Venture Crews in Troops-Part III
CoopWright (CoopWright@AOL.COM)
Sun, 24 May 1998 22:40:02 EDT
As the Venture option in the district began to take off, the Venture
committee became concerned that the program had possibly given our adult
leaders license to take their scouts in harms way. Where could adults go to
learn how to safely plan and conduct a high adventure activity? Both
Scoutmastership Fundamentals and Wood Badge teach basic camping skills. These
are fine for first and second year scouts. However, when you begin to
backpack or canoe, you need a set of different skills. The committee did not
want a scout or adult injured during a Venture activity because of a lack of
training. As a result, the district established its fourth initiative, a
Venture Leader Training Course.
Using bits and pieces from the Varsity Scout Leader Fundamentals, BSA No.
33443, as well as existing training programs being offered by the Baltimore
Area, San Diego County and San Francisco Bay Area Councils, a Venture Leader
Training course was developed. This two weeknight, one weekend training
course concentrates on the basic skills that an adult must have to plan a
safe, but challenging Venture outing. Although the emphasis is on
backpacking, these skills constitute the core knowledge that must be mastered
to handle Venture activities. They are also easily transferred to other
activities such as canoeing, rock climbing, caving etc. Sessions taught
include the Venture Scout Program, Understanding the Needs of the Older Scout,
Planning for a Venture Activity, Personal and Crew Gear, Wilderness First Aid,
Terrain Appreciation, Stoves, Trail Cooking and Cleanup, and On the Trail.
Participants are broken down into Venture Crews for the entire training
session. The outdoor session stresses low impact camping; i.e. no chuck
boxes, coolers, gas lanterns or lawn chairs. The training is hands-on stuff,
requiring the participants to do instead of listen. Practical exercises are
designed so that they can be taken back to the troop and used. The course has
been taught six times with over 170 participants with excellent reviews. The
syllabus has been sent to National BSA for their review and comment.
As a result of nine years effort, the district's Venture program is alive and
growing. More and more troops are putting high adventure activities in their
annual troop programs. In 1997, over 35 crews (from a population of 80
troops) participated in some form of summer high adventure activity. The
bottom line is that the district is able to retain more of its older scouts,
as well as many of its scouters who are looking for new and different
challenges.
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City |
