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Venturing

Venturing. Scouting’s Next Step. BSA has steadily expanded the reach of its value-based programs. 1910 Boy Scouting 1912 Sea Scouting 1935 Cub Scouting 1950 Exploring for young men 14-20 who wanted senior Scouting

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Venturing

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  1. Venturing Scouting’s Next Step

  2. BSA has steadily expanded the reach of its value-based programs • 1910 Boy Scouting • 1912 Sea Scouting • 1935 Cub Scouting • 1950 Exploring for young men 14-20 who wanted senior Scouting • 1971 Coed Exploring- Young women ages 14-20 joined now more career oriented posts • 1991 Learning For Life - BSA Subsidiary • 1998 Venturing - Coed ages 14-20 - Outdoor oriented senior scouting

  3. National Venturing GrowthDecember 2001 vs 2000 UnitsYouth • Northeast Region 23.1% 12.2% • Southern Region 24.4% 12.3% • Central Region 19.7% 9.4% • Western Region 10.9% 6.2% • National 18.2% 9.1% • National since 1998 86.0% 52.7%

  4. 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.”

  5. 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 Venturing is…Thinking outside the box

  6. 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

  7. Here’s 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” • Venturing units are “Crews” • Venturing adults are “advisors” • Youth leader is the “president” • $7 membership fee - same chartering process

  8. 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 Character, Citizenship, FitnessThe aims of the BSA’s 3 Programs

  9. Venturing/Exploring VenturingExploring Application Rosters Members Participants Leadership Standards Leadership Standards determined by BSA determined by Participating Organization Oath and Code N one Advancement Awards and Recognition Hobby, religious, sports Career Outdoor based Education

  10. 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 Venture Patrol 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/Venture What’s the Difference?

  11. 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.

  12. 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.

  13. Venturing Support Items(no cost) • New Crew Sales Kit • Recruitment Posters • Sales Brochures • Fast Start (available on BSA website) • Venturing Highlights • Awards and Recognition brochure • Religious Resource Kit • Marketing Guide

  14. The following new literature is available at your Scout Shop • 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

  15. Venturing Videos 1. Selling Venturing to the Head of an Organization 2. Briefing the Organizing Committee 3. New Crew Fast Start 4. Venturing For Scoutmasters 5. Venturing Professional Orientation • Venturing For Religious Youth Groups • Sea Scouts: Chart a Course for Life

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

  17. Venturing Training • Faststart • New Leader Essentials • Venturing Adult Leader Basic Training • Powder Horn (High adventure resourse management training now in councils.)

  18. Venturing Recognition • National Venturing Leadership Award for youth and adults- 3 levels • Venturing Advisor Award of Merit

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

  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. 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 Ranger Electives(Must earn 4 of 18)

  23. Do Venturers Use the Ranger Guidebook “ I just returned from Philmont with a co-ed Venturing crew. Before leaving, I presented each member of the crew with a Ranger Guidebook. We reviewed the requirements briefly. Quite frankly, I expected to see them stuff the book in their carry-on bags, never to be seen again. I couldn’t have been more wrong. All the way across the country (Chicago to Raton by train) there was a constant barrage of questions being fired at me. Once we reached Philmont it intensified. I had the same reaction from the Philmont Ranger Staff. The Ranger Guidebooks are worn and dog eared. In my 40 years of Scouting, I can’t remember ever seeing Scouts pick up and devour a program the way they seem to go after the Ranger award.” Richard Hewitt, Crew Advisor, Portage, Michigan

  24. Venturing’s GrowthWhere Is It Coming From? • Church youth groups that adopt the structure of Venturing to help strengthen their youth program. • Successful troops that adopt Venturing to meet the wants and needs of older boys-longer retention. • High School and college outdoor clubs that adopt Venturing to complement their program. • Independent groups that are organized from high school hobby interest surveys

  25. Chickasaw CouncilMemphis, Tennessee • June 30 - 306% growth in youth, 127% growth in units • Council sent two volunteers to Venturing Philmont courses to come back and sell Scoutmasters • Sales call to ROTC commander in Memphis • Organized 60 Venturing Crews with High School ROTC groups • They needed places to do Land Navigation, climbing and ropework • Council provided camping properties • Council created a ROTC Super Weekend at the nearby Naval Base Contact: Jeff Isaac 901-327-4193

  26. Baltimore Area CouncilBaltimore, Maryland • June 30 – 83% growth in youth, 69% growth in units • 1999 -Staff Retreat Focused on Venturing Appointed Council Staff Advisor • 2000- Successful Impact Event with Scoutmasters and Troop Committee Chairs • 2001- Successful Impact Event with Catholic Diocese Contact: Marc Richardson 410-338-1700

  27. Winnebago CouncilWaterloo, Iowa • June 30 – 572% growth in youth, 79% growth in units • Scout Executive appointed a 3-member Staff Venturing task force • Task force and volunteers attended Area Venturing conference • Council made a commitment to Venturing • Approached Churches and Hobby groups • Organized 12 events to help sell units • Promoted COPE course at camp Contact: Todd McGregor 319-234-2867

  28. Perceived Barriers to forming Venturing Crews • Survey results from 335 professionals (top four responses) • 70% Low Awareness • 56.6% Lack of Training/Knowledge • 54.5% Lack of Adult Leadership • 49.1% Potential Chartering organizations lack of understanding of the program

  29. VENTURING!! A Resource to Religious Organizations serving High School age Youth

  30. The BSA Smorgasbord to better serve high school-age youth • Use of retreat facilities for team building and program • Literature to help with program planning • Awards and recognitions for youth and adults • Professional assistance with program planning, volunteer recruitment and finding resources • Five-hour extensive training for all adult leaders • Two-day Leadership Skills Course for all youth • Award-winning Youth Protection Video for youth • Youth Protection training for adults • Low-cost liability and accident insurance

  31. Venturing Crew Growth in Religious Organizations 1998199920002001 % growth since ’98 • Community Churches 18 43 94 124 589% • Methodist Episcopal 8 13 17 26 225% • Evangelical Churches 7 6 14 20 186% • Church of Christ 29 49 67 70 141% • Nazarene Churches 11 10 14 25 127% • Disciples of Christ 54 80 103 118 118% • Lutheran Churches 181 267 342 393 117% • Jewish Synagogues 10 14 18 21 110% • Presbyterian Churches 213 293 363 396 86% • Catholic Churches 420 550 675 781 86% • Baptist Churches 232 301 360 416 79% • Methodist Churches 614 810 959 1089 77% • United Church of Christ 63 71 98 111 76%

  32. Venturing Crews Chartered to Religious Organizations (non LDS)

  33. Venturing Provides Structure and Substance To a Church Youth Group • Venturing is flexible and can work with any existing youth program structure. • Venturing can help keep youth closer to the religious organization’s beliefs. • Venturing provides a package that can retain existing youth and recruit new ones. • The religious awards will help create an arena in which young adults can work closely with religious leaders.

  34. Collinsville, IllinoisTim Stark- Associate PastorSunlight Church • Non-Denominational Church • Organized Venturing crew with Master’s Commission Program made up of 18-25 year olds • These are college kids that participate in a one year program that teaches character, integrity and service • At the end of the program they spend six weeks on the road visiting other Churches. They make a visible impact of service. • 2000 annual plan includes a retreat at the local Scout facility for the COPE course and next summer to the Northern Tier High Adventure Base • Their goal is to organize a crew with the high school youth group in the church

  35. Des Arc, ArkansasMelvin York- PastorFirst Baptist Church • The High School youth group was organized in 1998 as a Venturing crew • The group has 15 boys and 15 girls • The youth have adopted a golf green shirt as a unform • They meet every Sunday night • Most of the youth have earned the Youth Ministries Bronze Award and the God and Life Award • Two recent Silver Award recipients • The Pastor conducted the Venturing Leadership Skills Course with the youth • The crew focuses on serving the community. Recently they helped organize a Tiger Cub Group • They have recently gone canoeing and horseback riding

  36. Rick Newton – Crew AdvisorTidewater, Florida • Crew 520 was started in May 1999 when St. Simon’s on the Sound Episcopal Church was looking for something to help them sustain a youth group. • We began with five youth. Last Tuesday we sent our re-charter package in with 30 kids names on it, all with paid up dues and excited about Venturing. Two more kids showed up at our last meeting with friends, liked what they saw, and took joining paperwork home to their parents. I have youth from 5 different High Schools. We are busting at the seams. • Seven of our kids just started their high school-age Pope Pius XII Religious Award. • These kids like showing up in “safe” places in their green polo shirts, sitting as a crowd, and getting recognized. • Our youth group has gone windsurfing, scuba diving, mountain biking and horseback riding • We have great youth officers, all Seniors in High School that are now training the sophomores and juniors to take their places.

  37. Erik Moeller – St. Vincent de Paul ParishArlington, Texas • May of 2000 created a Venturing crew at the Parish • It works as a subset of the existing high school-age youth group • We asked all the youth interested in outdoor activities if they wanted to be a part of an outdoor club • Our group is 50% male/female • Their favorite activity is the high and low ropes challenge courses

  38. Cascade Pacific CouncilPortland, Oregon • June 30 - 35% growth in youth, 18% growth inunits • Invited Pastors from inner-city community Churches to Scout Camp for Impact Event • 12 units organized from event • Council created field trips and quarterly events at council camps, they use COPE course • Pastors organized “Venturing for Faith” • Contact: Ralph Voelker 503-226-3423

  39. Venturing in Bible-based Churches = Great Potential • In a recent survey, 81% of Bible-based ministers said they have never seen a presentation on how Scouting can be used as a part of their youth ministry. • Less than four percent of Bible-based community Churches currently have Scouting units.

  40. Frequently Asked Questions ??? • How much ownership will my religious organization have if we start a Venturing crew with my high school age youth group? • What are the advantages of combining my religious organization’s youth group with Venturing? • How much does it cost to create a Venturing crew with my religious youth group? • Is a uniform required? • Where will we find leadership? • Will Venturing compete with my youth group? • How do we get started?

  41. Boy Scout Troops Venturing Crews

  42. Why Should a Troop Consider 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 Scoutmaster’s challenges. • It meets the wants and needs of 14 to 21 year old young men. • It provides a scouting program for daughters of scouting families.

  43. Scoutmaster Challenges • Keeping 14 to 18 year old Boy Scouts “engaged” in the troop. • Challenging older Boy Scouts, while at the same time, trying to attract and retain younger Boy Scouts. • Competing with older Boy Scouts’ interests; cars, girls, high school. • Providing leadership/role model opportunities to all older Boy Scouts. • Giving younger Boy Scouts something to anticipate beyond the troop • Consistently offering exciting program.

  44. National BSA Statistics • Average Boy Scout is 14 years and 1 month old • Average Eagle Scout is 16 years and 2 months old • Average Boy Scout attendance at summer camp is 2.8 years

  45. Ages of VenturersYear 2001

  46. Male Venturers May ContinueTo 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.

  47. New advancement opportunities for boys interested in progressing beyond Eagle. New, exciting 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. Venturers give leadership to the troop through the Ranger program, etc. What Does Venturing Offer Older Boy Scouts In Your Troop?

  48. Venturing’s Teaching PhilosophyFour Levels of Learning • Level I - You read it. • Level II - Someone teaches it to you. • Level III - You experience it. • Level IV - You teach it to someone else. We retain 85% of what we learn when we teach it to someone else. Venturing advancement requires Level IV.

  49. 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 with the troop and many on their own. • Venturers in the troop, (especially troop leaders) are expected to participate in both units. • Venturers teach and provide program.

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