© 2000-2002 Jim Winters
| Vol. 3 No. 1 |
© 2000-2002 Jim Winters |
Jan-Feb, 2003 |
The Venturing News is BSA's official Venturing newsletter. The site is "an information venue for the Venturing Division of the Boy Scouts of America. Its sole purpose is to disseminate new information to the adult and youth leaders of the Venturing movement." The first issue was published in December, 2001. Future issues should be published approximately monthly. Subscribe by sending them an e-mail.
Boy Scouts of America, National Office
The 2001 National Boy Scout Jamboree
Boy Scouts of America, Supply Division
BSA Council locator
Lord Baden-Powell University of Scouting
New Zealand Venturing Web Site
National Venturing Cabinet
Central Region Venturing
Southern Region Venturing
Puerto Rico Teen Leaders Council
BSA - Venturing (no frames)
BSA - Venturing (frames)
BSA - Powderhorn
White Stag Leadership Development for junior leaders
BSA's High Adventure Database lists all council-operated high-adventure trekking programs that span at least five nights and six days. A few programs of lesser duration are included as specialty adventure programs.
Venturing Out - Keys to Safe Driving is the online version of the BSA's CD-ROM. It includes lots of good information and is fun!
National Boy Scout Training Task Force includes a bulletin board-type discussion forum on training issues. They are specifically gathering comments on Boy Scout Junior Leader Training to help guide future revisions, but also have forums on other training issues such as Scoutmaster Training and Venturing.
The United States Scouting Service Project, while not a BSA-sponsored site, has a tremendous variety of resources available. Also look at MacScouter - Scouting Resources Online for many additional resources.
Conneticut Rivers Council venturing
resoruce page.
Goose Greek District Venturing
Home Page
Western Los Angeles Area Council - Venturing
Page
Connecticut Rivers Council
Potomac District, National
Capitol Area Council
Greater Western Reserve Council
Northwest Suburban Council
Northwest Suburban Council Venturing Page
Singal
Hill District Venturing Page
Crossroads Distrist Venturing Page
South Florida Council
Greater St. Louis Area Council
Greater St. Louis
Council Exploring & Venturing
Greater Alabama Council
Creek District
La Salle Council
Chief Seattle Council
Chief
Seattle Council - Venturing
Longs Peak Council
Housatonic Council
Heart of America Council
Grand Canyon Council
Katahdin Area Council
Tidewater Council
Tidewater
Council Venturing page
Indian Nations Council
Northern New Jersey Council
Cherokee Area Council
Desert Pacific Council
Desert Pacific Council's High Adventure Page
Greater Pittsburgh Council
Greater
Pittsburgh Council's Venturing Site
Daniel Boone Council
Blue Ridge Mountain Council
Ventura County Council
Longhorn Council
Atlanta Area Council
Hightower
Trail District
San Francisco Bay Area Council
Sam Houston Area Council
Gulf Coast Council
(Florida), Unofficial and training only.
Simon Kenton Council
Sinnissippi Council
Cornhusker Council
Cascade Pacific Council
Cascade Pacific Council Venturing page
Greater New York Area Councils
Staten Island
Venturing
Cape Cod & Islands Council
Great Southwest Council
Rio Grande
District
Northeast Pennsylvania Council Venturing
Quivara Council (Wichita, KS)
Des Plaines Valley Council Venturing page
Hiawathaland Council
Mt. Diablo Silverado Council
Silvergate District
North Florida Council
East Texas Area Council
Greater Yosemite Council
49er District
Detroit Area Council
Southwest Michigan Council
Palmetto Council
Sea Scout Central Flotilla
National Quartermaster Association
Venturing Crew 520, Fort Walton
Beach, Florida
Venturing
Crew 13, Charlotte, North Carolina
Venturing Crew 25,
York, Pennsylvania
Venturing Crew 464, Woodland Hills, California
Venturing
Crew 1550, Leesburg, Virginia
Venturing Crew 3, Bartlesville,
Oklahoma
BSA Troop 24, Berkley, California
Venturing Crew 551, Kenosha,
Wisconsin
Venturing
Crew 947, Collierville, Tennessee
Venturing Crew 37, De Leon,
Texas
Venturing Crew 296, Albuquerque,
New Mexico
Venturing Crew 4, Littleton,
Colorado
Venturing Crew 999, Morganton,
North Carolina
Venturing Crew 377, Gloversville,
New York
Venturing Crew 42,
Barbour, West Virginia
Venture Crew 360, Snohomish and Lake Stevens,
Washington
Venturing Crew 691, Selmar, Tennessee
Venturing Crew 801, Brea,
California
Venturing Crew 976, Dunedin, Florida
Venturing Crew 70, Homestead,
Florida
Venturing Crew 43, Miami, Florida
Venturing Crew 72, Woodsboro,
Texas
Venturing Crew 2, Roslyn, New York
Venturing Crew 39, Forsyth County, Georgia
Venturing Crew 621, Leesburg,
Virginia
Venturing Crew 951, Valpariso,
Indiana
Venturing Crew 0199, Fishers, Indiana
Venturing Crew 448, Portland, Oregon
Venturing Crew 2828, Fairfield County, CT
Venturing Crew 775, Vineland, New
Jersey
Venturing Crew 868, Beaverton, Oregon
Venturing Crew 317, San Juan,
Puerto Rico
Venturing Crew 7, Diamond
Bar, California
Venturing
Crew 1711, Houston, Texas. This is really a troop site but includes some
great photos of the 5th Nippon Venture Jamboree, Kuju Plateau, Oita,
Japan, 27th July - 10th August 2000.
Venturing Crew 1776, Lynchburg, Virginia
Venturing Crew 1234, Rockwood, Michigan
Venturing Crew 369, Columbus, Ohio
Venturing Crew 544, Camp Tuckahoe,
York-Adams Area Council, Dillsburg, Pensylvania
Venturing Crew 136, Baton
Rouge, Louisiana
Venturing Crew 7, Niantic, CT
Venturing Crew 72,
Boulder, CO
Venturing
Crew 1-800, Walled Lake, MI
Venturing Crew 1360, Gainesville, VA
Venturing Crew 83, State College,
PA
Venturing
Crew 179, Blanchester, OH
Venturing Crew 60, Casper, WY
Venturing Crew 2882, Columbia City,
IN
Troop
43, Sun Prarie, WI
Venturing Crew 696, Hinesburg, VT
Venturing
Crew 99, Huntsville, TX
Venturing Crew 746, San Fernando Valley, CA
Venturing Crew 677, Jericho/Underhill,
VT
Venturing Crew
179, Blanchester, OH
Venturing Crew 7, Diamond
Bar, CA
Venturing Crew 136 Grove City, OH (includes
pack, troop, and crew)
Venturing Crew 62, Colorado Springs, CO
Venturing Crew 3, Jacksonville, FL
Venturing Crew 5, Big Spring, TX
Venturing Crew 476, Palatine,
IL. This is the Lakota Dancers site.
Venturing Crew 862, Rolling Meadows,
IL. This civil war re-enactment crew was highlighted in the May,
2001 issue of the Venturing Electronic Magazine.
Venturing Crew 68, Lake Zurich,
IL
Venture Crew 937, Oxford, OH
Venturing Crew 9213 Neenah, WI
Venturing Crew 221, Albuquerque, NM
Venturing
Crew 911, Loren, OH. This site isn't exactly the typical crew site. Instead,
it describes a fund raising activity that looks like a lot of fun and might
bring in quite a bit of cash if done properly.
Venturing Crew
396, Annapolis, MD
Venturing Crew 831, Midlothian,
VA
Ventuing Crew 100, Midlothian, VA
Venturing Crew 599, Grayson, GA (high adventure)
Venturing Crew 1733, Grayson, GA (living
history)
Venturing Crew 10, LaVale,
MD
Venturing Crew 25, Pittsburgh, PA,
otherwise known as the Pittsburgh Pfadfinder Studentenchor,
a group of vocal venturers focusing on traditional men's choral music.
Venturing Crew 360, Pittsburgh, PA
is the sister High Adventure complement of Crew 25, above.
Venturing Crew 78, Benicia, CA
Venturing Crew 1776, Lynchburg,
VA
Venturing Crew 444, aka American Odessey,
North Carolina (Crew is composed of students at North Carolina High Schools
and Universities.)
Venturing Crew 61, Valrico, FL
Venturing Crew 2030, Lockport, NY
Venturing Crew 746, Van Nuys, CA
Venturing Crew 1020, Rowlett, TX
Venturing Crew 295, Lodi, CA
Venturing Crew 23, Yankton, SD
Venturing Crew 287, Portage, MI
Venturing on the Web has a great list of Venturing Crew web sites in organized by state. Check it out whether you're looking for a specific crew or just browsing.
Sea Scout Ship North Star (Ship 90),
New Milford, PA
Sea Scout Ship 956, Dunedin, FL
Sea Scout Ship Hathor (Ship
1), Zenda, WI
Sea Scout Ship 72,
Boulder, CO
Sea Scout Ship Chaser (Ship 90), Napa, CA
Sea Scout Ship Challenger (Ship
145), Redwood City, CA
Sea Scout Ships Corsair (Ship
22) and Viking (Ship 100), San Francisco, CA
Sea Scout Ship Gryphon, Redwood City,
CA
Sea Scout Ship Orion (Ship 132), Santa Rosa,
CA
Sea Scout Ship Sea Witch (Ship 236), Concord,
CA
Sea Scout Ship MV Sea Dart
II (Ship 228), Elizabeth, NJ
Sea Scout Ship Belmonster (Ship
161), Redwood City, CA
Sea Scout Ship Black Prince
(Ship 1663), West Hills, CA
Sea Scout Ship 839, Aurora, CO
Sea Scout Ship Seward (Ship 5678), Seware, AK
Sea Scout Ship City of Roses (Ship 601), Portland, OR
Sea Scout Ship Yorkshire (Ship 25), York, PA
Sea Scout Ship Dolphin (Ship 6), Atlantic Highlands, NJ
Kirkeøy Sea
Scout Group, Halver, Norway
1st Colerne Sea Scout
Group, North West Wiltshire, United Kingdom
Grupo 5 Stella Maris, Vera Cruz, Mexico (Spanish
only)
6th Shoreham-By-Sea
Sea Scout Group, Shoreham-By-Sea, England
1st Warsash Sea Scout Group,
Warsash, England8th
Worthing Sea Scout Group, West Sussex, England
18th Inverness (Muirtown) Scout Group, Muritown, Scotland
Senior Scouting History
Exploring/Venturers Officers/Advisors (EVOA)
is coming soon. Make a suggestion about what you'd like to see on the site.
Exploring/Venturing On-Line
Jeremy Kuhar's Venturing site contains information
related to the 2002 & 2003 Venturing Rendezvous and the Venturing Dispatch,
the Northeastern Pennsylvania Council's official Venturing newsletter.
The Venturing Notebook has
a great deal of information about planning super activities and other major
events.
The three following web sites are maintained by Richard Axtman:
Scouts NewEngland
Scouts NewEngland Network, with
over 800 members in 42 states and 16 countries.
World Scout Exchange --
links to over 200 Scouting clubs Yahoo Clubs.
Ranger and Silver Awards, Past and Present tells the story of these awards through the years.
While Venturing doesn't utilize merit badges directly, a number of the Venturing awards make use of skills Boy Scouts develop while completing a merit badge. MeritBadge.Com is the premier on-line resource for information about merit badges. They give complete requirements for each merit badge and worksheets to help as well.
The Venturing Corps of Discovery is an non-BSA program that asks "Interested in a way to recognize the outstanding youth leaders in your Crew or Ship? A way to let the youth who need recognition receive it, whether they are with you for a year or six years? Whether they work toward the Venturing Recognitions or not?" You'll find all the details here.
If you're looking for an unusual and rewarding experience, consider an international exchange visits and travel. BSA's International Division and The ScoutTraveler Project can help you make contact. Also consider making contacts via ScoutLink IRC.
The United Methodist Church's Ministry of Scouting web site contains resources for scouters of all types. Many are specific to the UMC's programs and/or programs for younger boys and girls but some are appropriate for the general Venturing community.
Information related to the Catholic Church's scouting activities can be found at the Catholic scouting committee's web site.
Visit National Jewish Committee on Scouting BSA web site for complete information on Jewish scouting opportunities. Included are world-wide links to units charted by Jewish organizations. Sorry, no Venturing Crews are listed as of this writing (May 2002).
The Eastern Orthodox Committee on Scouting site strongly affirms the Church's role in Scouting. I particularly like the description of "What does Scouting offer a Church?" and "Scouting in the Parish Life" found on the What We Offer page.
The Association of Baptists for Scouting web site is a resource for Baptist clergy and laity interested in Scouting.
The National Association of Presbyterian Scouters web site provides a variety of resources for Presbyterian scouters. Look at the Get Publicity link for good suggestions on press releases.
The National Lutheran Association of Scouters site offers news bytes and describes a number of scouting opportunities in both BSA and GSA.
The Members of Churches of Christ for Scouting web site actually recognizes Venturing exists! A photo of a Venturer even occupies a prominent position on the home page.
Some OA Lodges publish "where to go" guides for their districts and surrounding areas. Look at these links for more information.
This book, currently available at the Scout Camps USA web site, is a compilation of material "gleaned from leader guides, brochures, and fliers... Camp listings and descriptions in the Y2K edition were "derived from 1999 camp information."
The United States Scouting Project is putting together a list of some 1100 Scouting properties and information about each of them at ScoutCamps.Org. Check it out and feel free to let them know about any camps offering high adventure programs.
Scouter Network's BSA Camps has an excellent index of camps as well as links to other resources.
The Wilderness Medical Society has a variety of publications for sale on wilderness first aid, medical procedures, etc. They also provide some public educational information available in Adobe PDF format. An example: Wilderness First Responder - Recommended Minimum Course Topics. This is NOT a distinctly BSA-oriented site but contains material important to Venturing.
Although Philmont doesn't have an official web site, there are numerous unofficial sites devoted to the many activities found there.
Philmont Staff Association has put together an excellent site to help all interested in a Philmont adventure. Go here first if you're interested in planning a Philmont trip.
2000 Philmont Training Center's Venturing Crew class photographs, resources, etc.
Another good place to stop is Seldon Ball's "partial list" of Philmont-based web pages. The list is very comprehensive and includes an outline-format table of contents.
Florida's SeaBase is a good source of information about their numerous high adventure programs. Topics range from planning a SeaBase adventure to employment opportunities.
The BSA's Northern Tier Canoe Bases offer scouts (and Venturers) some of the best canoeing anywhere. A variety of programs are available during the summer and some in the winter. The bases are located at Ely, Minnesota; Atikokan, Ontario; and Bissett, Manitoba. Some of the programs don't fill up as fast as those at Philmont and Florida Sea Base so, if you're looking for a true adventure, check them out.
John Swift Base Camp is part of the Greater St. Louis Council. It's been around for over 13 years but still isn't well known. It's dedicated to Venturing and Exploring. Boy Scouts are not allowed. Note: This site is temporarily off line pending major updates and revisions. It should be up again soon.
An older site, with photos, is still on line.
Also visit Robert Rescot's site for some photos of the John Swift Base Camp.
The Greater Alabama Council's new X-Base looks like a marvelous place. It was developed for Venturing Crews. Makes me want to visit! Perhaps unique among BSA sites, the opening page uses a "Flash" movie to catch your attention. A complete brocure is available here.
Long's Peak Council's Elkhorn High Adventure Base caters to Scouts and Venturing Crews, and has them in attendance concurrently during the regular camp season.
Rollins Pond Adventure Base is operated by the Northern New Jersey Council. The camp is located in Altamont, New York, between Saranac Lake and Tupper Lake. It is available to Venturing Crews.
If your crew is looking for a US summer or winter high adventure course, try Daniel Webster Council's White Mountain High Adventure Base. The program is designed especially for Ventures. The winter program includes snow camping and ice climbing at Camp Bell in the five square mile Griswold Scout Reservation in New Hampshire. Summer programs take groups all over northern New England and can include bike trips, canoeing, sea kayaking, SCUBA, sailing, mountain biking and rock climbing, backpacking trips in the White Mountains, and various combinations with different time schedules.
The Blue Ridge Mountain Council's High Knoll Trek is a 50-mile backpacking trip sometimes called the "Philmont of the East". Other high adventure programs abound at the council's camps, including SCUBA certification, white water rafting and rappelling, climbing, and the "Mountain Man Outpost".
Ranger Camp is a joint effort of the Northeast Georgia Council and the the U.S. Army 5th Ranger Training Battalion. This is the only camp of its kind in the country and encompasses climbing, rappelling, and a view of what it takes to be an U.S. Army Ranger. Folks who have been there say it's an awesome experience.
Gerald I. Lawhorn Canoe Basepart of Flint River Council's Camp Thunder, offers several high adventure options. Located about 5 miles outside of Thomaston GA, you can pick one they have created or create your own. Options include climbing, rapelling, a carolina swing, tubing down the Flint, swimming, SCUBA, high cope, low cope, canoeing and kayaking.
Gardner Dam Camp's (Bay Lakes Council, WI) high adventure programs include Project COPE, climbing, kayaking, canoeing, and mountain biking. The Excursions Program combines whitewater kayaking or canoeing, a climbing wall, and a 35 mile overnight mountain biking trip for a more varied experience.
Camp Greenough, Yarmouthport MA (Cape Cod and Islands Council) has a High Adventure program for Scouts and Venturing Crews. They will custom your trip to your needs. You will bike for 4-5 days and camp on the outermost part of the Cape, deep sea fish, kayak, and whale watching trips and digging clams at sunrise to be cook at the end of the week with a Cape Cod Clambake.
The Cape Cod Maritime Adventure is open to Scouts and Venturers aged 13 by January 1 of the year of participation. Crew size is 6 to 11 persons, including adult leadership. At least one adult leader (age 21 or older) must accompany each crew. Coed Venturer crews must have at least one adult female leader and one adult male leader, each of whom must be at least 21 years of age.
The cost for the Outer Cape Trek is approximately $375.00 per person, including meals, program equipment, scheduled activity expenses and a participation patch.
To register, contact the Council Service Center (508-362-4322) for a detailed information packet and registration materials or e-mail Kevin Medeiros, DE Cape Cod and Islands Council.
The council also has a CD-ROM detailing their High Adventure Treks. They run high adventure weekends that run Thursday - Sunday and is just a smaller version of the week long program. The CD describes the facilities and equipment listed along with details on family camping at Camp Greenough. Contact Jeff Stranger for a free copy of the CD-ROM.
Raven Knob Scout Reservation (Old Hickory Scout Council), is located in the mountains outside of Mt. Airy, North Carolina. Their high adventure program, Rampage, is billed as "the perfect combination of thrills and challenges from Caving, Whitewater Canoeing and Rock Climbing, to Waterskiing, Motor Boating, and an even Emergency Wilderness Rescue." Check out the Raven Knob web site for more information.
Hanna Venture Base offers three Treks for your group to choose at Hanna Venture Base. All options come with food, activity and camping equipment, transportation, recognitions, and trained adult staff (male and female) included with the fee. These treks are available to Boy Scouts or Venture Crew members, age 14 or older.
The Northwest Suburban Council (Chicago area) runs a Venturing Weekend at Camp Napowan, Wild Rose, WI as well as 5 different week-long high adventures that Venturers can go on. The weekend is at Camp Napowan, Wild Rose, WI and all week-long treks start at Napowan.
Call the Northwest Suburban Council camp hotline at 847-635-9404 with questions about specific treks.
Want to something extra special this summer? How about a week of high-adventure activities at 7,000 feet? How does rock climbing, rappelling, canoeing and mountain biking sound -- and that's just for a start! That's the Sycamore High Adventure Program. It starts on July 13,and is based out of Camp Raymond, in the high pine country. Interested? Click here for details.
Keewatin Sailing Cruises, Marsh Harbor, Abaco, Bahamas, provides a variety of cruise opportunities in the Bahamas. Learn the practical and theoretical aspects of seamanship and sailing with one on one expert instruction in snorkeling and marine life identification. Candidates will be instructed and expected to participate in the many experiences that live-aboard cruising entails such as helmsman ship, piloting, sail handling, small boat operation, knotting, and day to day maintenance. The cost per camper are $560 per week or $80 per day. 50% is payable with your reservation and the balance by travelers cheques or cash on boarding. Cruises accomodate 16 campers or less. Deluxe cruises for a maximum 8 persons are available upon request. Group rates are available. Keewatin has been a contractor with SeaBase's Bahama operations since 1998.
When it was announced that the Bowline list was shutting down, a group of folks promptly started the VenturingList. You can subscribe via e-mail (leave the body of the message blank) but you'll get the most benefit ... file libraries and searchable archives, especially... if you're a member of Yahoo! Groups. Go to Yahoo! Groups Login page and sign up, or sign in if you're already a Yahoo! member. Then search for venturinglist. The search returned three choices, the venturinglist being the first. Click on the hyperlink and then click [Join This Group] on the upper right margin.
The Bowline Scouting Community went off-line October 1, 2001. The United States Scouting Service Project took over Bowline's Venturing List. Go to the USSSP lists web site to subscribe.
USSP also hosts a online forum for discussing issues at that has a section on Venturing.
The The Venturing List Knowledge Base is a side-by-side compilation of the Yahoo! Groups and USSP mailing lists in web format. It's an excellent resource for following and searching archives for both lists.
Others coming as I hear about them... So send them in.
Please e-mail me if you would like to add a site, have questions or corrections, or just want to get something off your chest.