University of Scouting

1. University of Scouting Understanding the Differences between Venturing and Exploring Presented by Kate Van Loke Advisor Crew 1001 Sponsored by the Knights of Columbus, Johnson City, N.Y.

2. Crew 1001Johnson City Knights of Columbus

3. What is Venturing? A Brief History

4. When did Venturing Begin… • 1935 a Guide to Senior Scouting was published • Explorers • Sea Scouts • Air Scouts • 1949 BSA consolidated senior program (except sea scouts) into Exploring. • Exploring could be stand alone or within a Troop • Explorers could earn Bronze, Gold and Silver Awards • 1966 last Silver Award earned • Until 1998

5. 1998 • February 1998 the new Venturing program was officially created by the BSA executive board. • The advancement in Venturing today is based on the awards of Exploring in the past • What was true in 1920 is just as true today – older teens need a program specific to their needs and abilities.

6. What then is Venturing? • A program for young men and women aged between 14 (completed 8th grade) through 20 years of age. • It is a program which… • Provides positive experiences • Enhances the maturity and development of its participants • Prepares them to become responsible, caring adults

7. Goals of Venturing Participants will… • Learn to make ethical choices by instilling values (see Venturing Oath) • Experience: fun, challenge and adventure • Become a resource for cub scouts, boy scouts, and others (skilled presenters and trainers) • Acquire skills in many program areas • Experience positive leadership from others as role models • Learn and grow in a caring , supportive, fun, environment

8. What is Exploring?

9. Career Opportunities • Develop potential contacts that may broaden employment options • Boost self-confidence and experience success at school and work • Develop Life Skills • Develop physical and mental fitness • Experience positive social interaction • Citizenship • Encourage the skill and desire to help others • Gain a keen respect for the basic rights of others • Character Education • Help make ethical choices • Fulfill one's responsibilities to society as a whole • Leadership Experience • Acquire leadership skills necessary to fulfill one's responsibilities in society • Develop a variety of leadership traits

10. Explorer Posts – Post Specialties • Arts and Humanities • Aviation • Business • Communications • Engineering • Fire/Emergency Services. • Law and Government

11. Specialties cont… • Law Enforcement • Medical and Health Careers • Science • Skilled Trades • Social Services • Others

12. Methods of Achieving Venturing Goals • Leadership – Venturers are given opportunities to learn and apply proven leadership skills • Group Activities – Requires cooperation to succeed and involves learning by doing • Adult Association – The youth officers lead the crew with guidance from the adult officers

13. Methods continued… • Recognition – awards program • Ideals – know and live by the oath and code • High Adventure – (general or specialized) provides team building, lifelong memories • Teaching Others – working with younger kids or others, teaching what they have learned.

14. Ethics in Action Venturers learn to be… • Responsible and caring adults • Problem solvers – meeting challenges and opportunities • Planning • Seeking knowledge • Application • Improvising, adapting and overcoming obstacles • Leaders – others will see their high ideals and standards, admire their abilities, and follow their example

15. Exploring Goals Young adults involved in Exploring will • Gain practical knowledge of and experience in a career • Engage in a program of activities centered on career opportunities, life skills, service learning, character education, and leadership experience to encourage the development of the whole person • 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 enjoyable environment

16. Methods to Achieve Exploring Goals The methods of Exploring have been carefully chosen to meet the needs of young adults. • Voluntary association between youth and adults. • Because Exploring is voluntary, youth are receptive to new ideas, experiences, and relationships. For the Explorer, these relationships provide a connection to new ways of thinking and acting as well as a new identity as a responsible young adult. • Ethical decision making. • Exploring asks young people to be responsible for themselves, for a program of activities and experiences, and for other people, thereby providing numerous opportunities for youth to make effective and ethical decisions. These opportunities are enhanced by the influence of capable adults and structured activities. • Group activities. • Exploring activities are interdependent group experiences. Success depends on the cooperation of all.

17. Methods cont… • Recognition of achievement. • Recognition might come through formal awards, but it also is achieved through the acknowledgment by peers and adults of a young person's competence and abilities. • Democratic process. • Explorer posts provide exposure to democratic ideals and skills that are needed throughout life. • Curiosity, exploration, and adventure. • Curiosity is encouraged and a sense of exploration and adventure is developed through new experiences that provide opportunities for youth to acquire new skills and participate in action-oriented activities.

18. Take a Step to High Adventure and Careers • Join a Crew or Post • contact the Baden-Powell council at 607 648-7888 for a Crew or Post nearest you • Start a Crew or Post • Big step, not for the timid but if you think this might be the way to go, this is how to do it…

19. Starting a Venturing Crew • Contact your district Rep • The DR can help you find a Sponsor • Secure a Sponsor (BSA and Sponsoring Organization needs a Charter Agreement) • Local community organizations • Professional groups • Churches • Civic Groups • Etc • Recruit other Adults to help out • Fill out Adult and Youth membership forms and secure your insurance through council

20. Starting a Post • Organization's Commitment: • Secure a commitment from the chief executive officer of the participating organization. • Career Opportunities Development Meeting: • A training and program development meeting for post adult leaders conducted by an Exploring program representative. • Post First Nighter Meeting: • A special and exciting hands-on meeting held annually by each post to recruit new youth participants. • Post Activities Development Meeting: • A program planning meeting with Explorers' input to reach agreement on post monthly activities. • Explorer Post Officers' Seminar: • Training meeting for elected post officers.

21. Ok! Now What? • See the Venturing / Exploring Leader Fast Start Guide (get trained) • Get the Venturing Leader / Explorer (Learning for Life) Manual • Conduct the Program capability inventory • Seek youth input • Hold an election for youth officers • Develop a realistic time schedule • Do some fund raising • Go Do It!

22. Youth Officers

23. Adult Support

24. High Adventure

25. Crew Activities • Different people – Different Interests • Hence the use of the interest survey • Some Crews Specialize • Shooting, EMS, Sheriffs Dept (Explorers), etc • Most Crews offer Variety • Camping, backpacking, hiking • Canoeing, kayaking, sailing • Climbing, caving • Shooting • Horseback riding, cycling, skiing • Sports, Social Events, Service • ETC Note: There are things you can do in Venturing that you can not do with the other programs (cub, Webelos, boy scout)

26. Fun with a Purpose • Who stated this? • Answer – Lord Baden-Powell. It is the premise and foundation of the scouting program • Why? • In order to achieve the goals stated earlier, young adults need to have fun and enjoyment so they will return repeatedly to the program thereby allowing us to guide and shape them into responsible young adults

27. How to Have Fun – Responsibly The Sweet 16 of BSA Safety (From BSA "Guide To Safe Scouting") These 16 safety points, which embody good judgment and common sense, are applicable to all activities:

28. The Sweet 16 • Qualified Supervision. • Physical Fitness. • Buddy System. • Safe Area • Equipment Selection and Maintenance. • Personal Safety Equipment. • Safety Procedures and Policies. • Skill Level Limits. • Weather Check.

29. 16 continued… • Planning. • Communications. • Permits and Notices. • First-Aid Resources. • Applicable Laws. • CPR Resource. • Discipline.

30. Advancement • Recognition of the Fun and Participation in Quality Program • This is achieved by the presenting of Awards (Bronze, Gold Silver and Ranger) • B.A.R.S. Staircase • Belonging • Achievement • Recognition • Status

31. B.A.R.S Staircase STATUS Increased self-esteem RECOGNITION Presentation of Awards ACHIEVEMENT Learning, doing, teaching BELONGING Through Participation

32. Awards • Bronze (Crews can choose which Bronze Award to do based on how they function as a crew such as if they have a specialty) • Sports • Religious Life • Arts and Hobbies • Outdoor • Sea Scout • Gold • Silver • Ranger • Quest • Sea Scout - Quartermaster

33. The “Meat” of Venturing Good High Adventure Program includes: • Keeping the ‘Outing’ in Scouting • Safe, Fun and Affordable • Sweet 16 in place • Applicable to participant skill, fitness levels • Cost analysis • Fundraising (offset costs to families) • Well Attended (Adult and Youth) • Interesting and challenging

34. Who What When Why Where How Needs / Equipment lists Individual Group See the Program Capability Inventory and Planning worksheets See also the Venturing Activity Interest Survey Planning Activities

35. Uniforms • BSA Class A Venturing shirt is Hunter Green • Worn with Green Epaulets • BSA insignia • Slate Grey pants recommended • Uniform is not required • Tee shirts can be designed and worn • Explorers wear the Uniform of the Participating Organization

36. Exploring and Venturing Differences

37. Differences cont…

38. Any Questions?