Control of their environment.
Activities with girls.
Independence.

5. 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.

6. Girls just want to have fun…
Female Venturers successfully participate in all high adventure activities
(60 mile bike rides, backpacking, Mile Swim, and winter snowboarding).
Venturers, male and female, can assist the Troop’s Leadership Corps in preparing and teaching the younger boys.
The Crew provides older scouts
(who otherwise become disinterested - age of driving and dating)
Program retains their interest by allowing them to pursue higher adventure with female peers and friends.
Co-education fosters mature, responsible and respectful relationships.
(Sheryl) Venturing is marketed as a coed program. And it works.. All over the country, Boy Scout leaders are surprised to discover that teenage girls and boys work very well together.
One advisor in California puts it this way:
(read testimonial)

7. What is Venturing? “It’s not a box or a package we present.”
“It is focused resources designed to help a community organization provide wholesome, flexible, well-rounded, challenging activities, tailor-made for teenage youth.”

8. Venturing is… Thinking Outside the Box
Joe Q. Public’s view
Uniforms
Boys only
Compass and campfires
Old Fashioned
Paradigm shift
No Required uniform
Coed (fastest growing program)
Global Positioning System and Leave No Trace
Cutting Edge in Youth Protection

9. Why is Venturing Growing?
Aggressive promotion Nation-wide
Lots of unplowed ground (potential)
Targeted Resources for New Unit Growth
Tailor-made for teenagers
Coed program
No required uniform
Extreme sports and outdoor activities

10. Here’s Venturing BSA young adult program for men and women
age 14 (who have completed the 8th grade) through 20.
Youth member is a “Venturer”
Venturing units are “Crews”
Venturing adults are “Advisors”
Youth leader is the “President”
Chartering process the same

11. The Aims of the BSA’s 3 Programs Character, Citizenship, Fitness
Boy Scout Methods
Patrol Method
Adult Association
Leadership
Scouting Ideals
Outdoors
Advancement
Personal Growth
Uniform
Venturing Methods
Group Activities
Adult Association
Leadership
Scouting Ideals
High Adventure
Recognition
Teaching Others
Uniform optional

12. Venturing / Exploring Venturing Exploring Application Rosters
Members Participants
Leadership Standards Leadership Standards
determined by BSA determined by Participating Organization
Oath and Code None
Advancement Awards and Recognition
Hobby, religious, sports Career
Outdoor based Education

13. Venture Patrol / Venture – What’s the Difference?
Optional patrol of a troop
Male only
Ages 13-17
Boy Scout advancement
only
Venture Patrol Leader,
Assistant Patrol Leader
Good transition to Venturing
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

14. Does Venturing Have a Required Uniform?
The recommended uniform is the spruce green Venturing shirt with green epaulette tabs and gray backpacking-style shorts or gray casual pants.
However, the uniform, if any, is the choice of the crew.

15. 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.

16. Venturing Resources Available at Scout Shops
Venturing Leader Manual
Ranger Guidebook
Venturer Handbook
Venturing Leadership Skills Course
Venturing Roundtable Guide
Here’s Venturing - Operations Guide
Recognition Certificates and Awards
Venturing Advancement Chart
Venturing Leader Specific Training
Sea Scout Manual

17. Youth Protection Videos
Youth Protection - Personal Safety Awareness (for Youth)
Youth Protection Training for Adult Venturing Leaders

18. Venturing Adult Training
Youth Protection Training for Adult Venturing Leaders
Venture Leader Specific Training
Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills

19. Venturing Recognition
Silver
Award
Eagle
Quartermaster
Ranger Gold
Award Award
Life
Outdoor Youth Sports Arts and Sea
Bronze Ministries Bronze Hobbies Scout
Bronze Bronze Bronze
Star
Previous
1st Class Boy Scout or
Varsity Scout

20. The Ranger Program Rangers are elite outdoorsmen
Ranger are required to teach what they’ve
learned to others - KEY!!!!
Rangers work with their advisor and consultants

21. Ranger Core Requirements
1. Standard First Aid plus When Help is Delayed
2. Communications
3. Cooking
4. Emergency Preparedness
5. Land Navigation
6. Leave No Trace
7. Wilderness Survival
8. Conservation

22. 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
Watercraft
Winter Sports

23. 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.
If registered in both the troop and crew, can receive multiple credit for many Bronze, Gold, Silver and Ranger requirements.
May use crew leadership positions and participation.

24. Crew Testament
“My crew … honestly tell you … the best experiences of my life.
… sister of a Star Scout … surrounded by Scouting’s morals and values
first campout … 10 degrees … learned to pack for winter camping.
In June … our first ten mile canoe trip, we had a blast.
Outdoor activities have taught us how important it is to work together
if one person is not working to their ability, the crew can’t work to it’s potential.
The COPE experience was THE bonding experience of my life I was high for days.
We’re all now motivated
to work as hard as possible in everything we do,
in Venturing, at home or in school.”

25. Comments ?
Questions?