DDHII

This issue has been brought up to the National Venturing Committee. Regionally, there are Jamboree-like events that are either Region sponsored or multi-council sponsored. Western Region will be having Venturing Viewpoint http://venturing.bsa-la.com/VenturingViewpoint/ in June 2006. Similarly, North East Region will be having Venturing Vortex, http://www.venturingvortex.org/, a Ranger based program this June. Likewise, Southern and Central Region have been doing similar activities.

Dale

Venturing Viewpoint Committee

Well, I never earned the Quest because I aged out a year before it was released, I earned the outdoor bronze in 8 months, and finished the Silver, Ranger, and Silver Hornaday within three years. On average, for each bronze 6 months - 1 year. Quest & Ranger at least 2 years.

Yes, you can wear the rank patches (First Class to Eagle) on your Kelly Green Venturing Uniform.

1. Yes

2. Yes, only at OA events

3. NO. We shouldn't mix & match Scouting and Venturing uniforms. The recommended uniform pants are gray Venturing pants (or other gray pants, such as Dickies).

Dale

Good to see some Cahuilla... go Snakepower! You're not alone in Western Region...

West is Best,

Dale

Wanakik Chapter

Welcome to the forums mhutch353.

The answer to your question is: No.

I understand your frustration with the A&H requirements. And the National Committee does too. Currently at this time, A&H is under review to change the requirements so it can better meet the various A&H crews out there. Eventually, there will be a medal available to earn for A&H.

YiV,

Dale

Welcome to the forums mhutch353.

The answer to your question is: No.

I understand your frustration with the A&H requirements. And the National Committee does too. Currently at this time, A&H is under review to change the requirements so it can better meet the various A&H crews out there. Eventually, there will be a medal available to earn for A&H.

YiV,

Dale

I don't see why "Advisors" wouldn't work for committee. The same would be for Scouters who are committee members.

Wouldn't the committee treasurer advise the crew treasurer?

Wouldn't the committee secretary advise the crew secretary?

Wouldn't the activities charperson advise the VP-program?

Wouldn't the committee chairperson advise the VP-administration?

There are several committee positions that advise crew officer positions, very much as troop committee members advise Scouts. The positions are very much the same, however now you're using different terminology.

You can still say "Hello Venturers and Advisors."

YiV & SS,

Dale

PS. Just another point, in Sea Scouts, it's "Scouts and Scouters."

To answer your original question:

Adult - Advisor, Associate Advisor, etc. Plural: "Advisors"

Don't forget Sea Scouting (a division of Venturing)

Adult - Skipper, Mate, etc. Plural: "Advisors and/or Skippers & Mates"

YiV & SS,

Dale

Hey there Craig!

It's great seeing you on this forum. By the way... do you have any more green Venturing knots or Sea Scouting knots?

Thanks...

Dale

CIEC

PS. Email me some time... I think you have my email...

Yes and No

Male Venturers can receive multiple credit for requirements, such as using American Red Cross First Aid. The only time a Venturer cannot receive multiple credit is when they are required to do a tabletop display or presentation. Requirements must be exact equals.

For instance, the backpacking merit badge does not equal the backpacking elective for the Ranger Award. Some of the requirements may count, but not all. They must be working on the requirements as a Venturer. The only exception is Open Water Diver, BSA Lifeguard, First Aid/CPR, etc where current certification is required, regardless of when it was completed.

YiV,

Dale

If its a Crew

What is their specialty? Outdoors? Religious Life? Arts & Hobbies? Sports?

I would contact religious institutions, corporations, schools, YMCA to find interest. Do an open house and recruit Venturers and do a Crew interest survey. Contact your local DE and fill out the applications.

For a more detailed, step-by-step instruction, please visit http://seascout.org/about/getting_started/how_to_organize_a_ship.html. This will also work for starting a Crew.

Dana,

It depends on what you are starting a Crew or a Ship?

If its a Ship

I recommend you contact your local US Power Squadrons chapter near you. You can find them online www.usps.org. They have a new program with Sea Scouting and will provide free training. For more info, visit www.seascout.org.

If its a Crew

What is their specialty? Outdoors? Religious Life?

OGE,

You're right... Venturing Commissioners are a rare breed. As an Assistant District Commissioner for Venturing as well, I have also noticed the same dilemma: The lack of experienced Venturing leaders wanting to become Commissioners. However, I remembered one thing my DC asked me to become a Commissioner when I turned 21. I hadnt been a Venturing Advisor yet (which is not a requirement), but had been an ASM for 3 years already. I had experience as a youth and earned Silver and Ranger.

The one thing I have learned as a Commissioner, is the new respect Ive earned from the Venturers parents. Do you realize how hard it is to earn respect from parents who feel youre just barely older than their kids (which I am, being 23)? The youth relate to us and are willing to talk to us. Most of these parents now treat me as their son, which is an honor. Being a college student, with hectic schedules from both work and homework, being a Commissioner is the best way to go. I dont have time for most outings or to be committed to one crew every week. But, I do have time for Roundtables, Commissioner meetings, the occasional monthly Crew visits (or phone calls), and the monthly VOA. Since Im an ADC now, Ive recruited two other UCs who have been Venturers before. Since they are also my college buddies, its great to see them and ask them about their Crews while were at a campus party. Its not easy being a young Commissioner, but the respect Ive earned and the leadership experiences Ive learned has actually helped me out in college term papers. Its a win-win situation. As Mastercard says: priceless.

Dale

The main problem with associated with electrolyte imbalance is that its difficult to recognize in the field. The most common sign with hypoelectrolytemia is muscle cramps. This is easily confused for heat stroke, dehydration, and heat cramps.

In order for physicians to diagnose electrolyte imbalances, a bicarbonate test is performed. The bicarbonate level is an indirect measure of the acidity of the blood that is determined when electrolytes are tested. The normal serum range for bicarbonate is 22-30 mmol/L. Remember, higher blood CO2 levels increase blood acidity, causing acidosis. The chemical notation for bicarbonate on most lab reports is HCO3- or represented as the concentration of CO2.

Voyageur is right on track with prevention. As my old Scoutmaster would say, its easier to protect yourself than to fix the problem once it has already started. However, I would like to add some caution to adding sodium to the diet. Most processed food already contains high levels of sodium. It may not be necessary to add any more. Increased levels of potassium in the diet can also help prevent this imbalance.

Also, thats a good recommendation with the Gatorade tasting weaker than one owns tears. .9% NaCl (normal saline, same as tears) is all thats needed for electrolytes. The purpose is to help encourage isotonic blood levels during physical activity.

For first aid, treat the patient the same for heat stroke, heat exhaustion, and heat cramps. Give them a sports drink (e.g. Gatorade). Note: Sports drinks are not energy drinks. Energy drinks contain high levels of caffeine, taurine, and other stimulants that are diuretics which promote dehydration.

Dale

Good Job Voyageur and you make an excellent point.

However, the signs and symptoms of hypokalemia (low potassium) and hypochloremia (low chloride) can also be potentially fatal. Water intoxication can decrease electrolytes (K+, Na+, Cl-) and increase the amount of CO2 in the bloodstream. This wreaks havoc on kidneys the most, adding to acute renal failure.

Decreased levels of electrolytes also increase BUN (blood urea nitrogen) levels which also exacerbate renal failure.

Good kidney function can help balance this problem, however, doing so adds strain on other vital organs by drawing nutrients away from them. This requires more energy (nutrients, including glucose) and more oxygen (adding to higher levels of blood CO2), thus causing fatigue, retroperitoneal pain (near the kidneys), and sub-gastric pain. Extreme cases, primarily with diabetic patients, can cause ketoacidosis.

Source:

Language of Medicine, 6th Edition

Emergency Care and Transportation of the Sick and Injured, 8th Edition

YiV,

Dale

Eamonn,

If you're talking about the old Kelly green Exploring uniform, they look just like today's Venturing shirts. If you have one, you can purchase Venturing bars that go above the Exploring bar. Note: This is not the Venture strip on Scouting uniforms. When BSA converted outdoor/noncareer Exploring posts to Venturing in 1998, the old uniform moved over as well... that's why we have green uniforms. At the same time, Sea Scouting was moved into Venturing. For 10 Trails End Popcorn points (or brownie points if you prefer), what's the reason for having red epaulet tabs on Scouts and green on Venturing?

If you're talking about the newer uniforms (e.g. police, fire, healthcare, etc), those depend on the post where they are chartered at. There are different uniforms for each career field. For example, many healthcare uses white or navy blue scrubs and police use blue Explorer shirts. Like Venturing, uniforms can vary from post. In general, LFL members do not wear uniforms (unless chartered at a private school, in that case, those belong to the school and not to LFL). Exploring posts determine the uniform(s) and the formalities to wearing them. Traditional police posts wear light blue shirts, navy blue slacks, black basket-weave leather belt, black shoes/boots, and appropriate hair cut (usually, one inch in bulk). Uniforms can be purchased through your council service center, local police/fire/EMS stores such as Galls, and other suppliers for such agencies. Scrubs can usually be purchased at the healthcare facility or other healthcare supply stores. The uniforms (brand, style, color, etc) are determined by the post and agency. Typically, all police are the same if they are in the same agency. The appropriate patches and insignia are also worn on the uniform(s).

I hope this helps,

Dale

One more thing...

You can order the knot #05526 from your local council service center.

I spoke to national Learning For Life (they handle the award, not the Relationships Division) and they told me, currently, no knot is available for the Young American Award. However, the past "official" knot that has been associated with the award is the Exploring Achievement Award. This is the same knot I described earlier in my post.

This knot is a catch-all knot that several awards are used for this knot. If a Scouter has earned several award that are listed for this knot, only one knot is worn on the uniform.

Currently, there are no plans to create a new knot for the Young American Award and this knot is acceptable to wear as long as the Supply Division has them on stock.

I didn't post this earlier, this award is availble to Scouts, Venturers, Explorers (and other Learning For Life members), and nonmembers of BSA alike.

This is good news for me since I dont have to remove the knot from my uniform. Also, some good news I learned, if a nominee doesnt receive the national award, they may resend an updated application the following year and try again.

Im not sure if this is news to any of you, but it certainly is to me. Ill be resubmitting my application for next years selection.

YiV,

Dale

Young American Award Council 02

Thanks everyone for your responces. I wanted to wait awhile before responding because I know this can be a touchy subject.

I took the liberty to contact national office today and spoke to Sharon (I don't know her last name), who is the National Venturing Division Secretary. She told me that it is acceptable for married couples to join as youth members, they just have to act as youth members and be appropriate. It isn't the policy of the BSA to discourage relationships amongst it's youth members, however, they need to be mindful of their company: single Venturers who might feel uncomfortable. It's more of guidelines of how youth members should act... like common sense. So, don't plan on seeing anything written down for awhile. National wants crews to set up they're own rules in their bylaws. It's up the chartering organization to make the final say on membership guidelines, but leave it up the the youth members to make that final rule. The same goes for over 21 married to under 21. They can be active in the crew, however no romantic physical contact can be made. As for the ethical concern (adult leaders in relationships with youth), this is something that can be debated through the crew and established through their bylaws (think ethical controversies for the Silver Award). What youth members do and adults do (within legal rights and accord to current BSA policy) outside of Scouting is their business. National does not want to see advisors dating their Venturers, however, it is ok if they belong to two separate crews. The key message is: Venturing is a place for young adults to seek truth, fairness, and adventure in their outdoor world; not for romantic relationships.

Thanks and YiV,

Dale

I used to be an Antelope! W4-45-03

Dale-a-lope

P.S. I just finished all of my tickets!

(sorry, this got omitted)

This question also applies for over 21 married to under 21, both over 18. Do you have any references for this policy? What are your thoughts on this?

Thanks and YiV,

Dale

Being a college student, I get to meet an excellent group of people who are both Venturers and young adults. It's great sitting on the fence watching youth and their adult counterparts work/play together outside of Scouting. It now comes to the point where a married couple, under 21 want to join Venturing where a crew is chartered at a local university.

What is the current policy of married Venturers (both under 21, over 18) sharing the same tents, buddy system, etc? This question also applies for over 21 married to

Yes, there is a knot for this. This is the same knot as the Explorer GOLD Award. This knot has a red, white, and blue background with a silver square knot with a silver border.

Qualifications:

- Have reached the age of 15, but will not be 26 years of age by June 1.

- Have achieved exceptional excellence in one or more of the fields of art, athletics, business, community service, education, government, humanities, literature, music, religion, or science.

- Have been involved in service in their community, state, or country that adds to the quality of life.

- Has maintained an above-average scholastic grade point average. (Provide a copy of current school transcripts with application.)

- Must provide with the application at least three letters of recommendation from your troop, post, crew, group, school, employer, civic, or community leaders.

Unlimited awards can be given from the council, only five can be awarded from national. Only one nomination from council can be sent to national selection per year. There is a $5,000 scholarship for national awards, however, check with your local council if there are local scholarships award winners.

Dale

Sorry to hear about Tim. I know him quite well with Western Region. As some of you may know, Matt Griffis was our past 2003-2004 Western Region Chief. Both are great men and I hope things get straightened out for Tim.

On a more personal note, it is not the policy of the OA or BSA to "cover up" anything. As youth-protection goes, if you've been properly trained you would know that confidentiality is a priority to the BSA. My good friend Mr. Bradley did the right thing.

I hope you enjoyed your time at NOAC.

WWW,

Dale

What is the current policy on youth members (i.e. OA Lodge Chief, VOA President/Boatswain) serving as voting members on Council Executive Boards and Council Committees?

- Dale