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What is 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; Leadership; Fitness; Social; Outdoor; Service.
VENTURING ROUNDTABLES ARE MEETING...
Venturing Roundtables are a great way for your crew to connect with other crews in the council and to learn about exciting oppertunities in Venturing. For your convience, we opperate two Venturing Roundtables in the Minsi Trails Council. Youth and adults are welcomed. Don't miss out on this great experience to network.
Northern Tier Roundtables
Venturing Crewsin the Anthracite, North Valley and Pocono Districts are invited to the Northern Tier Roundtable. This meets the second Thursday of the month, breaking during July and August. This roundtable meets at St. John's Lutheran Church on 9 N 9th Street in Stroudsburg. They start at 7:00. All Venturing youth and adults are invited. For more information contact Bill Snell at snell@epix.net.
Southern Tier Roundtables
Venturing Crews in the Forks, South Moutain, Trexler, and North Valley Districts are invited to the Southern Tier Roundtables. This meets on the third Monday of the month and will not break for the summer. The group meets at the Council Service Center, 991 Postal Road at 7pm. All youth and adults are invited. For more information, contact John Arno at jaxray@aol.com.
Last month, the Southern Tier Roundtable hosted the Wildlands Conservancy to talk about hiking, biking and canoeing oppertunities in the Lehigh Valley.
Goals and Methods of Venturing
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.
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