why not more venturing?

[Apache Bob]

Back in the long distance past I was a member of an Explorer Post in Florida and we went camping and hiking etc all the time and had a ball. As time marched on I watched the Explorer program move into the career theme of things. I felt sad as I had enjoyed so much spending time with friends my own age doing Scouting things.
Then one day I learned that the Venturing program was starting up. It was boys and girls aged 14 and up. The program could be exactly what I had enjoyed in the late 50's with camping etc.
Why has it not caught on? What am I missing? Is it that Scout Troops try to use a Crew like a part of the Troop?
Comments, please.

[Den5Pack457]

Marketing is the key to promoting a program as new as venturing. It was easy enough when it was career oriented, before reverting back to a Ranger/adventure program. CHIPS and CODE RED bolstered both the Law Enforcement and Fire Dept Explorer programs, respectively.

Recruiting in the schools and other youth organizations is paramount. I got involved in Exploring, (later Venturing); through the Civil Air Patrol. We didn't know we could dual charter until we were looking through the CAP Regulations one day. We saw that with the BSA Explorer program, we could utilize scouting facilities and do activities not normally allowed in CAP, such as high adventure and shooting programs. We sought out the local scout executive, and got set up.

I would also recruit in BSA Troops. Boy Scouts can dual enroll (once they're of age); and sometimes hit a lull once they make Eagle and get their palms.

4-H, FFA, Church Youth Groups, Congressional Medal Councelors, Sierra Club, etc. would be great influencers towards a Venturing Crew.

Venturing, as an ancillary to an existing organization, is a win-win. You choose the uniform, you get access to BSA facilities and events, offer a recognition program, have insurance, and all of the other benefits thereto.

Just my two cents as a past Crew Advisor.

[Nuts4Scouts]

I think that BSA would have a better Venturing program if they would simply make it a part of the progression of Scouting instead of an additional program.

Boys would go from Cubs to Boy Scouts to Venturing. Seamless. No either, or senerio. At 14 (or 17, or whatever) you "grauate" to a Venturing program. Much as they do from Cubs to Boy Scouts.

This is how many Scouting programs around the world do it and it works well for them.

[Den5Pack457]

Some troops already do cross-over, most of them in small towns were pretty much the entire town is one Pack, Troop, and Crew. I've also seen and heard of churches with that same scenario.

[WB Bear]

I don’t think Venturing should be a natural progression and people “crossing over” to Venturing. I believe it is another opportunity for the youth. Older boys still have will be building and developing leadership skills in the Troop. They also will be providing leadership and support within the Troop setting. Upon turning 18 they can function as ASM’s. There is no reason why a youth should have to leave a Boy Scout Troop just because he reaches a certain age.

Don’t get me wrong, Venturing is an awesome program and it provides additional opportunities and experiences for the youth and is a very valuable part of the Scouting program.

[Den5Pack457]

With the shrinking numbers in the Girl Scouts, you would think we would draw more girls in the program.

[WB Bear]

Regardless of the numbers in Girl Scouts we are dealing with a difficult age range of youth. I believe the key is the program. Actually one of the biggest keys in Scouting is the program. We have to provide something that they want, of course within the parameters of our program. A Venturing Crew should be structured and have a purpose. It is crucial that there is a program or something of interest that will attract youth of that age range.

[Scoutmamaof4]

We have experienced a little resistance in our council for two main reasons.

1. Some parents fear that Venturing will be a distraction to their sons and will pull them away from the "true program".
2. There is still some resistance to integrating females into the youth area of BSA. We've had comments like "Boy Scouting is for BOYS", etc.

From what I understand, there was a great resistance to Cub Scouting in the beginning. I've told my youth that we are ambassadors and that we are in a most exciting position. We'll be the ones who can say we were the first in our area and when their children are involved in the Venturing program, they can take pride in knowing that they were the pioneers that helped the program grow.

[Apache Bob]

I remember when I went to join the Boy Scout ( in the mid 50's) and was told that since I was 14 years old I would be joining the Explorer Scouts and not the Boy Scouts. That was the way the program was run then (at least in Clearwater Fl).
Yes, a very active program in a Troop will keep a boy present and active BUT remember girls and cars plan an important part of his life too. We cannot help with the cars. But a crew can have girls and that will keep the boys interested and should bring new boys into the program.
The whole world of scouting is made up of boys and girls. All over the world except the United States. I guess the Boy Scouts of America does not want to take on the Girl Scouts head to head.
Also, we lose many boy scout to other things because the Troop leaders use them for training the younger boys over and over and over again.
Comments?

[WB Bear]

I agree the “fumes”, perfume and gas fumes, are a big problem.

Actually back in the 60’s if I remember correctly, at 14 you could go into a Post or if you stayed in the troop there was a “Senior” strip you wore over your right pocket if you stayed in the Troop. If any one knows about that for sure let me know.

I don’t think it’s an issue of going head to head with the Girl Scouts. It is more that Cub and Boy Scouts program is focus on the development of boys. The boys are at a very influential stage of development, and the boy really can’t be a boy with the presence of girls. It is a difficult time to set goals, make decisions and live with the consequences with girls around. Boys typically will try to be “cool” and not so much focus on Doing their Best and developing character traits.

As far losing boys due to using the boys to train the younger boys I am a little troubled with that for a couple reasons. I don’t fully understand what you mean. The older boys should be practicing leadership skill and also sharing their knowledge to the younger Scouts. The unit leaders should see that the older boys had some diversification in their jobs and positions. Older boys are a very valuable resource for a Troop. I do realize that some of the older boys do get tired of dealing with the younger Scouts after a while but they do have some options. The OA is an excellent place where they can partake, experience additional adventures and leadership roles. Of course there is the Venturing program also.

[Apache Bob]

WB Bear - I agree with you that it is very important that the older and more experienced Scouts work with the younger Scouts and pass on their knowledge and skills to the younger Scouts. I helps them improve their leadership skills and training ability. But, I have seen in several Councils that a lot of Troops use the older Scouts over and over again, year after year. The older boys get tired of teaching the same time time and time again. They begin to think the only reason they are in the Troop is to train the younger Scouts. Good Troop leaders change the older Scouts around and, of course, add new Scouts into the mix and they get older and more experienced. They also make sure that the older Scouts have different programs.
Yet when they reach the magic number of 16 and/or Eagle rank the Boy Scout program lose too many Scouts. The Venturing program could give them a new means to continue. A new advancement program. Trips and camping that are not for Scouts without training and experience.
I have seen so many Crews that are used by the adult leaders as a part of the Troop instead of being on its own.
Commets.

[WB Bear]

Apache Bob, we are on the same page about Venturing being an additional opportunity for the boys to stay in Scouting. But what troubles me is that the points you brought up points to problems with the Troops adult leadership and unfortunately it occurs. Retention is an issue BSA has always been concerned with and now they have included it in the Centennial Quality Award. I don’t want to see a boy leave his Troop because he is bored, unchallenged or dishearten.

[1st Mate]

here are a lot of reasons why Venturing has not caught on the way a lot of folks expected. And these are just my personal observations. One, it was a new program despite its many similarities to exploring, and new programs take time to get established...lots of time.

Secondly, very confusing marketing tactic. Its been 10 years and people still confuse Venturing Crews with Venture Patrols, and no wonder.

Most crews are started as extensions of troops who are looking for something for the 14 to 18 year old scouts to keep them in the program. The problem is they are under the same adult leadership, and if these folks can't deliver an adventurous program as Boy Scouts leaders how will changing their name to Venturers make them different leaders?

The incredibly low retention rate in Venturing nationwide proves this point.

The best Venturing I have seen (I am happy to say) is in Sea Scouting, even the national president of Venturing is a Sea Scout.

My opinion, we need to go back to the councils and re-explain Venturing. Crews do better when they are not associated with a troop, and when the program is used to recruit new youth into Scouting, or to transition older scouts as they prepare to leave scouting and offer them a new UNIQUE Scouting opportunity. And we need to change the term Venture Patrol to something less confusing.