I've been involved with Venturing since the earlier part of the 2009 year. At first I thought I was just getting involved in another part of the Boy Scouts. I was totally wrong. Venturing is about high adventuring and taking part in activities that a person would not do in their day to day life. Unlike the Boy Scout, Venturing does not have any rank advancements that a member needs to achieve. However, Venturing does have awards that individuals can achieve through high adventure and taking part in Venture Crew events. But, they are totally optional and one can work on them as they choose, Remember Venturing is all about having fun! Venturing also give a person opportunities to meet new people! With this, I highly encourage anybody to join a Venturing Crew. Who knows, maybe you will find yourself on the adventure of a life time through Venturing! Please take some time to explore the Venture Crew website and see if it is something you would like to be involved in.

Dustin Q.

In 2003... I was asked to start a get involved in Venturing by starting a Venturing Crew, and I thought to myself, "Why would anyone want to get involved in Venturing?" At the time it was viewed by many as a competing program to the long established programs of Boy Scouting and Cub Scouting.  It was new and still very undeveloped (Venturing was introduced in 1998).  It was a drastic change from other BSA programs. It didn't require special uniforms and there were no "rank" advancements.  Venturing is different! It is high adventure.  It is social activities.  It allows girls.  It is lead by the Crew members. Seriously!? This Venturing stuff was definitely not a program like the Boy Scout and Cub Scout programs that I was so familiar with.

So why would you want to become a Venturer or a Venturing Adult Leader?

Venturing IS different! It is not the standard program of just ranks, uniforms, badges and meetings.  It focuses on individual achievement and individual goals that met with a team of friends.  It is as much or as little as one wants to put into it. The focus is entirely different as well.  The youth members of the Crew can decide the direction they would like to go with the guidance from their advisors.  The emphasis of the different Venturing Crews vary from seeking high adventure, religious or youth ministry, hobbies, community service, or simply for social activity.  No matter what the focus of your Crew may be, Venturing will always encourage you to try new things.  It encourages you to: gain knowledge while you seek adventure, to experience new things and to enhance your skills. Venturing encourages you to use the skills you have learned and to teach them to other members of your Venturing Crew.

If you are thinking about joining a Venturing Crew, I hope that you seriously consider it. There are so many opportunities available.  Just check out the pictures on this website as well as the upcoming events calendar!  All of these pictures are from Venturers right here in Northeast Iowa and the many events that are available to them. There is always something going on.

Terry Demmer
NEIC Venturing Chairman