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From the National website. [by the way, there are no org charts at the National site.] The "About Venturing" page lists the 5 areas of Venturing: high adventure, sports, arts, hobbies, religious life, and Sea Scouting. [sea Scouts is just one of the 5!] National Youth Cabinet is composed of a National President and 4 Regional Presidents, all wearing green Venturing uniforms. The National Chief Boatswain is just one member of the Cabinet, not the boss. (that's the National President) The "Sea Scouts" page says: "Sea Scouts is a specialized segment of the Venturing program"

>but the Book is copyright 2002 and has not yet been >updated to include the changes that were made in 2003 by >the national Sea Scout Committee with dropped the youth >dress blues and removed the "bugs" from the the navy >cover. Then how are people supposed to know about these 'changes'? And bad idea about dropping the "bugs". They are there as part of the various items needed on a Sea Scout uniform to avoid confusion with Naval uniforms. Yet another unneed and poor change in the Sea Scout Uniforms that Commander Keane put in place in the 20s. Like to stupid dropp

>Just as you have Varsity Scouts in the Varsity program, >you have Venturing Scouts in the Venturing Program. The >term Venturers is also correct. I am not convinced that >this merits debate. Sorry, but the term "venturing scout" is not correct and never was. Venturers is the only correct term. Please show us when in any BSA literature this term is used. >You are not the only person with old handbooks, and rest >assured there are ample websites that have misinformation >on them. True, but my site is not one of them. I have yet to have anyone point out a

>I have a bunch now from Crew 697. > >Craig Murray's look very nice, too. > >Have you noticed any difference in quality between the two? Initially, I found Craig's to be better of any of the repro green knots. The earlier stuff from Crew 697 weren't that good. Since then, they've improved and I don't have a problem with either. I find Crew 697's Sea Badge knots better then what I've seen from others, and use theirs on my uniforms.

Yeash. You have a lot of misinformation >1. Venturing Scouts is also correct Sorry, no, it has never been. Please cite your source. The program is called "Venturing", youth members are "Venturers", units are "Venturing Crews". BSA literature only uses those terms. >2. Sea Scouting was around for 47 years BEFORE Exploring. >Here is something I recently learned Venturing is >technically under Sea Scouting (as was Exploring) not the >other way around. While the entire division is called >Venturing, the Sea Scouting coordinator is a member of >the executive

Again, multiple comments. * While the 'official' org charts do not set down the position of a Council Venturing Committee (as I said, most org charts you do see have the district support Venturing at that level from the existing camping, advancement, training, etc committees), MANY councils are seeing the wisdom in doing so and setting them up. Some of these councils may have already existing Sea Scout Committees, and ideally they will work together. Two of the councils I work with have them (I serve as the Vice-Chair in one, and a member of the committe in the other). I wear the "Coun

Sure!. My sources are- Craig Murray: http://www.sageventure.com/venturing/knots.htm (has a small selection, plus some nice additional items) Venturing Crew 697: http://www.geocities.com/venturing697/crew.html (don't agree with some of the knots they make. Some should NOT be made on green, but they make a wide range and very nice, too) I've used both, and have never had a problem.

"Just for Clarification to a privious posters comment...The reason the insignia Guide says that Sea Scouts cannot Wear the OA pocket Flap patch is that 1) Sea Scouts are not eligible for OA mebership (just like other Venturing scouts)." FYI- there is no such thing 'Venturing scouts'. They are Venturers. ALSO, Sea Scouts WERE eligible for OA membership. For decades, Explorers (which Sea Scouts were part of) could elect their members into the OA. "and 2) Sea Scout uniforms don't have pocket flaps!!!" Uh, my white and tan sea scout uniforms do! The absense of pocket f

A few comments. * Sea Scouts are part of Venturing, not the other way around. The literature that shows Council Commodores part of the Council Exec Board (which is true in most councils that have them), but not the Council Venturing Chair mainly came from the Sea Scout people, not National Venturing. As I pointed out, the National Sea Scout Committee is a SUB-Committee of the National Venturing Committee. Most of the org charts from National Venturing give NO proviso for a Council Venturing Chair or the like! They expect Venturing to be supported from the districts alongside Cub/Boy S

While I am not opposed to a 'Venturing honor society', I don't see what purpose the CoD serves that isn't already covered by the Council Venturing Leadership Award and Council Venturing Officers Association. Most of the people promoting the CoD seem reluctant to have it serve any purpose beyond 'you're a great Venturer, you're now part of the CoD, but we don't do anything beyond that'. MB

"Did the BSA issue official knots on Venturing Green again? Or are you referring to non-BSA issue insignia? No that I will split hairs, I have a Scouters Trainign Award, James E. West Fellowship, and Eagle Scout knot on one of my Venture Shirts that are in Venture Green, but not anywhere near official issue. " Nope. National still doesn't make them on green. I get my green knots from two sources, and recommend them to others. Also, they are not 'Venture shirts' or 'Venture Green'. Rememeber, Venture is another program. Michael Brown

"You know, and I know that the top button is supposed to remain unbutton when wearing the neckerchief under the collar. So help me convince Nephew to leave his undone. He doesn't think it looks right and absolutely insists on wearing it buttoned....this from a kid who has only worn a tie twice in his life. " Someone needs to educate 'Nephew' on how to wear shirts. As you point out, unless you are wearing a tie, the top button is left unbutton. Show him the pictures in the scout handbook and magazines. "Also - what are the feelings wearing the bolo instead of the Troop scarf? Even

"I understood Venturing to be part of the Sea Scout Program." NO. Sea Scouting is part of Venturing, not the other way around. Sea Scouting is one of the 5 'specialty areas' of Venturing, along with Outdoor, Sports, Arts/Hobbies, and Youth Ministries. The National Sea Scout Committee is a sub-committee of the National Venturing Committee. Being part of Venturing means that all Sea Scout Ships are a special kind of Venturing Crew, and all Sea Scouts (and their leaders) are members of the Venturing program and participate in Venturing program elements (advancement, training, etc).

Uniforming. Actually, like Venturing, you are not required to obtain a Sea Scout uniform. Most of the ships I am aware of in my area only use the uniforms for formal occasions (ie meetings), and go with t-shirts/shorts while boating. Actually, there are 3 Sea Scout youth uniforms: * light blue work uniforms (dungaree/chambray) * white crackerjack uniforms (summer whites for formal occasions) * navy crackerjack uniforms (winter navies for formal occasions). Most ships here in Florida have their youth either have the light blue work uniforms or white crackerjack uniforms.

FYI- Regardless of the toughness of the Ranger Award, the Silver Award IS the highest Venturing Award, and was designed such that any Venturer in any Crew could earn it. The Ranger Award is a 'specialty' award, aimed at those Venturers involved in outdoor/high adventure crews/activities. It's counterparts are the Quest (Sports/Physical Fitness) and Trust (Youth Ministries). ANY Venturer can earn ANY of these, but by the nature of the award, are aimed at the Venturer who is very interested in these particular areas, and is hopefully involved in a crew with that speciality. It i

All- It has clearly been stated in writing in the Boy Scout Requirements book and the Advancement Committee Guidelines booklet that any male Venturer under 18 who has earned atleast First Class may continue earning the Boy Scout Rank Awards and Eagle Palms. ALSO, please get the terminology correct. There are NO "Venture Crews" in the BSA. They are Venturing Crews Michael Brown

meamemg- Realize that those comments are addressed at the kids whose sole reason to be in scouts is to get Eagle, and nothing more. Anything that gets in the way of getting Eagle, they avoid (I've even met a few kids that didn't want to join the OA because it would delay them in getting their Eagle, and these are kids who are 13/14 year olds). And typically, once they've achieved that goal, they are gone. Getting Eagle was their only reason for being there. The worst of these are the ones who cut corners (many times with the assistance of their parents) and don't really achieve Ea

Most people use the term "paper Eagle" to refer to boys who are Eagle on paper. They got all the paperwork in (blue cards, etc.), but they aren't an Eagle in were it counts: in their hearts and minds, and rarely have even the basic scouting skills down. Typically, if one looks closer, you might find out that mommie/daddie made sure all the paperwork got done, even to the point of signing off on merit badges its doubtful he really earned. The issue of boys who are working for Eagle, and then quit afterwards is a different issue. Typically they (usually thanks to their parents) see Eagle

Venturing uniform policy (stated in both the Venturer Handbook and Insignia Guide) is that Venturers (who are 14-21) can wear the Eagle patch and AOL patch. They are NOT required to wear the Eagle/AOL knots at 18. Personally, I prefer ALL Venturers wear the knots for these 2 awards, but they CAN wear the awards. In Venturing, you are a youth until you are 21!

SFMike- I will agree that the commissioner was wrong to butt in at a court of honor to conduct a uniform inspection. It IS one of the duties of the unit commissioner to run a unit uniform inspection, but it should be done at a unit meeting, ideally with some advanced warning to give the boys the chance to correct issues, etc. And his inspection should be done in the spirit of pointing out errors that many mistakenly make (missing backing on service stars, etc), then in nitpicking things that really don't matter (last year's quality unit patch). However, you son was incorrect. Rega

It is unfortunate that you and your son don't seem to understand the concept of a uniform. Being the owner of it does NOT give one the right to wear it 'any way they see fit'. Uniforming means wearing it properly, with the appropriate insignia in the correct locations. This is why we have an Insigna Guide and Uniform Inspection Sheet (and commissionrs are usually expected to yearly do a uniform inspection). This has nothing to do with so-called "uniform police". The World Conservation Award has a specific place on the uniform, and its NOT to be worn in place of the World Crest. Y

Chris would wear: The Eagle Patch and AOL patch. The Hornaday Award knot Honor Award knot Venturing Silver Award knot VLA knot Ranger bar Explorer Silver Award knot (for the Explorer GOLD Award, if you can find one. Am suprised he earned it, because that award ended in 1998) Personally, I wouldn't have a problem with him wearing the Eagle and AOL knot instead. Also, the Eagle, AOL, and Hornaday knot can be obtained on green backgrounds.

First off, there is no such thing as "Venture Crews". Its "Venturing Crews". (Yes, there is a difference). Secondly, are scouts/scouters authorized to wear the MacLaren tartan? Scottish tradition says that only members of a clan may wear a clan's tartan. As I understand, there do exists 'organizational' tartans. I believe there may be a separate 'scout' tartan out there, as wearing a tartan is an option in Ireland and the UK, and this way all the scouts would wear the same tartan. Now, Wood Badgers who join the MacLaren clan (I've done so) might be allowed to wear the MacLaren tarta

Make up one. This is basically the one I used at the last minuted for officer inductions for my APO Chapter. (all elected officers should form in a line in front of the chapter. The Advisor should then swear in each officer in). Advisor: . Please make the Venturing Sign. Advisor: You have been elected to the position of . As it is your responsibility to . Do you understand these duties and swear to fulfill them to the best of your abilities? If so, signify by saying "I Do". Officer: I Do. Advisor: (repeats for each officer). Advisor: (to Crew). Members

Two responses: 1) if its so impossible to see the BSA Rules & Regs, how is it that I had no problem to order a set of these for about $3. I have Sept, 1998 and Jan, 2003 printings of both the BSA Charter & Bylaws and the BSA Rules & Regulations. 2) There is (was) both a Six-beader and a Five Beader. There is only one six-beader in the world: the Gilwell Camp Chief, who is responsible for Wood Badge world-wide. There is supposed to be only one 5-beader in each country that runs Wood Badge. They serve as the person in charge of Wood Badge in that country, and are called