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WHAT IS VENTURING?
 | Venturing is the young adult division of the Boy Scouts of America for young men and
women ages 14-20 (who have completed the eighth grade). |
| Venturing's purpose is to provide positive experiences to help young people mature and
to prepare them to become responsible and caring adults. |
| The Venturing program has been tailored to help religious youth groups achieve their
alms and purposes by providing leadership training, outdoor and high-adventure activity,
program ideas, recognition for the youth, audiovisuals, literature, and insurance. |
| A Venturing program is owned by the religious organization. The religious organization
selects and approves adult leadership. The religious organization uses elements of the
Venturing program to help achieve its specific aims and purposes related to young adults. |
EVERYONE WINS WITH VENTURING
| The religious organization wins: |
 | Venturing will work with any existing youth program structure. It does not require
starting another program. Any youth group can incorporate Venturing into its program. |
| Venturing will help keep your youth closer to your organization's beliefs and
expectations and connected to the right people. |
| Venturing provides a "Package" (wholesome, fun activities and recognition)
that you can use to hold on to your existing youth and to attract new youth into your
religious organization. |
| Venturing in your youth group will help display your faith's role in the welfare of the
community. |
| The religious awards program will help create an arena in which young adults can
interact with religious leaders. |
| The adult volunteers win: |
| Volunteers receive specific program suggestions that can be tailored to the needs of the
youth group. |
| Opportunity for greater community involvement is provided. |
| Communication, planning, and program development skills are enhanced. |
| A greater commitment to service results. |
| The youth win: |
| Venturing stimulates youth interest in wholesome, fun activities sponsored by the
religious organization, and can strengthen their commitment to the organization. |
| In Venturing, youth are taught hands-on leadership skills like planning, listening,
teamwork, communication, and delegation. |
| Venturing's awards and achievements help youth feel recognized, give them a sense of
belonging, and build self-esteem. |
VENTURING RESOURCES
| Access to local BSA camp property for religious retreats and team building |
| Professional guidance: |
| How to organize the group |
| How to recruit new youth |
| Connections with other youth groups |
| How to conduct an annual planning meeting |
| Help planning and tailoring your program to achieve your aims |
| Liability and accident insurance |
| Venturing Leadership Skills Course for all members |
| Training for adult volunteers |
| Youth protection training videotape for youth and adults |
| Fast Start videotape for new leaders |
| Program helps: |
| Youth Ministries Bronze Award |
| Gold Award |
| Silver Award |
| Ranger Award |
| Venturing Leader Manual |
| Start-up orientation |
| Service projects to benefit the religious organization |
GETTING STARTED
| Secure a commitment from the head of the religious organization. |
| Call a briefing meeting of key organization members. |
| The organization head calls a meeting of key members in the organization with a
Venturing representative from the BSA local council in attendance. The Venturing
representative can |
| Explain how Venturing works within the framework of the religious organization |
| Determine the market for Venturing within the organization |
| Describe adult leader roles and responsibilities; discuss prospects to fill adult
leadership positions |
| Help identify a key adult to serve as the chartered organization representative-a
liaison between the religious organization and the Venturing crew (youth group) |
| Identify program support and methods |
| Conduct planning and training meetings. |
Your Venturing crew committee and Advisors meet with a Venturing representative to
| View the Briefing the Organizing Committee videotape, AV-03VO12 |
| Plan the first programs |
| Set the open house date |
| Review New Crew Start-Up Orientation, No. 25-878, and determine when to conduct
the program capability inventory with adults and the activity interest survey with youth |
| Promote attendance at open house |
Members compile a list of five friends each to invite to an open house.
A telephone follow-up should be conducted by the committee two days before the open
house to all members and prospects.
Confirm open house arrangements and print the outline of the crew's planned program to distribute at the open house.
| Conduct the open house. |
Follow the suggested open house agenda on page 34 of the Venturing Leader Manual, No.34655A.
Distribute the crew's planned program to youth and parents.
A YEAR IN THE LIFE OF A VENTURER
The Boy Scouts of America recently invited the Louis Harris and Associates, Inc.
organization to conduct a poll to scientifically answer the question, "What is it
about the BSA programs that leads to positive outcomes?"
The poll identified Six Critical Elements of Healthy Youth Development. The poll
results as they relate to high school-age youth (Venturers) are as follows:
- Strong personal values and character
Seventy-nine percent of Venturers polled said Venturing gave them opportunities to
practice ethical decision making.
- A positive sense of self-worth and usefulness
Eighty-nine percent of Venturers agreed that being a Venturer has taught them to have
more confidence in themselves and their abilities.
Eighty-nine percent agreed with the statement, "The activities in Venturing help you
prepare for the future."
- Caring, nurturing relationship with parents, other adults, and peers
Ninety-one percent of Venturers agreed that they can talk to their Advisors about
important issues.
Ninety-six percent agreed that they have made new friends in Venturing.
- A desire to learn
Sixty-five percent of Venturers agreed that Venturing gives them a chance to do things
and go places that they would not otherwise experience.
- Productive/creative use of time
Fifty-six percent of Venturers agreed that during a typical three-month period, they
participated in a service project.
- Social adeptness
Ninety-two percent agreed with the statements, "You learned to get along with
people who are different from yourself," and, "You learned something about how
to be a team player and work in a group."
In a typical three-month period, Venturers responded:
| Eighty-seven percent participate in a group vote or decision. |
| Eighty-three percent resolve conflicts with peers. |
| Sixty-eight percent participated in a Venturing outdoor activity. |
| Forty-two percent have talked with professionals or experts in a specialized field. |
| Forty-one percent have learned about a potential career field. |
YOUTH MINISTRIES BRONZE AWARD AND
RELIGIOUS EMBLEMS
Youth Ministries Bronze Award
The following is a sampling of the requirements for the Youth Ministries Bronze Award:
| Earn your denomination's Venturing-age religious award. |
| Plan and lead a service project such as helping to build a Habitat for Humanity house,
participating in a community cleanup project, or taking on a fix-up project for a nursing
home or nursery. |
| Serve as a volunteer in your religious organization or another nonprofit organization
for at least three months. |
| Go on a religious retreat or religious trek lasting at least two days. |
| Produce or be a cast member in some type of entertainment production with a religious or
ethical theme, such as a play, puppet show, or concert for a group such as a children's
group, retirement home, homeless shelter, etc. |
Venturing Religious Emblems*
Religious emblems are owned by the specific denominations and are authorized by the
Religious Relationships Committee, BSA. The following denominations currently offer
religious emblems for Venturers:
| Armenian Apostolic Church of America |
Hindu |
| Armenian Church of America |
Islamic |
| Baha'i |
Jewish |
| Baptist |
Lutheran |
| Buddhist |
Meher Baba |
| Catholic, Eastern |
Moravian |
| Catholic, Roman |
Polish National Catholic |
Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ) |
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) |
| Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints |
Protestant |
| Churches of Christ |
Religious Society of Friends
(Quakers) |
| Eastern Orthodox |
Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter
Day Saints |
| Episcopal |
The Salvation Army |
| First Church of Christ, Scientist |
United Church of Christ |
| General Church of the New Jerusalem |
United Methodist |
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Zoroastrian |
*For more information about the religious emblems, contact your local Boy Scouts of
America council office or P.R.A.Y.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q. If my religious organization starts a Venturing program, how much ownership and
flexibility will I have in the program?
Since 1910 the Boy Scouts of America has partnered with religious and community
organizations in a unique arrangement.
The local council of the Boy Scout organization provides
| Proven and tested program suggestions for young people |
| Professional consulting and organization services to assist the religious organization |
| Camping property available for all affiliated groups |
| General liability insurance and low-cost accident insurance |
The religious organization maintains ownership of the following:
| Approving and selecting the adult leadership |
| Providing the meeting place |
| Determining how the program will be administered to meet its specific aims and purposes |
Q. What are the advantages of combining my religious organization's youth group with
Venturing?
| The Venturing program provides program ideas and resources that will enhance your
existing group's program. |
| An enhanced youth group program can help retain your high school-age youth and attract
new youth to your organization. It could bring youth and their families into your
organization. |
| You can weave your specific religious instruction or expectations in with the fun
activities of Venturing. |
| Working with the Boy Scouts of America, you will discover a wealth of resources: other
youth groups in your area, successful fund-raisers, access to camping and retreat
properties, leadership training for your adult and youth leaders, literature, and program
resources. |
Q. How much does it cost to create a Venturing crew with my religious youth group?
| Twenty-dollar annual charter fee (provides general liability insurance coverage to all
registered members, leaders, and your religious organization) |
| Seven-dollar annual fee per adult leader (minimum of four) |
| Seven-dollar annual fee per youth (minimum of five) |
Q. Is a uniform required?
A uniform is not required in Venturing. There is an optional Venturing uniform
available. Many Venturing crews create their own T-shirt or other way of identifying
themselves with the group.
Q. Where will we find the leadership?
Venturing provides an adult survey form that can be used to survey members of your
religious organization. It can help identify adult volunteers to serve as Advisors,
program consultants, and helpers with transportation, chaperoning, counseling, and
planning. In addition, your local Venturing representative can assist you in a process of
prospecting and recruitment that can help identify leadership.
Q. Will Venturing compete with my youth group?
The Venturing program is designed to complement and enhance your existing group. You
choose the elements of Venturing that best complement your program. It is designed to be
flexible and fit within the framework you have created. If you don't have a youth group,
it creates a framework to build on.
Q. How do we get started?
Contact your local Boy Scouts of America office in the white pages of your phone book.
Ask to speak with a unit-serving executive in your area about Venturing.
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Boy Scout Troop 652 