Venturing

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.

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

• Developing a better understanding of America's social, economic, and governmental systems
• Encouraging a pride in our American heritage

Leadership

• Developing leadership skills
• Preparing to give leadership and fulfill our responsibilities to American society and to the people of the world

Fitness

• Improving mental, emotional, and physical fitness and an appreciation for sports
• Developing ethical decision-making skills

Social

• Instilling stable personal values firmly based on religious concepts
• Developing skill in dealing with all people and encouraging a sense of family and community responsibility

Outdoor

• Developing a degree of self-reliance based on courage, initiative, and resourcefulness
• Understanding and appreciating the wise use of resources and the protection of our environment

Service

• Encouraging the skill and desire to help others
• Gaining a keen respect for the basic rights of others

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, 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.

Methods

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

• 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.

Ethics in Action

An important goal of Venturing is to help young adults be responsible and caring persons, both now and in the future. Venturing uses "ethical controversies" to help young adults develop the ability to make responsible choices that reflect their concern for what is a risk and how it will affect others involved. Because an ethical controversy is a problem-solving situation, leaders expect young adults to employ empathy, invention, and selection when they think through their position and work toward a solution of an ethical controversy.

Last Revised 4/4/99.