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, to grow, to develop leadership skills, and to become
good citizens.
Venturing crews can specialize in a variety of
avocation or hobby interests. Venturing programs are developed
around six experience areas of emphasis: Citizenship;
Leadership; Fitness; Social; Outdoor; Service.
Membership
Venturing is a youth development program of the
Boy Scouts of America for young men and women who are 14 (and
have completed 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.
The Purposes of Venturing
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, Boy Scouts, and other groups.
Acquire skills in the areas of high adventure,
sports, arts and hobbies, youth ministries, 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.
Personal Growth
The methods of Venturing have been carefully
chosen to meet the needs of young adults and help them grow into
adulthood with confidence and fully developed interpersonal skills
that can help them throughout their lifetime. These methods are:
Voluntary association between youth and
adults. Because Venturing is voluntary, youth are
receptive to new ideas, experiences, and relationships. For the
youth members, these relationships provide a connection to new
ways of thinking and acting, and a new identity as a responsible
young adult.
Ethical decision-making. By
asking young people to be responsible for themselves, for a
program of positive activities and experiences, and for other
people, Venturing provides numerous opportunities for making
decisions and ethical choices. With the influence of positive
adult role models and structured activities, youth learn to make
effective and ethical decisions.
Group activities. Venturing
activities are interdependent group experiences in which success
is dependent on the cooperation of all youth and adults.
Recognition of achievement.
Recognition might come through the achievement of one of the many
awards available to youth members, but peers and adults also
achieve it through the acknowledgement of a young person's
competence and abilities.
Democratic process. Venturing
crews provide exposure to democratic ideas and skills that are
needed throughout life.
Curiosity, exploration, and adventure.
New experiences and Venturing activities provide an excellent
opportunity for acquiring new skills and participating in
action-oriented activities.
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.
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 truth in all things
and adventure on the frontiers of our changing world.
The Outdoor Code
As an American, I will do my best to -
Be clean in my outdoor manners.
I will treat the outdoors as a heritage.
I will take care of it for myself and others
I will keep my trash and garbage out of lakes, streams, fields,
woods, and roadways.
Be careful with fire. I will prevent wildfire.
I will build my fires only where they are appropriate.
When I have finished using a fire, I will make sure it is cold
out.
I will leave a clean fire ring, or remove all evidence of my fire.
Be considerate in the outdoors. I will treat public and private
property with respect.
I will use low-impact methods of hiking and camping.
and
Be conservation minded I will learn how to practice good
conservation of soil, waters, forests, minerals, grasslands,
wildlife, and energy.
I will urge others to do the same.
