Venturing

For Girl Scout Leaders

Girl Scout Leader Challenges • Keeping 14 to 18 year old Girl Scouts “engaged” in the troop• Challenging Senior Girl Scouts, and retaining Cadet and Junior

Girl Scouts• Competing with older Girl Scouts’ interests; school, sports,

freedoms (cars, relationships, jobs)• Providing leadership/role model opportunities to all older Girl

Scouts• Giving Cadet and Junior Girl Scouts something to anticipate

beyond the troop• Consistently offering exciting program

14 to 18 Year Old Girls Want:

• Opportunity to do what the boys do (camping, hiking, backpacking, canoeing, caving, white water rafting, shooting).

• Control of their environment (and destiny).• Independence.• A sense of belonging and acceptance from their peer

group, inclusion in a group.• Inclusion in a non-judgmental atmosphere.• Activities with boys.

14 to 18 Year Old Girls Need:

• Consistent adults that “Walk their talk.”• Character and ethical education outside the

classroom.• Positive adult role models, female and male.• Opportunities to become proficient at

something.– Need to discover their talents– Need opportunity to learn and hone skills

• Leadership opportunities.

Here’s Venturing• The young adult program of the BSA for

– Young women and men– 13 & completed the 8th grade (or 14) – Through 20 years of age

• Youth member is a “Venturer”• Venturing units are “Crews”• Venturing adults are “Advisors”• Youth leader is the “President”• $7 membership fee - same chartering process

Venturing Program

• Venturing Aims: Character, Citizenship, Fitness• Venturing Methods:

– Adult Association– Leadership – Scouting Ideals– Group Activities – High Adventure– Recognition– Teaching Others

Why Should a Troop Consider a Venturing Crew?

• The Venturing program complements the Girl Scout troop. It adds exciting new advancement and leadership opportunities for older girls.

• Venturing leverages the Boy Scout infrastructure (adult and youth training, programs, camps)

• Venturing allows flexibility, so girls can participate in both programs.• Venturing can help solve many of the Girl Scout leader’s challenges.• Venturing meets the wants and needs of 14 to 21 year old young

women.• Venturing provides a way for fathers to share Boy Scout experiences

with daughters

Female Venturers May ContinueTo Work Toward Silver Trefoil / Gold

Award Board of review can be conducted by the troop or crew. If registered in both the troop and crew, can receive multiple

credit for many Bronze, Gold, Silver and Ranger requirements. May use crew leadership positions and participation.

What Does Venturing Offer Senior Girl Scouts In Your Troop?

• Advancement opportunities for girls interested in progressing beyond Gold Award.

• Unique, exciting awards and recognition for girls out of the advancement loop.

• Activities with boys and girls their own age.• Leadership skills training for ALL members, not

just officers.• Venturers can give leadership to the troop

through the Ranger program, etc.

How Does a Troop and a Crew Work Together?

• Older Scouts (14 to 18 years old) and adult leaders can be members of both units; primary registration in the troop and multiple in the crew.

• The crew meets separately from the troop twice each month and has occasional activities with the troop and many on their own.

• Venturers in the troop (especially troop leaders) are expected to participate in both units.

• Venturers teach and provide program.• Encourage Cadets and Juniors to see the Crew as

extension of the Service Unit.

Example: A Senior Girl Scout• Monthly outings (e.g., hiking, skating, snow-tubing, lock-ins)• Took and taught Venturing leadership training• Council and Area events (e.g., Quest)• Organizing Council events (e.g., Venturing After Dark)• Skills training (C.O.P.E. Instructor, Archery Instructor)• Pistol/Rifle/Shotgun/Blackpowder shooting• Worked as staff for Boy Scout programs

– District Camporees– High adventure activities

• 11 Day Trek to Florida Keys• Earned Silver Trefoil

And that was only 2009-2010!