Who We Are

Venturing is a core program of the Boy Scouts of America for young men and women ages 14 (or 13 and who graduated the eighth grade) through 20. It is one of the BSA'S three programs for older youth, which also include Sea Scouts and Exploring. The purpose of Venturing is to provide a positive environment where youth members, called Venturers, can lead the adventure, take on new leadership roles, and mature into responsible adults.

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In addition to the Scout Oath and Law, Venturers also subscribe to the Venturing Motto “Lead the Adventure” and the ALPS Model, Adventure, Leadership, Personal Growth, and Service.

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The crew itself is led by youth members who are elected to different leadership positions. Traditionally, these include the president, vice president of administration, vice president of program, secretary, treasurer, quartermaster, guide, and historian.

The crew officers are encouraged to select a specialty for their crew, plan programs for the upcoming year, train their crew members, recruit new Venturers, and give service to their communities.

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The Crew Advisor exists to help guide and mentor youth crew officers and members as they lead their crew. Depending on the size of the crew, the Crew Advisor may choose to recruit Crew Associate Advisors.

Rank Advancement

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The core Venturing program includes advancement opportunities for youth featuring four different ranks: Venturing, Discovery, Pathfinder, and Summit. These ranks must be earned in order. The Venturing Summit Rank is comparable to the rank of Eagle Scout.

• Venturing Rank – The Venturer makes a commitment to join the crew and move forward with the experience of Venturing.

• Discovery Rank – The Venturer must participate in adventures, take CPR and first aid training, and complete the Introduction to Leadership Skills for Crews and Goal-Setting and Time Management, and Crew Officers' Orientation. They must also set and achieve a personal goal and participate in service activities.

• Pathfinder Rank – The Venturer must participate in and lead adventures, take the Project Management training, and give leadership to advanced adventures. They must also serve as a leader in the crew, serve on a VOA, or serve on staff for leadership training. Additionally, they must set and achieve another personal goal, lead a crew recruitment project, and participate in service activities.

• Summit Rank – The Venturer must participate in and lead adventures, complete the Mentoring training, mentor another youth in leading an activity, serve as a leader in the crew, serve on a VOA, or serve on staff for leadership training. They must also complete a personal reflection, create a personal code of conduct, lead an ethical controversy and conflict resolution scenario, and plan and conduct a service project similar to that required for the rank of Eagle Scout.

 

Specialty Awards

In addition to Venturing's core ranks, Venturers may also earn awards that demonstrate their unique skill sets.

Ranger Award – The Ranger Award recognizes youth for high-level outdoors and high-adventure skills like first aid, conservation, and various electives.

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Quest Award – The Quest Award recognizes youth who take control of their personal health by managing their diet and exercise.

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TRUST Award – The TRUST Award recognizes youth who learn to trust those around them by more closely connecting themselves with their religion, culture, community, and themself.

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Supernova Award – The Supernova award recognizes youth who work alongside an adult mentor to better understand the world of STEM and take on unique STEM-related projects.

Shooting Sports Outstanding Achievement Award – This award recognizes youth who take their shooting skills to the next level by becoming proficient in five of the seven shooting sports sections: air pistol, air rifle, archery, muzzle-loading rifle, shotgun, pistol, or small-bore rifle.

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Venturing Leadership Award

The Venturing Leadership Award is given to recognize both Venturing adults and youth who have made exceptional contributions to Venturing and who exemplify the Scout Oath and Law.

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National Noteworthy Crew Award

The National Noteworthy Crew award is a distinction presented by the National Venturing Officers' Association every year to 3–5 Venturing crews from across the country who approach Venturing in innovative ways.

 

Youth Training

As part of its rank advancement, Venturing offers youth members the opportunity to complete the following training

• Personal Safety Awareness Training (Venturing Rank)

• Introduction to Leadership Skills for Crews (Discovery Rank)

• Goal Setting and Time Management (Discovery Rank)

• Crew Officers' Orientation (Discovery Rank)

• Project Management Training (Pathfinder Rank)

• Mentoring Training (Summit Rank)

 

Additionally, Venturers may also choose to take the following training:

• National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) offered by a local council

• National Advanced Youth Leadership Experience (NAYLE) is offered at the Philmont Training Center or The Summit Bechtel Reserve.

• Kodiak is offered by a local council. Kodiak is a Venturing-specific training.

• Powder Horn is offered by a local council. Powder Horn is a Venturing-specific training.

• Wood Badge offered by a local council if the Venturer is 18 or older.

Upon turning 18, all youth Venturing participants are required to take the BSA's Youth Protection Training (YPT).

 

Adult training

To help prepare adults to guide youth through their Venturing experience, Venturing offers adults access to the following Venturing-specific training:

• Venturing Advisor Position-Specific Training is available online.

• Crew Committee Position-Specific Training is available online.

• Powder Horn is offered by a local council.

Additionally, all adult Venturing volunteers are required to take the BSA's Youth Protection Training (YPT). Re-certification is required every two years.