Welcome!

With the recent mailing of Venture Crew applications many teens and parents will likely be visiting this site for information on the St. Joseph Venture Crew.

One of the best resources to read is the downloadable file "Venturing as Youth Ministry" this booklet compares the aims of Catholic Youth Ministry to the goals of the Venturing program.

The addition of a Venture Crew will not eliminate the traditional youth ministry program in our parish, instead the Venture Crew (members of our Youth Ministry ages 14-20) will serve in a leadership capacity within the traditional program. In late August or early September the crew will hold an "Open House" to recruit additional members, and an election of officers will take place among the members.

From that point on the Venture Crew will plan and run the Youth Ministry events with guidance from a group of adult advisors.

In addition to the youth leadership structure the Venturing program provides it also provides us access to the resources of the Boy Scouts of America, such as training for adult leaders, additional youth protection training, use of Scout facilities, and liability insurance.

Also, under the direction of the National Catholic Committee on Scouting, Venturing is able to offer a number of youth awards that our members can work toward earning.

The Venturing Program is a welcome addition to St. Joseph Youth Ministry and will provide additional support to our existing program without changing out mission or the flavor of what is already being done.

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 vocation 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.
• Acquire skills in the area of religious life.
• 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.

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.

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.

Dear Father,

     You are the creative origin of all I am and of all I am called to be. With the talents and opportunities I have, how may I serve you best? Please guide my mind and heart, open me to the needs of my country and of the world, and help me to choose wisely and practically for your honor and glory and for the good of all those whose lives I touch.