Venturing Crews
For Information on how to start or join a Venture Crew contact
or
What Is Venturing?
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's purpose is to provide positive experiences to help young people mature and to prepare them to become responsible and caring adults. Venturing is based on a unique and dynamic relationship between youth, adult leaders, and organizations in their communities. Local community organizations establish a Venturing crew by matching their people and program resources to the interests of young people in the community. The result is a program of exciting and meaningful activities that helps youth pursue their special interests, grow, develop leadership skills, and become good citizens. Venturing crews can specialize in a variety of avocation or hobby interests.
Goals
Young adults involved in Venturing will:
- Learn to make ethical choices over their lifetimes by instilling the values in the Venturing Oath and Code.
- Experience a program that is fun and full of challenge and adventure.
- Become a skilled training and program resource for Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and other groups.
- Acquire skills in the areas of high adventure, sports, arts and hobbies, religious life, or Sea Scouting.
- Experience positive leadership from adult and youth leaders and be given opportunities to take on leadership roles.
- Have a chance to learn and grow in a supportive, caring, and fun environment.
Ethics in Action
An important goal of Venturing is to help young adults be responsible and caring persons, both now and in the future. Venturing uses "ethical controversies" to help young adults develop the ability to make responsible choices that reflect their concern for what is a risk and how it will affect others involved. Because an ethical controversy is a problem-solving situation, leaders expect young adults to employ empathy, invention, and selection when they think through their position and work toward a solution.
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.
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Crews:
Crew 33-Carrollton LDS
Chartered Organization: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
Meeting Time: 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday's
Meeting Place: Carrollton LDS Church, 601 Stewart Street, 30117
Unit Leader: Rick Whitaker, Barry Barton
Crew 6617-Carrollton
Venture Crew 7
The next Social for Crew 7 September 12th at the Ag Center, 7:00PM, Carrollton
The next Crew Social members will work on their Native American Regalia for our training in October. Bring fabrick and things you may need to cut material. Stright pins and anything you can think of you will need to cut out your material. Sewing stuff too.
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Venture Crew 7 is HERE!
There is a commonly held belief that thousands of years ago, that is as the world today counts time today, Mongolian nomads cressed a land bridge to enter the western hemisphere, and became the people now know as American Indians. The true story of course is that the raven found our forefathers in a calm shell on the beach at a place called Naikun. At the raven's bidding the first people entered a world populated by birds, beasts, and creatures of great power. Well, that at least has a little bit of truth in it. by Gill Reid, Haida
Venture Crew 7 is formed as a high adventure scouting organization. Crew members study American Indian lore, history and learn the old ways by doing. An example is that when camping the Crew camps as Native Americans may have camped two hundred years ago. Crew members find they like the challange of living in the old world without cell phones, Ipods and television.
If you would like to join this crew contact a member or just attend a social to see if you like it
Why we became Venture Crew 7
In following the old ways, it seemed only right that the sacred number of the Cherokee, seven, be selected as our unit number. The number 7 had and has many meaning to the Cherokee tribe. As Crew 7 we strive to recognize the old ways and meanings and try to see how the Great Spirit, even today, watches over his peoples.
The seven Cherokee Clans
Ancient Cherokee or Ah-ni-yv-wi-ya society was traditionally grouped around a social organization of seven clans. These were:
- Blue (also Panther or Wild Cat) Clan (a-ni-sa-ho-ni) in Cherokee) made a medicine from a bluish colored plant called the Cherokee black drink for purification ceremonies.
- Long Hair (also Twister, Hair Hanging Down, or Wind) Clan (ah-ni-gi-lo-hi) in Cherokee wore their hair in elaborate hairdos, walked in a proud and vain manner twisting their shoulders. The Peace Chief was usually from this clan.
- Bird Clan (a-ni-tsi-s-qua) in Cherokee) were the keepers of the birds, skilled in using blowguns and snares for bird hunting.
- Paint Clan (a-ni-wo-di) in Cherokee) made red paint and gathered the sacred colors used in the ceremonies.
- Deer Clan (a-ni-a-wi) in Cherokee) were the keepers of the deer and were known as fast runners and deer hunters.
- Wild Potato (also Bear, Raccoon, or Blind Savannah) Clan (a-ni-ga-do-ge-wi) in Cherokee) gathered the wild potato in swamps along streams for food.
- Wolf Clan (a-ni-wa-ya) in Cherokee) was the largest and most prominent clan providing most of the tribe's war chiefs. They were keepers of the wolf and the only clan who could kill a wolf.
The number "seven" was sacred to the Cherokee from ancient times. It represented the seven levels of spiritual attainment and the seven levels of material manifestation in the world of the Cherokee. It also represented the seven levels of the universe in Cherokee spiritual beliefs.
The Cherokee had a matrilineal society, a social system in which their descent was traced strictly through their mother's side of the family. The most important man in the life of any Cherokee child was their mother's brother. Discipline and instruction in hunting and warfare rested not with the child's father, but with his maternal uncle.
The clan provided many important functions including care for orphans and the destitute, and hospitality for visiting clan members from other towns. This practice was referred to as Gadugi in ancient times. Their Leader was called Moytoy.
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FAQs - Wondering about something?
Will there be girls in Venture Crew 7?
Yes, there are already members of the crew who are girls. Girls think it is cool to be a Boy Scout. It is a good place for sisters too. Then they can get to go out and do fun stuff.
Can I as a Boy Scout be in the Crew and still be a member of my troop?
Yes, scouts who are old enough to be in the Crew will be members of both your own Troop and the Crew at the same time. There is no cost to be a member of the crew as long as you are a member of your troop. Advancement is done with the Troop. The Crew will only be about having fun and learning the Old Ways.
I heard that we could be charter members of the Crew. How is that done?
Yes, boys and girls may be charter members of the Crew if they join by March 15, 2009. After that people can still join just may not be Charter members. All Charter members will pay a fee of ten dollars. Every Charter member will get a special certificate and a special token or totem that only Charter members will have.
When will the meetings be, I have lots of other stuff I am doing and my troop already meets every week.
The formal business meeting of the Crew will only be once a month. It will meet at the Ag Center in Carrollton across from the jail on the last Thursday of the month each month. Meeting starts at 7:00PM and will end at 8:30. These meetings are not required except for officers and for youth who want to be involved in making up the schedule of things the Crew will be doing. The Crew is a fully youth lead organization; adults will only advise and support youth activities.
Also, unscheduled but planned social events will take place when you wish and plan them. Things like meeting at the DQ and Pizza parties will be on the activities list along with other outings.
My Scoutmaster makes us come to all the meetings and that gets hard. Do I have to come to all the meetings?
No, attending meetings are not required to be a member. If you miss nothing will happen except you will most likely want to check in to MyVentureCrew.ning.com to see what you missed.
My sister has a friend that said she would like to join something where kids get to go camping. Can she join the Venture Crew even though she is not a scout?
Yes, girls who are 14 years old or older can join the Venture Crew. They can bring their friends just to visit too. The only cost for a girl to join is the ten dollars membership fee.
I heard camping was going to be hard. Does everyone have to go camping?
No, only members who want to go camping will be going. In fact, no outing is required to be a member. Mostly we just want the kids to have fun and do the stuff they want to do.
What is the story on a uniform? Someone said we could pick it if we were members but I keep seeing those green uniforms around.
VC 7 has not picked a uniform yet. See, the rule is that the youth members get to pick what the uniform will be. The adults won't care as long as the selection is reasonable. Lots of Boy Scout folks don't understand the uniform thing for Crew members so don't go by what they say. It is always ok to have the BSA Green Venture Uniform and when we go do official stuff the officers will most likely want to have an official uniform.
If the Crew is only going to meet once a month, how will the members keep up with each other?
First, there well most likely be more meetings than once a month. It is just that the formal business meeting is held once a month to keep things on track. The other gatherings could be anyplace the Crew members pick. There may be months when there are no meetings. So, to keep up with what others are doing a special social network has been set up. Go to MyVentureCrew.ning.com and see how using a Facebook type page will keep everyone up to date on things going on. There is information on the 3RiversBSA.com website too under Venturing.
How much will it cost to be a Venture Crew member?
It cost ten dollars a year to be a member of the Venture Crew. If we go on outings where there is a cost each person will pay their own way. Like if we go for Ice Cream. I would pay for what ever I want to get. When we go on outings, like white water rafting, then each person will pay their part.
Will the Venture Crew have equipment like tents or do we bring our own?
The Crew does not plan to own or purchase equipment. However, there may be some things the Crew wants that will have a cost. One example is the Venture Crew 7 flag. The Crew will need to buy that. The Venture Crew officers and members will decide how to get money for projects like the flag. Also, about once a year, the Crew may want to do some project where they can make some money for the Crew. There can also be donations made to the Crew. There will be a Crew Treasure to watch the account and they will be helped by an adult advisor from the Crew Committee.
Will there be like a Senior Patrol Leader and patrol leaders?
Not exactly. There will be a Crew President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasure. There could be other officers too if the Crew wants more. Each of the officers will be elected by youth about once a year. Nominations for office should come in January and the actual election in February. If an officer needs to be replaced for some reason that can happen any time until the next election.
I got confused. Do you have to be a member of the Order of the Arrow to be in the Venture Crew?
No, Order of the Arrow members can be in the Crew but anyone who is 14 years to 20 years old can be a youth member. Boys or girls, it does not matter.
I told my mom about the Crew and she has lots of questions. She wants to know who she ask about the Venture Crew
Questions can be emailed to Mr. Langley at 3RiversBSA@gmail.com or she can call at 678-315-3356. He doesn't do text messaging so don't even try.
One of the kids told me about MyVentureCrew.ning.com. Can anyone join that?
Anyone who is a member will be automatically invited to join. Kids who what to think about Venture Crew can ask a member to help them join and keep up with things the crew is doing. Some stuff, only Crew members can do other times anyone can come and have fun.