Venturing

For Young Men and Women Ages 14 Through 20

Venturing is an effective coed young-adult program designed to improve character, citizenship, and fitness. Venturers learn and exercise leadership skills through social and outdoor activities and community service projects. Venturing provides a variety of challenging activities to teach young people ages 14 through 20 the real-world meaning of values, ethical decision-making, and life skills.

Venturing teaches leadership and problem-solving skills to help young people mature into confident, successful adults. Each Venturing crew organizes around a special vocation or interest of the youth members. The specialty clusters include outdoors, sports, arts and hobbies, youth ministry, and Sea Scouting.

The purpose of Venturing is to provide positive experiences to help young people mature and to prepare them to become responsible and caring adults.

Six Critical Elements of Healthy Youth Development

1. Strong personal values and character
2. A positive sense of self-worth and usefulness
3. Caring, nurturing relationships with parents, other adults, and peers
4. A desire to learn
5. Productive/creative use of time
6. Social adeptness

The results of research conducted by Louis Harris and Associates for the BSA demonstrate that each of these important elements is addressed through the Venturing structure of teaching leadership and ethical behavior, learning to serve the community, wholesome activities, and recognition of individual achievement.