Venturing is an inclusive program through the Boy Scouts of America for males and females aged 14-21 (or 13 and completed the 8th grade). It’s operated through Venturing Crews, units of youth and advisors that meet on set schedules and plan activities and events for youth!
The Venturing program aims to enable young adults to:
- Experience a program that is fun and full of challenge and adventure
- Acquire skills in the area of their crew’s specialty
- Become a skilled training and program resource for other youth groups
- Experience positive leadership from adult and youth leaders and be given opportunities to take on leadership roles
- Learn to make ethical choices throughout their lives by instilling the values of the Scout Oath and Law
- Have a chance to learn and grow in a supportive, caring, and fun environment
Venturing Awards
These Core Awards (Venturing, Discovery, Pathfinder, and Summit) serve as benchmarks along a Venturer’s journey. They follow the Venturing ALPS program model, whichprovides a framework for a dynamic program of Adventure, Leadership, Personal growth, and Service. They are designed to work with crews of any specialization.
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Venturing The first step in any journey is the courage to begin. At this level, the new crew member makes a commitment to join and move forward into the experience of Venturing. Learn More |
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Discovery The adventure of participating with the crew unfolds, and each Venturer begins to discover his or her interests and talents. As the Discovery Award recipients develop new skills and competencies, their eyes are opened, and the world expands for them. Learn More |
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Pathfinder The Venturer’s capabilities and skills expand, and with them come increased responsibility for defining their own way forward in life, service to others, and formal planning and leadership of the crew toward its goals. Learn More |
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Summit Award The highest award of Venturing, the Summit Award, goes to those Venturers who have matured in their personal direction, skills, and life competencies, and who have accepted the responsibility to mentor others and serve their communities in a lasting way. Learn More |
Speciality Awards
Venturers are encouraged to explore their interests and passions. The Venturing specialty awards, while not a part of the core Venturing recognition program, allow Venturers to discover certain areas more in depth. The Ranger Award, Quest Award, TRUST Award, and Nova Awards allow Venturers to discover the outdoors, sports, their faith, and science respectively.
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Ranger Award The Ranger Award exemplifies a challenging high-level outdoor/high-adventure skills advancement program. Once earned, it will identify a Ranger as a person who is highly skilled at a variety of outdoor sports and interests, trained in outdoor safety, and ready to lead or assist others in activities. Learn More |
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Quest AwardWhile working on the Quest Award, Venturers will be required to learn more about what makes up a nutritional diet as well as design their own personal exercise plans based upon lifestyle, fitness levels, and desires for a healthy and long life. Hopefully this program will introduce Venturers to a sport or sports that they will enjoy the rest of their life. Learn More |
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Trust AwardTrust is an essential aspect of our relationship with others – both personally and corporately. Learning to trust is the challenge. Today young people live in an increasingly pluralistic society made up of multiple nationalities, cultures, and religions. One way to work toward a safe future is to learn to get along and work together. Understand is a good start toward trust. While working on the TRUST award, Venturers will learn more about themselves, their communities, their religion and culture, as well as those of others. Learn More |
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Nova & Supernova AwardThe Boy Scouts of America developed the Nova Awards program to excite and expand a sense of wonder in our Scouts. By working with an adult counselor or mentor, the various modules allow them to explore the basic principles of STEM and discover how fun and fascinating STEM can be. The Supernova awards are offered for those who enjoy a super challenge. Learn More |
Leadership Awards
The Venturing program is designed to develop those who participate in it into experienced leaders. To recognize those who have shown exceptional dedication and service to the program, the Venturing Leadership Award (VLA) and the Unit Leader Award of Merit were created.
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Venturing Leadership Award The Venturing Leadership Award is presented by councils, areas, regions, and the BSA National Council to Venturers and Venturing Advisors who have made exceptional contributions to Venturing and who exemplify the Scout Oath and Scout Law. Learn More |
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Unit Leader Award of MeritThe Unit Leader Award of Merit is presented to unit leaders to encourage units to be strong and viable by attaining certain benchmark characteristics of strong units. The top youth leader for the unit must nominate the unit leader he/she has met seven requirements. The nomination is certified by the unit commissioner. Learn More |