Re: Venturing vs Explore
(no name) ((no email))
Sun, 17 Jan 1999 13:46:16 -0600
Dave Yanke <n9ssg@POBOX.COM> wrote and asked:
>My den went to a function put on by a local Exploring Post. When
>we recieved our patches, I made a joke about how they were
>collector items since they were listed as a Exploring Post. I was
>quickly told that they chose to stay in the Exploring program,
>rather then move to Venturing which "..is another division <part>
>of Scouting."
>
>Now I have been led to believe in my district, and here on
>Scouts-L, that Venturing replaced Exploring. Did I misunderstand?
They were correct.
Venturing replaced a PORTION of Exploring, more particularily,
those outdoor, seamanship and related, hobby and religious life
Exploring units as well as what we used to call "general interest"
Exploring.
Exploring is still going on, as an OUTSIDE program (not connected
officially with the BSA) as Learning for Life/Exploring for all
other Explorer Posts and ships.
Many Exploring units chose to stay Explorers because of their
connection with their chartering partner organizations; all
Exploring units were given until 1 August last year to make that
transition or stay where they were. Many didn't listen and got
caught; some local Councils responded by retaining them as
"Explorers" during the transition period but once their Venturing
program gets off the ground, those Exploring units will be cut off
and go over to Learning for Life permanently.
Many Exploring units are going to continue to have a strong
relationship with BSA units, and there's nothing wrong with that.
Likewise, they are going to continue to have Exploring insignia but
no real uniform to wear them on, since the former Explorer uniform
will now become the Venturing uniform.
So, if it's a outdoor, hobby or religious life related unit, it's a
Venturing Crew or Sea Scout Ship; if its anything else, it's a part
of Learning for Life/Exploring and they are still being called
Posts.
Settummanque!
(c) 1998 Mike Walton ("no such thing as strong coffee,...") blkeagle@mninter.net
http://mninter.net/~blkeagle Burnsville, MN 55306-7130 (612) 435-3085
privately at kyblkeagle@aol.com or waltonm@server.kaiserslautern.army.mil
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