What Is
Venturing? 
Venturing is a youth development program of the Boy Scouts of America for young men and women who are 14 through 20 years of age and 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.
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 (groups of youth and responsible adults) 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 crews can specialize in a variety of avocation or hobby interests.
What a Venturing crew does is limited only by the imagination and involvement of the adult and youth members- sail the Caribbean, produce a play, climb a mountain, teach disabled people to swim, or attend the Olympics. All these adventures and many more are being done today by venturing crews across the country. All that is needed are concerned adults who are willing to share a little bit of themselves with today's youth- tomorrow's leaders.
Venturing programs are developed around six experience areas of emphasis:
Citizenship
Develop a better understanding of America's social, economic, and governmental systems and encourage pride in our American heritage.
Leadership
Provide for the opportunity for youth to learn and practice leadership skills and to experience increasing levels of leadership responsibilities.
Fitness
Improve mental, emotional, and physical fitness and develop important skills that are needed for making ethical decisions.
Social
Instill stable personal values firmly based on religious concepts. Develop skills in dealing with all people and encourage a sense of family and community responsibility.
Outdoor
Develop a degree of self-reliance based on courage, initiative, and resourcefulness. Understand and appreciate the wise use of natural resources and the protection of our environment.
Service
Develop skills and the desire to help others. Provide the opportunity to gain respect for the basic rights of others.
