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47-658: The Venturing Summit is the highest rank for youth in the Venturing program of the Boy Scouts of America . It requires Venturers to earn the Pathfinder Rank, participate in adventures, and demonstrate leadership, service and personal growth. This rank consists of three elements: a badge, a medal and a knot insignia. The badge is a rotated square cloth patch, with the Venturing Summit rank emblem and

94-625: A broader program for young men, with the minimum age lowered to 14 years old. Explorers received a new advancement program, which lead to the Silver Award. Explorer advancement was dropped in 1959. The Air Explorer program was dropped in 1964 and the Sea Explorer program had changes made, appealing more to older youth with career exploration becoming a bigger part of the program. The BSA admitted young women ages 14–20 beginning in 1969. Many posts became co-ed. The focus on career exploration

141-472: A condition of membership. Learning for Life is a series of school-based programs for use by schools and educational organizations in the areas of character education, life skills, building self-esteem, and developing ethical decision-making skills. The participant program categories, each with its own Learning for Life curriculum developed by the national office, consists of programs covering pre-kindergarten through Grade 12: Curriculum used for these programs

188-539: A crew, and fulfill requirements relating to emergency preparedness, leadership skills, and ethics-in-action. The Silver Award was replaced by the Summit Award starting in 2014 and was discontinued on January 1, 2015. The award consisted of a medal suspended from a white ribbon with green stripes; the ribbon is suspended from an antique silver colored bar bearing the word VENTURING. The medal is an antique silver colored roundel with red, white and blue enameled stripes,

235-408: A field such as law enforcement , fire and emergency service , health careers , engineering , aviation , skilled trades , and technology . Exploring posts or clubs do not wear an official uniform. Any uniform worn is related to the type of career on which the post or club is focused. For example, youth in law enforcement Exploring posts and clubs wear a modified law enforcement uniform, similar to

282-541: A number of recognitions presented by local councils for Exploring adult volunteers and community organizations, the most prestigious of which is the William H. Spurgeon III Award . The Learning for Life office also promotes the Young American Award which recognizes outstanding young women and young men who excel in academics, sports and hobbies, community life, and civic service. These awards (which include

329-691: A scholarship) are presented at the annual meeting of the BSA National Council. During the late 1970s and throughout the 1980s, over 40 BSA councils organized innovative, non-traditional programs called In-School Scouting. These units were in public schools (usually in low-income neighborhoods), where the schools invited the BSA and other partner organizations such as the Girl Scouts of the USA and Camp Fire USA to provide Scouting programs as part of

376-428: A separate 501(c) 3 non-profit status. This occasionally leads to difficulties with grant-making agencies that do not desire to indirectly support the BSA due to its policies (see Boy Scouts of America membership controversies ). The Learning for Life Foundation exists so that local councils can apply for grants or funding from organizations or corporations that do not allow discrimination of any type. Councils work with

423-554: A specialty for their crew, plan program for the upcoming year, train their crew's members, recruit new Venturers, and give service to their communities. The Crew Advisor exists to help guide and mentor youth crew officers and members as they lead their crew. Depending on the size of the crew, the Crew Advisor may choose to recruit Crew Associate Advisors. Above the crew level, Venturing is led by Council, Territory, and National Venturing Officers' Associations (VOAs) The purpose of

470-466: A two-year effort including grass-roots task forces led to the development of Learning for Life, including its name. The Learning for Life affiliate was launched in 1991 as a separate 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization from the BSA to continue serving youth through public schools and educational organizations with specially developed curriculum separate from traditional Scouting, and with distinctive programs that no longer used traditional Scouting methods like

517-426: Is based on lesson plans developed over the years by teachers and school volunteers. It was originally modeled on lesson plans adapted from Scouting meeting plans, but has been revised substantially so that it currently has little resemblance to Scout meetings. Learning for Life programs emphasize the need to reinforce self-esteem and recognize student achievement and participation through recognition programs. Most of

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564-487: Is not considered a traditional scouting program; it does not use the Scout Promise , Scout Law , uniforms or insignia of traditional Scouting. All Learning for Life programs are open to youth and adults without restriction based on gender, residence, religion, sexual orientation, or other considerations, other than minimum age requirements. Exploring posts require background checks for adults over 18 years old as

611-472: Is required every two years. Learning for Life Learning for Life ( LFL ) is a United States school and work-site based youth program that is an affiliate of the Boy Scouts of America . It utilizes programs designed for schools and community-based organizations that are designed to prepare youth for the complexities of contemporary society and to enhance their self-confidence, motivation, and self-esteem, and for careers. Learning for Life

658-674: The Scout Oath and Scout Law . Participants in Learning for Life programs would be open to both sexes at all program levels (unlike Cub Scouting (Boy Scouts of America) and Boy Scouting), which allows the BSA to provide in-school programs if the traditional girls' agencies are not able or willing to do so. All existing programs called In-School Scouting, as well as the large number of Career Awareness Exploring posts (where youth participation consisted primarily of career seminars during school hours) were rolled into Learning for Life. This had

705-596: The Silver Award . The knot is to be worn above the left pocket by adults who achieved the Summit award while they were a youth. No youth can wear this knot on any uniform, instead they wear the rank patch and/or the medal. The Summit Award replaced the Silver Award on June 1, 2014, with the Silver Award discontinued as of December 31, 2014. The first presentation of the Summit Award was on February 16, 2015, by former BSA National President, Wayne Perry . In August 2020

752-432: The BSA nor subject to membership restrictions such as faith requirements, other than minimum age requirements. The health and safety policies of Learning for Life are very similar to those used with BSA programs. Although the national Boy Scouts of America organized Learning For Life as an independent affiliate of their own organization, in the local Boy Scouts of America councils the Learning for Life program does not have

799-737: The BSA's national restructure in 2021, there were Council, Area, Regional, and National VOAs. The nation was divided into four regions: Central , Northeast , Southern , and Western . Combined, there were 27 areas – seven in the Central Region, six in the Northeast Region, nine in the Southern Region, and five in the Western Region. Post restructuring the country was divided into 16 national service territories, each with its own VOA. Any Venturer who has achieved

846-806: The Cub Scouting Arrow of Light , the Scouts BSA Eagle Scout , the Sea Scouting Quartermaster Award , and the Varsity Scouting Denali Award . Using the United States Military as the model, silver awards are higher than gold awards in the BSA. Other Scouting movements have similar programs and awards. Venturing (Boy Scouts of America) The Venturing program was founded by Richards Miller . While

893-578: The First Class rank as a Scout in a troop (or did so as a Varsity Scout in a team) may continue advancement toward Star, Life and Eagle Scout ranks, and Eagle Palms, up to his or her 18th birthday. Venturers must meet the requirements as prescribed in the official Scouts BSA Handbooks and on Scouting.org. As the Venturer meets requirements for the Star and Life ranks, a Board of Review is be conducted by

940-1043: The Learning for Life programs include the use of wall charts, recognition stickers, iron-on emblems, and certificates produced by the national Learning for Life office. There are also recognitions for schools, principals, teachers, and volunteers who successfully implement the programs. Local councils may recognize outstanding adults with the Golden Apple Award. Exploring is the worksite-based program of Learning for Life, and focuses on involving teenagers in clubs, called posts, that allow young people to learn about possible careers, form friendships, develop leadership skills, and enjoy activities with like-minded teens and adults. Exploring clubs are open to young men and women who are at least 10 years old or in grades 6-8 but not yet 15 years old. Exploring posts are open to young men and women who are 15 to 20 years old. Teens who are 14 and have graduated from eighth grade are also eligible to join an Exploring post. All Explorers are under

987-571: The National Council may only give out 12 Venturing Leadership Awards every year. Councils do not have a limit on the number they may present. The award was not presented to adults from 2012 – 2015. The National Noteworthy Crew award is a distinction presented by the National Venturing Officers' Association every year to 3–5 Venturing crews from across the country who approach Venturing in innovative ways. The award

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1034-628: The National Learning for Life Service Center to apply through the LFL Foundation and when funds are received, 100% of them are sent to the local council for use specifically with LFL/Exploring programs. Nationally, Learning For Life is an affiliate of the Boy Scouts of America's umbrella. The Learning for Life organization consists of a leadership team of national Learning for Life volunteers, including specialized committees for

1081-860: The VOA is to better the Venturing program for Venturing youth and adults across the country. They strive to host Venturing program, teach Venturing trainings, provide crews with important resources, and grow Venturing membership. The National VOA, previously known as the National Venturing Cabinet, are the youth leaders of the Venturing program. These youth are the National Venturing President , and five National Venturing Vice Presidents for administration, program, communication, territory support for western territories, and territory support for eastern territories. Prior to

1128-582: The Venturing Motto and the ALPS Model. Prior to 2014, Venturers also had their own Venturing Oath and Code. "Lead the Adventure" Adventure, Leadership, Personal Growth, Service Each crew is sponsored by a community organization such as a business, service organization, school, labor group or religious institution, called the chartered organization. The chartered organization, represented by

1175-549: The Venturing Summit Award was formally recognized as a Rank that Venturers can earn through a series of requirements. Adventure Leadership Service Personal growth The Silver Award was the highest award in the Venturing program of the Boy Scouts of America from 1998 through 2014. It required Venturers to first earn one of five Bronze Awards, earn the Gold Award, have one year's tenure in

1222-574: The Venturing program is relatively new, older youth Scouting has a long history within the BSA. The program got its start in the 1930s as the "Senior Scout" Division for boys 15 and older. In 1949 the Senior Scout Division became the Explorer Division. Sea Scouts became Sea Explorers, Air Scouts became Air Explorers, and Explorer Scouts simply Explorers. The Explorer program became less of an advanced outdoor program and more

1269-613: The adult Chartered Organization Representative, is responsible for providing a meeting place and promoting a good program. A chartered organization representative manages the relationship between the crew, the chartered organization, and the BSA. Additionally, Venturing crew's should have a crew committee. The crew committee is a group of adults, led by the Crew Committee Chair, who guide the crew program and activities and manage record keeping, finance, leadership recruitment, and registration. The crew committee may elect to have

1316-511: The crew be all-male, all-female, or co-ed . The crew itself is led by youth members who are elected to different leadership positions. Traditionally, these include president, vice president of administration, vice president of program, secretary, treasurer, quartermaster, guide, and historian. However, crews are free to add or remove positions as it benefits their crew. Additionally, crews may choose to have ad hoc or temporary positions like activity chair. The crew officers are encouraged to select

1363-426: The crew committee. The Eagle Board of Review follows the procedures for advancement established by the local council. The core Venturing program includes advancement opportunities for youth featuring four different ranks: Venturing, Discovery, Pathfinder, and Summit. These ranks must be earned in order. The Venturing Summit Rank is comparable to the rank of Eagle Scout . Before the current Venturing advancement

1410-466: The facilities shooting ranges, zip line, and attend concerts. VenturingFest has been hosted twice, once in 2016 and once in 2018. The third VenturingFest was planned for the summer of 2020, but was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic . As part of its rank advancement, Venturing offers youth members the opportunity to complete the following trainings: Additionally, Venturers may also choose to take

1457-456: The following trainings: Upon turning 18, all youth Venturing participants are required to take the BSA's Youth Protection Training (YPT). To help prepare adults to guide youth through their Venturing experience, Venturing offers adults access to the following Venturing-specific trainings: Additionally, all adult Venturing volunteers are required to take the BSA's Youth Protection Training Youth Protection Training (YPT). Re-certification

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1504-444: The immediate effect of dropping the membership totals of the BSA, but had no significant effect on the total numbers of youth served by the BSA when combining membership totals of traditional Scouting with the youth served totals of Learning for Life. When a number of government agencies and community leaders began to seriously question the appropriateness of those agencies continuing to charter Exploring posts, BSA decided to reorganize

1551-458: The primary specialty awards Venturers could earn. They were discontinued on December 31, 2014. The Venturing Leadership Award is given to recognize both Venturing adults and youth who have made exceptional contributions to Venturing and who exemplify the Scout Oath and Law. The Venturing leadership can be given out by councils, areas, regions, and the BSA National Council. Area, Regions, and

1598-490: The ribbon is suspended from an antique silver colored bar bearing the word SUMMIT. The design incorporates elements from the Exploring Silver Medal (Type II) issued between 1954 and 1965. The medal is worn on formal occasions, such as a Court of Honor. The square knot insignia is a rectangular cloth patch with a silver knot and border on a green and white background. This is the same knot previously used for

1645-467: The school curriculum, usually for an hour a week during a daytime elective period. There were some critics who complained that these programs were innovative to the point of not being "real Scouting," and there were occasionally difficulties in maintaining partnerships between these youth-serving agencies in delivering school programs to both boys and girls. This led the BSA to explore options regarding delivery of youth programs in public school settings, and

1692-464: The structure of Exploring programs. The decision was made in 1998 to separate work-based Exploring programs from those that were primarily focused on traditional BSA programming, hobbies, outdoors, and sports. The work-based Exploring posts and their membership were transferred to the Learning for Life affiliate, and the posts that were traditional to hobbies, outdoors, and sports were renamed Venturing crews and Sea Scout ships, and remained as part of

1739-514: The supervision of adults who serve as Post Advisors of Club Sponsors. The Explorers elect their own peer leaders to serve as officers, subject to the approval of the adult advisors and sponsors. Exploring's purpose is to provide experiences that help young people mature and to prepare them to become responsible and caring adults. The result is a program of activities that helps youth pursue their special interests, grow, and develop. Typical Exploring programs include groups of teenagers specializing in

1786-650: The traditional BSA organization. Both posts and crews continue to serve the same age-groups of young women and men ages 15–20, but over the years, the terminology and methods of the Exploring and Venturing programs have evolved in separate directions, with Exploring continuing in a very non-traditional direction. Almost every one of the 264 BSA Councils has at least one Exploring post, and about 90 have Learning for Life programs that are school-based groups. These groups and posts have youth who are described as participants and members of Learning for Life, but are not members of

1833-665: The uniform a police officer would wear. Many posts and clubs do not wear a specific uniform if the career field does not have a standard uniform. Some Exploring posts gather together for national Exploring conferences and regional activities, sometimes called academies or musters. The law Explorers had an annual National Explorer Mock Trial Competition for many years but the competition has not been held since 2010. Some BSA councils host activities at which local Exploring posts and clubs participate. The National Learning for Life office administers college scholarships for eligible Explorers, based on written applications. The office also creates

1880-441: The universal Boy Scout logo at the top with a superimposed eagle in flight, and the words VENTURING SILVER in the border. Recipients may wear the corresponding square knot insignia, with a silver knot and border on a green and white background on the BSA uniform. The original Silver Award was first issued from 1949 to 1954 as part of the BSA's Explorer program. The award was restyled in 1954 and awarded through 1958 when Explorer

1927-559: The various Exploring programs, and supported by seasoned senior executive professionals. These committees and professionals develop the curriculum and national programs for Learning for Life, and advise and provide support to the Learning for Life field offices across the United States and overseas. Within local BSA councils, Learning for Life groups are supported through special committees of Learning for Life volunteers. The day-to-day support of Learning for Life and Exploring programs

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1974-403: The words LEAD THE ADVENTURE above. The badge is worn on the left pocket by youth have earned the rank The medal is an antique silver colored roundel with the words LEAD THE ADVENTURE in the border. The inner border is inscribed with a compass rose. Superimposed on the roundel is a silver eagle in flight with the Venturing emblem below. The medal is suspended from a white ribbon with green stripes;

2021-416: The youth were no longer considered to be Explorers. In 1998, the Venturing program took over the outdoor activities of the old BSA Explorer program, while career-oriented activities were transferred to the Learning for Life organization and renamed Exploring. In February 2016, Sea Scouting became a separate program division from Venturing. In addition to the Scout Oath and Law, Venturers also subscribe to

2068-494: Was created, the Gold Award and the Silver Award were the highest Venturing recognition that could be obtained. They were both discontinued on December 31, 2014. In addition to Venturing's core ranks, Venturers may also earn awards that demonstrate their unique skill sets. Before the current Venturing specialty awards, the Venturing Bronze awards for Arts and Hobbies, Outdoor, Sea Scouts, Sports and Religious Life were

2115-466: Was increased, and, as the years progressed, Exploring focused more on career exploration posts, though outdoor and sports-oriented posts continued to thrive. Career Awareness Explorer posts were introduced in the early 1980s. This was the fastest growing segment of Exploring and the BSA during the 1980s. These posts were realigned into the new Learning for Life subsidiary in 1991, and the posts were then designated as High School Career Awareness groups and

2162-527: Was modeled off of Sea Scouting's National Flagship . The award was first presented in May 2021. VenturingFest is a gathering for hundreds of Venturers from across the country to intermingle at The Summit Bechtel Reserve in Mount Hope, West Virginia . During their week-long VenturingFest experience, Venturers had the opportunity to rock climb, skateboard, BMX bike, participate in a variety of water sports, use

2209-425: Was renamed to Exploring and advancement was dropped. Air Explorers continued to be able to earn this award through 1964. A total of 18,047 Explorers earned the Silver Award between 1949 and 1958. The award was re-introduced in 1998 as part of Venturing and its current design is similar to its historic counterpart. The purpose of the Silver Award was to: The highest awards in other BSA membership divisions are

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