How will you lead the adventure?

Find a Crew

 

 

Venturing is an inclusive program through the Boy Scouts of America for males and females aged 14-21 (or 13 and completed the 8th grade). It's operated through Venturing Crews, units of youth and advisors that meet on set schedules and plan activities and events for youth like you! To find a crew near you and join the fun, visit "Be A Scout"!

 

Learn some fast facts about Venturing!

The Venturing program aims to enable young adults to:

• Experience a program that is fun and full of challenge and adventure.
• Acquire skills in the area of their crew's specialty.
• Become a skilled training and program resource for other youth groups.
• Experience positive leadership from adult and youth leaders and be given opportunities to take on leadership roles.
• Learn to make ethical choices throughout their lives by instilling the values of the Scout Oath and Law.
• Have a chance to learn and grow in a supportive, caring, and fun environment.

 

 

The Venturing program emphasizes four main areas known as the A-L-P-S model:

• Adventure - Mentoring, leading, and participating in crew-led adventures.
• Leadership - Ongoing leadership development through training, mentoring, and hands-on leadership.
• Personal Growth - Goal-setting in support of personal growth.
• Service - Leading and participating in community service.

 

 

 

The Boy Scouts of America aims to build character, develop citizenship and foster personal fitness. The Venturing program uses the components listed below to meet our needs and the goals of the Boy Scouts of America:

 

• Leadership and Mentoring - Venturers are given opportunities to learn and apply proven leadership skills. A Venturing crew is led by youth officers. Training courses, such as the Introduction to Leadership Skills for Crews, uses experiential learning to teach Venturers how to lead effectively. Once Venturers have led several activities, they are asked to then mentor the other leaders in their crew.

 

• Group Activities and Adventure - Venturers work with teams on everything they do. Their success is dependent on the interaction and cooperation of all, preparing Venturers for their future careers and paths.

 

• Recognition - Venturing includes an optional awards program that acknowledges and recognizes our youth for their progress through Venturing's four main areas of emphasis (ALPS).

 

• Adult Association - Adults serve to advise the youth as they plan events and make decisions, while ensuring the program remains youth-inspired and youth-led. This partnership provides our youth with essential connections and lessons that will prove useful in their future paths.

 

• Ideals - Venturers are expected to know and live by the Scout Oath and Law, ideals of Scouting created to inspire a culture of servant leadership, both inside and outside of Venturing.

 

• Group Identity - Venturers are not asked to conform to a set uniform. Instead, they have the opportunity to create their own standards for attire at their events and meetings, as they see fit.

 

• Service - Venturers serve their local and distant communities through personal and group service as the crew plans activities and individuals make progress through the Venturing awards program.

 

Health and Safety

A youth's Health and Safety, is always an important part of the scouting program, the BSA has implemented a comprehensive program to protect youth. The beginning of every scout handbook is a pull-out pamphlet that the parents and scouts should review.  Every registered leader receives a background check and is required to take and renew Youth Protection Training. 

For details on No One on One Contact and Two Deep Leadership review the BSA's Youth Protection at this link.

 

Special Needs & Assistance

Youth with physical disabilities and youth and adults with developmental or cognitive challenges are welcome in the Boy Scouts of America. Various accommodations exist to facilitate advancement. These youth do not need to join a special unit oriented to serving members with disabilities, although those exist and may be beneficial in some cases. The severity of disability will indicate how members should be registered.

When knowledgeable parents, guardians, or volunteers are able to provide assistance and oversight, most anyone can be a member. While leaders should be enthusiastic about helping those with special needs, they should also recognize the demands that will be placed on their patience, understanding, and skill in working on advancement.