Understanding the Venturing Program

1. VEN 107.ppt Understanding the Venturing Program Jeremy J. Kuhar jeolin@hotmail.com www.venturing-nepa.com

2. My Audience • I assume an audience that… • …has heard of the Venturing program and wants to know more • …knows little if anything of the Venturing program • …needs all the details it can get about Venturing

3. Basic Venturing Terminology The Age Group Venturing vs. Boy Scouts The Adult’s Venturing Philosophy Male vs. Female Youth vs. Adult Program Goals Methods of Venturing Experience Areas of Venturing Uniforming Adult Leadership Structure Youth Leadership Structure Starting a New Crew Sea Scouting Open Houses Recruitment Do’s & Don’ts VLSC Oath & Code Why Venturing? Program Planning Making a Successful Crew The Venturing Awards Advising for Awards Venturing Rendezvous & Revenge Crew Bylaws Super Activities Crew Committee Venturing Literature & Resources Membership Statistics Topics I’d Like to Cover

4. Basic Venturing Terminology The Age Group Venturing vs. Boy Scouts The Adult’s Venturing Philosophy Male vs. Female Youth vs. Adult Program Goals Methods of Venturing Experience Areas of Venturing Uniforming Adult Leadership Structure Youth Leadership Structure Starting a New Crew Sea Scouting Open Houses Recruitment Do’s & Don’ts VLSC Oath & Code Why Venturing? Program Planning Making a Successful Crew The Venturing Awards Advising for Awards Venturing Rendezvous & Revenge Crew Bylaws Super Activities Crew Committee Venturing Literature & Resources Membership Statistics Topics I’ll Cover in Detail

5. Basic Venturing Terminology The Age Group Venturing vs. Boy Scouts The Adult’s Venturing Philosophy Male vs. Female Youth vs. Adult Program Goals Methods of Venturing Experience Areas of Venturing Uniforming Adult Leadership Structure Youth Leadership Structure Starting a New Crew Sea Scouting Open Houses Recruitment Do’s & Don’ts VLSC Oath & Code Why Venturing? Program Planning Making a Successful Crew The Venturing Awards Advising for Awards Venturing Rendezvous & Revenge Crew Bylaws Super Activities Crew Committee Venturing Literature & Resources Membership Statistics Topics I’ll Briefly Cover VEN 327 VEN 337

6. A Disclaimer….Sort Of • This course covers much of the basic information about Venturing • VLST & Fast Start • You will feel overwhelmed and will think this session is moving too quickly…stop me whenever you need. • VLST is a multi-hour course…I’m compressing basic information into 45 minutes!

7. Venturing SAT Analogies(Terminology 101) • Venturing : Boy Scouting : Cub Scouting • Crew : Troop : Pack • Venturer : Boy Scout : Cub Scout • Advisor : Scoutmaster : Cubmaster

8. Who is Venturing For? • Young Men and Women • 14 (And Completed 8th Grade) – 20 Years Old • Adults of All Ages • Many are younger • Many are not parents of Venturers

9. Venturing vs. Boy Scouts • Venturing is not “advanced co-ed Boy Scouting” • Median age is significantly different (11-13 vs. 15-17) • Venturing is co-ed • Venturers are in charge (Boy Scouts are often not) • Venturing Can SUPPORT Boy Scouting • We won’t “steal” your boys • Venturing can strengthen your Troop • Venturers can teach advanced skills • Venturers give boys an incentive to remain in the BSA program

10. Retaining Youth in the BSA • Venturing does not “steal” boys from a Troop • If boys leave a Troop for a Crew • You were going to loose them anyway! • A Troop with a strong program will keep boys in BOTH the Troop and Crew • Remember our ultimate goal in Scouting…we’re not here to be selfish • The Scouts in our Troops are not “OURS”

11. The Adult’s Venturing Philosophy • Youth are completely in charge! • Adults often have a problem with this aspect of Venturing, especially if they’ve served for many years as Scoutmaster or Cubmaster. • Stand back and let the youth fail! • It’s all about learning from your successes (and failures). • Boy Scouts have ScoutMASTERS, Cub Scouts have CubMASTERS, Venturing has Advisors • So, the Advisors job is to ADVISE

12. Male vs. Female Issues? • For “Old Scouters,” mixing girls with boys in the Scouting program is “a bad idea!” • To the contrary… • …girls give boys an incentive to stay in the program • …Venturing helps the BSA ideals reach the other 50% of the USA population (girls)

13. Interesting Observations About Girls • Boys often assume they’re “better suited” for the outdoors, but young women usually outperform the boys • The “girls” often take leadership roles more seriously • The girls can keep the boys under control!

14. Male vs. Female Issues? • When organized correctly, the youth of a Crew control themselves • Crew bylaws are your best friend • When youth write the bylaws, they tend to follow them • The Crew should include provisions addressing male/female conflicts and relationships. • When discipline is an issue, Venturers tend to be stricter on their peers than adults.

15. Crew Bylaws • The Crew’s constitution • Each Crew creates their own bylaws • When the youth write their own bylaws, they’re much more likely to abide by them • Advisors can gently guide the Crew, but should not impose any rules other than those deemed necessary Crew 951 Constitution.doc

16. Youth vs. Adult Issues? • The Guide to Safe Scouting tells you everything you need • Two deep leadership for co-ed crews • 1 male & 1 female • both 21 or older • Separate sleeping quarters (it’s complicated) • “When awake, you’re an adult at 21, when asleep, you’re an adult at 18”

17. Program Goals • To gain practical experience in a special interest, a skill, or leadership • Engage in a program of activities centered on the following areas: social, leadership, fitness, service, outdoor, and citizenship • To experience positive leadership from adults and youth and to have an opportunity to lead others • To learn and grow in a caring environment

18. Methods of Venturing • Leadership • Group Activities • Adult Association • Recognition • The Ideals • High Adventure • Teaching Others

19. Experience Areas of Venturing • Social • Leadership • Fitness • Service • Outdoor • Citizenship

20. Who Charters a Crew? • Any non-profit of for-profit organization or business • “Traditional” BSA Chartering Organizations • Churches, schools, fire companies, etc. • For many Crews, businesses may be the best chartering organization • Specialized resources • Equipment and supplies readily available

21. Crew Specialties • Majority are outdoor oriented • General interest not necessarily a good idea • When Crew grows, there may be conflict due to lack of focus in the Crew’s program • Can be almost anything! • Consider the six experience areas of Venturing • Remember the Guide to Safe Scouting • So, you can’t have a sky diving Crew, e.g.

22. Uniforming • A Crew’s uniform, if any, is the choice of the Crew • There is a “suggested” uniform offered by BSA National Supply • It’s expensive! • The key is for it to be a “uniform” uniform • Non-BSA uniforms are typically a Crew t-shirt with a standard color/design shorts & pants.

23. Youth Leadership Structure • Crew Cabinet • Crew President • VP for Administration • VP for Program • Secretary • Treasurer • Additional Youth Leadership • Appointed Activity Chairs Youth Leadership Detail.ppt

24. Adult Leadership Structure • Advisor • Associate Advisors • For Program • For Administration • Others as Needed • Committee Chairperson • Committee Members • Consultants Adult Leadership Detail.ppt

26. Recruitment • Use your Crew Calendar • Your Venturers are the best recruitment tool you have…word of mouth works! • Invite prospective members on Crew outings • BSA Insurance covers prospectives for one time only • Hint…hint…Venturing Rendezvous is April 21-23

27. The “Do’s” of Venturing • Do give your Venturers… • …the resources they want (or don’t know they want) • …the encouragement they need • …ideas and guidance as needed • Do let your Venturers… • …fail every so often • …lead the Crew where they wish • Do treat your Venturers… • …as EQUALS

28. The “Don’ts” of Venturing • Don’t treat your Venturers… • …like overgrown Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts • …like children • …as inferiors or subordinates • Don’t let your Venturers… • …hurt themselves • …do anything illegal

29. VLSC – A Youth Training • Venturing Leadership Skills Course • Leadership skills training • Annually conducted by Advisors and outgoing/existing president • Hands-on training • See the VLSC Training Guide

30. 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.

31. The 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.

32. Why Choose Venturing? • The Ideals • Leadership Skills & Training • Co-Ed • The Awards Program • Customizability • The Insurance

33. Bronze Awards Outdoor Sea Scouting Arts & Hobbies Youth Ministries Sports Gold Award Silver Award Ranger Award Trust Award Quest Award Quartermaster Award The Venturing Awards

34. Awards Scheme.gif

35. Other Venturing Awards • Advisor’s Award of Merit • Venturing Leadership Awards • National, Regional, Council • Young American Award • Shooting Sports Outstanding Achievement Award • Quartermaster Award

36. Powder Horn Training • Trexler Scout Reservation in Minsi Trails Council • August 24-27 & September 8-10, 2006 • Advanced Skills Resource Training Fact Sheet – Powder Horn.doc Flyer – Powder Horn.doc

37. Upcoming NEPA Events • 2006 Venturing Rendezvous • April 21-23 @ Goose Pond Scout Reservation • 2006 Insomniacs Revenge • October 6-8 @ Goose Pond Scout Reservation • 2007 Venturing Rendezvous • TBA @ Camp Acahela