Venturing
Venturing is a youth development program of the Boy Scouts of America for young men and women who are 14 years of age OR (13 years of age AND completion of the eighth grade) through 20 years of age. Venturing's purpose is to provide positive experiences to help young people mature and to prepare them to become responsible and caring adults.

Venturing is based on a unique and dynamic relationship between youth, adult leaders, and organizations in their communities. Local community organizations establish a Venturing crew by matching their people and program resources to the interests of young people in the community. The result is a program of exciting and meaningful activities that helps youth pursue their special interests, grow, develop leadership skills, and become good citizens.

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.

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 truth in all things and adventure on the frontiers of our changing world.

Goals
Young adults involved in Venturing will:

• Learn to make ethical choices over their lifetimes by instilling the values in the Venturing Oath and Code
• Experience a program that is fun and full of challenge and adventure
• Become a skilled training and program resource for Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts and other groups Acquire skills in the areas of high adventure, sports, arts and hobbies, religious life, or Sea Scouting
• Experience positive leadership from adult and youth leaders and be given opportunities to take on leadership roles
• Have a chance to learn and grow in a supportive, caring, and fun environment

 
Methods
The methods of Venturing have been carefully chosen to meet the needs of young adults.

Leadership
All Venturers are given opportunities to learn and apply proven leadership skills. A Venturing crew is led by elected crew officers. The Venturing Leadership Skills Course is designed for all Venturers and helps teach in an active way to effectively lead.

Group Activities
Venturing activities are interdependent group experiences in which success is dependent on the cooperation of all. Learning by doing in a group setting provides opportunities for developing new skills.

Adult Association
The youth officers lead the crew. The officers and activity chairs work closely with adult Advisors and other adult leaders in a spirit of partnership. The adults serve in a "shadow" leader capacity.

Recognition.
Recognition comes through the Venturing advancement program and through the acknowledgement of a youth's competence and ability by peers and adults. The Ideals. Venturers are expected to know and live by the Venturing Oath and Code. They promise to be faithful in religious duties, treasure their American heritage, to help others, and to seek truth and fairness.

A variety of awards are available to Venturers who accomplish specific achievements. Please visit the national Venturing Awards page.

High Adventure.
Venturing's emphasis on high adventure helps provide team-building opportunities, new meaningful experiences, practical leadership application, and lifelong memories to young adults.

Sea Scouting 

Sea Scouts is a specialized segment of the Venturing program, which was organized to address members' boating skills and promote knowledge of our maritime heritage.

Sea Scout units, called "ships," focus on sailing and cruising either sailboats or power vessels. During the boating seasons, Sea Scouts learn to maintain and operate then vessel, with a focus on learning the safe and proper methods of handling boats. Sea Scouts also learn the meaning of buoys and lights, how to take advantage of wind and tide, and how to drop anchor or approach a dock.

Most ships hold formal meetings conducted in either full dress of work uniforms. Swimming, lifesaving, first aid, Coast Guard Auxiliary Sailing and Seamanship, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation courses are taught with the ship by our own officers. The state safe boating course is also offered by many ships. Occasionally movies are shown, contests between crews are held, or intership visits are arranged.

For more infomration about the Sea Scouts, including how to join or start a Sea Scout ship in your area, please contact the Hudson Valley Council.

Venturing Resources

National Venturing page
http://www.scouting.org/Youth/ContinueAdventure/Venturing.aspx

National's Venturing Standard Operating Procedures

http://www.scouting.org/filestore/venturing/pdf/VenturingStandardOperatingProcedures.pdf

Northeast Region Venturing

http://nerventuring-bsa.org/

Venturing Officer Nomination Form (all levels)
http://scouting.org/filestore/venturing/pdf/2011-2012VenturingPresidentNominationForm.pdf


More Venturing Resources
 

For more information on the Teen Leaders Council meetings and events, please visit our Teen Leaders Council website: