Venture Scouting in Plano

By William Hemenway

Venturing is a youth development program of the Boy Scouts of America for young men and women who are 14 (and have completed the eighth grade) through 20 years of age.  Venturing crews usually have a focus on an area of high adventure activity. Backpacking, Whitewater rafting, sailing, Rock climbing, cycling, Flying and other activities. Almost all of these activities are represented in the Plano Addison, N. Dallas Metro area. 

The Crew usually meets about 2 times a month to plan quarterly activities. These meetings have a planning time, some training, and a social aspect. Getting to know each other and the skills or interests that each have. There is an adult advisor team to help direct the crew in the planning process so that they can safely plan and execute activities. 

Most of the following is from the venturing website: http://www.scouting.org/venturing/

There are many Crews which are coed and some that are not. You will find a contact and list on that web site. 

Venturing is a Division of the Boy Scouts of America. Venturing is a new "old" program of the Boy Scouts of America. Originally part of the Exploring Division, it finally came into its own in 1998. It has become the fastest growing program of the BSA. Young adults have found through the Venturing program the outlet they have been looking for in their age group. There are continued misconceptions about what Venturing is all about. Venturing is not for young boys and girls but rather for young adults. They are able to do more and go further as a Venturer or Sea Scout in a Venturing crew or Sea Scout ship.

Venturing provides positive experiences to help young people mature and to prepare them to become responsible and caring adults. Venturing provides the skills needed for young adults to make ethical choices, experience a fun program full of adventure and challenges, acquire leadership skills, and to take advantage of opportunities to advance their skills and knowledge in the areas of high adventure, sports, arts, hobbies, religious life, and Sea Scouting.

Methods 
The aims of the Boy Scouts of America are to build character, develop citizenship, and foster personal fitness. The Venturing methods listed below have been carefully designed to achieve the aims of the Boy Scouts of America and meet the needs of young adults.

Leadership 
All Venturers are given opportunities to learn and apply proven leadership skills. A Venturing crew is led by elected crew officers. The Venturing Leadership Skills Course is designed for all Venturers and helps teach them in an active way to lead effectively.

Group Activities. 
Venturing activities are interdependent group experiences in which success is dependent on the cooperation of all. Learning by "doing" in a group setting provides opportunities for developing new skills.

Adult Association 
The youth officers lead the crew. The officers and activity chairs work closely with adult Advisors and other adult leaders in a spirit of partnership. The adults serve in a "shadow" leader capacity.

Recognition 
Recognition comes through the Venturing advancement program and through the acknowledgement of a youth's competence and ability by peers and adults. 

The Ideals
Venturers are expected to know and live by the Venturing Oath and Code. They promise to be faithful in religious duties, treasure their American heritage, help others, and seek truth and fairness.

High Adventure
Venturing's emphasis on high adventure helps provide team-building opportunities, new meaningful experiences, practical leadership application, and lifelong memories to young adults. 

Teaching Others
All of the Venturing awards require Venturers to teach what they have learned to others. When they teach others often, Venturers are better able to retain the skill or knowledge taught, they gain confidence in their ability to speak and relate to others, and they acquire skills that can benefit them for the rest of their lives as a hobby or occupation.

sample list

Plano, TX 
Crew 555 LDS - Plano 9th Ward/Plano Stake 
Crew 1004 LDS - Plano 9th Ward/Plano Stake 
Crew 1776 Plano Rotary Club 
Crew 85 Santa Maria Council 6065 Knights Of Columbus 
Ship 300 First Presbyterian Church 
Crew 1177 LDS - Plano 7th Ward/Plano Stake 
Crew 1066 LDS - Plano 6th Ward/Plano Stake 
Crew 1133 LDS - Plano 4th Ward/Plano Stake 
Crew 27 LDS - Plano 3rd Ward/Plano Stake 
Crew 1134 LDS - Plano 1st Ward/Plano Stake 
Crew 1088 LDS - Plano 8th Ward/Plano Stake 
Crew 2187 LDS - Frisco 3rd Ward/Carrollton Stake 
Crew 291 First United Methodist Church 
Crew 25 Custer Road United Methodist Church 
Crew 288 Disciples Christian Church 

Richardson, TX 
Crew 1026 LDS - Garland 3rd Ward/Richardson Stake 
Crew 262 Canyon Creek Homeowners Association 
Crew 895 Waterview Church Of Christ 
Crew 1997 Alpha Epsilon Zeta Chapter APO 
Crew 2485 Plano Richardson BPO Elks Lodge #2485 
Crew 44 Arapaho Methodist Church 
Crew 1002 Trinity Bible Church 

Addison, TX 
Crew 390 Civil Air Patrol Tx 390 Addison Eagles 

    Last updated: 06/15/06