“After being in Venturing for four years and experiencing the opportunity of being a council officer, I think the Venturing Program is one of the best youth organizations of all time. Venturing gives teens opportunities that teenagers don't normally get to do. For instance last summer, I got the opportunity to be on staff at the International Sea Koch Cup. I was able to meet people from New Zealand, Australia, and Norway and I still keep in touch with most of them today.” - Robin Raines, OCC Venturing President. ‘06/‘07

“My Skipper helped me acquire valuable nautical skills…piloting and seamanship. I learned how to lead my crew aboard a boat on our Ship’s “Long Cruise.” It inspired me to learn more at the US Naval Academy. I graduated, and earned my commission as a Navy ensign. I saw the world from the periscope of nuclear submarines and from the bridge of destroy- ers. It was the thrill of lifetime. Sea helped me achieve my dream!” - Dick Cuciti, former Sea Scout, USNR

“Council events are the perfect time to network and to meet people my own age. The Shoot Out gives me a chance to handle and shoot guns, which is something I would never do if it weren't for Venturing. At the Venture Out I am able to show off my knowledge of the wilderness when I participate in the engaging relays.” - Kimberly Triffet What is Venturing all about? Venturing is the fastest growing program in the , its success is due to the active nature of the program. Venturing is specifically tailored to teenagers. The emphasis on extreme sports, coed involvement and determining and leading the activities themselves, young men and women view the program as one they can make their own.

With the involvement of community-based organizations and corporations, Venturing is an opportunity for adult volunteers and youth to take a chance on new experiences!

Who can join? Venturing is a youth development program of the Boy Scouts of America for young men and women who are 13 (and have completed the eighth grade or 14 regardless of grade) through 20 years of age. Scouting experience is not required.

1 Why do teens join? Why not? When activities are driven by the age group that will be participating, the interest to join and be an active member is increased. The Crew activities vary according to the Crew’s special interests. Some Crews do advanced camping, while others focus on different outdoor activities or hobbies. The leadership of the Crew comes from the youth members themselves, so the activities meet their expectations.

As preparation for college admission becomes more of a focus for teens, the leadership opportunities that are encouraged through Venturing can make a fantastic addition to admission forms and the activities are exactly the experiences that make for great college essays.

How are Crews formed? Local community organizations establish a Venturing Crew by matching people and resources to the interests of young people in the community. The result is a program of exciting activities that help teens pursue interests and develop leadership skills. Venturing Crews participate in everything from extreme high adventure, sports, arts, religion, sailing and other areas of interest.

The members recruit one another from their high schools, sports teams, church groups and friends. When young people hear about the activities that Venturing Crews are sharing, like scuba diving off Catalina Island, trips to Costa Rica or biking Pacific Coast Highway from Los Angeles to San Diego, they are moti- vated to make their crews strong and strengthen thier community.

2 Program Goals • To gain practical experience. • To engage in a program with a variety of activities encouraging development of the whole person. • To experience positive leadership from adult and youth leaders and experience opportunities to take on leadership roles. • To learn and grow in a supportive, caring and fun environment.

Program Leadership Venturing Youth Officers direct events and activities for the entire Council. These leaders are a support group for your own local Venturing Crew. Youth Leadership Opportunities Crew Roles Council Roles Regional National Roles President Council President President National President Vice President, Admin. Vice President, Admin. Vice President, Program Vice President, Program Treasurer Treasurer Secretary Secretary Boatswain

The , Boy Scouts of America is divided into 9 Districts. Typically, the Districts cover one or two cities geographically. At Venturing’s Council wide “Forum” meetings, resources and updates on upcoming activities are offered to Crew members and Advisors.

Annual Council Venturing Events Several events throughout the year compliment the programs of individual Crews • Venturing Out – Weekend focused on challenging team building activities and competitions. • Venturing Shootout – Shooting instruction and competition. • Annual Dinner –Awards banquet recognizing outstanding youth and adults.

3 Training Youth and adults are prepared for leadership and activities through training.

As many Venturing activities are held outdoors and are of the physical nature, it is imperative that both youth and adults are trained.

Visit the Venturing Training section of the Orange County Council website (www.ocbsa.org) for the latest schedule of trainings.

Awards There are seven opportunities for crew members to earn awards based upon accomplishments, leadership and service.

Bronze Award Silver Award Gold Award Trust Award Quest Award Religious Awards Quartermaster Award Award

Insurance The Boy Scouts of America, as part of its registration fee, provides all Crews, Charter Partners, registered volunteers and youth with general liability insurance.

“Venturing gives teenagers a chance to hang out together in an environment where there is no pressure to be in a relationship. You are not forced to do anything you are not comfortable doing, which is a great thing for me because it allows me to be myself and to let my guard down because I know I will not be judged.” - Kirstina James

4 Council Facilities With five distinctive properties in the Orange County Council family of facilities, VenturingVenture Crews Crews have have easy easy access access to tofantastic fantastic outdoor outdoor adventures. adventures.

Newport Sea Base 1931 West Coast Highway Newport Beach, CA 92663 949.642.5031 • www.newportseabase.org Programs include: Sailing, canoeing, motor boating, kayaking, oceanography, marine biology, environmental science, home base of Sea Scouting.

Schoepe Scout Reservation At Lost Valley Warner Springs in San Diego County. This is a full service summer camp that offers weekend camping year-round with an on-site ranger. Camping, COPE Course (team building and confidence course), shooting sports, archery, swimming, canoeing and horseback riding.

Schoepe Scout Reservation at Lost Valley has two full service dining facilities that your group can take advantage of through advance reservation,reservation, or you can do your own outdoor cooking. Price range: $25 weekend to $300 week.

OSO Lake Rancho Santa Margarita Located at the top of Los Alisos Blvd. near the Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park. This facility offers day use fishing and picnicking limited weekend camping and additional activity programs.

The Irvine Ranch Center 2 Irvine Park Rd • Orange, CA 92669 • 800-436-2119 www.outdooreducationcenter.org Facility will include weekend camping, archery, shooting sports, swimming, and various specialized classes scheduled with our volunteer staff. This facility is especially designed and available for retreat events and trainings for VenturingVenture youth. youth.

Additional Information For information on how you can be a part of Venturing, contact the Orange County Council, Boy Scouts of America William Lyon Homes Center for Scouting 1211 East Dyer Road • Santa Ana, CA. 92705 Phone: 714.546.4990 • Fax: 714.546.0415 Website: www.ocbsa.org

Ask for the District Executive serving your city. 5 Venturing ......

Cub Scout Pack Boy Scout Troop Venturing Crew

Joining requirements Boys, ages 7-10 Boys, ages 11-18 Co-ed, ages 13-20

Adult Leader Cubmaster Scoutmaster Advisor

Youth Leader Senior Patrol Leader President

Uniforms Official blue or tan Official tan The Crews choosing – spruce green uniforms or polos are available. Many crews create their own.

Swimming Swimming Snorkeling Scuba/Surfing

Climbing Commercial Wall Climbing Tower, Caving, C.O.P.E. Project C.O.P.E. snow & ice climbing

Shooting Sports B.B. Gun, Archery .22 Rifle, shotgun Blackpowder, Pistols Hunting

Hiking Maps, Compass Orienteering, G.P.S. Geocaching, Mountaineering

Outdoor Programs Overnight, Wilderness Survival, Search & Rescue, Resident Camping Long-Term Camp Long-Term High Adventure Trips, Sailing

Aircraft Orientation Flight Orientation Flight Ground School, Hands-on Flying Experience Snowmobiles Vehicles Older Boy Scouts only Snowmobiles

6 Orange County Venturing by the Numbers

• Seven national recognized awards for youth. • Five hours of training for adults, including youth protection.

3035Venturers 128 Sea Scouts 637 Adult Volunteers 229 Crews 4 Sea Scout Ships

Our Scout Shops also have additional detailed resource books and materials for adult and youth Venturing leaders.

Scout Shop addresses are:

Santa Ana Scout Shop (The largest store) William Lyon Homes Center for Scouting 1211 East Dyer Road • Santa Ana, CA 92705 ph. 714.979.4554 • fax 714.979.4561

Anaheim Scout Shop 1501 N. Raymond, Suite “O” Anaheim, CA 92801 ph. 714.774.3270 • fax 714.520.6729

Laguna Hills Scout Shop 25292 MacIntyre, Suite “P” Laguna Hills, CA 92653 ph. 949.639.0320 • fax 949.639.0319 7