Figure 1.--

Venture Scouts are for somewhat older youths. You could find yourself camping above the snow line, exploring the underwater reefs, riding the wind in a high-performance land yacht, earning a pilot's licence, investigating a career in astro-physics, editing a own film, making a sculpture or climbing a sheer rock face. Venturers have the courage and confidence to say, try and do. They are given opportunities to experience the excitement of living and the training to develop into a capable and self-reliant individual. The action and adventure a Venturer experiences doesn't just develop physical skills. It also prepares you to meet challenges, to deal with new situations, and to gain independence. Venture Scouts WORK ALONGSIDE ADULTS, RATHER THAN BEING TOLD WHAT TO DO BY THEM, and they draw on their experiences and contacts to get the best out of your programme that you design to suit your needs. Venture Scouts belong to a group of young people your own age, about 15 in a Unit. They run their own affairs through a Unit Council. They speak out for their own viewpoint and share the decisions, help make the plans and follow them through. There are dances, hikes, barbecues, service projects and camps to give one the chance to get to know each other. There are two awards to aim for. The Queen's Scout Award is the ultimate award in Australian Scouting.

Age

Venture Scouts are for somewhat older youths.

Activities

You could find yourself camping above the snow line, exploring the underwater reefs, riding the wind in a high-performance land yacht, earning a pilot's licence, investigating a career in astro-physics, editing a own film, making a sculpture or climbing a sheer rock face. Venturers have the courage and confidence to say, try and do. They are given opportunities to experience the excitement of living and the training to develop into a capable and self-reliant individual. As well as the many outdoor activities offered to Venturers, there are many other ways of expressing individuality and developing creativity. Venture Scouts can learn the guitar, put on stage plays, paint and write, go to the theatre, make films, take and develop your own photographs and express your thoughts and feelings on all kinds of issues. Venture Scouts may have already chosen a career path, but if not it can be very confusing deciding which path to follow. At Venturers, eyes are opened to possibilities you may not have thought of by introductions to new skills but to professionals and tradesmen who can show and tell you first-hand what their jobs are like. The programme may include visits to factories, laboratories and other places where you can see the workforce in action and make up your own mind. A lot goes on in your community, a lot that many adults still have no awareness of. Venturers informs you and shows you what you can do to make a positive contribution to the community you live in. Your program may include learning a little about politics one can use their vote (upon turning 18) effectively, or environmental issues that concern the future, and Venture Scouts can work on community projects that care for the elderly or the handicapped.

Purpose

The action and adventure a Venturer experiences doesn't just develop physical skills. It also prepares you to meet challenges, to deal with new situations, and to gain independence.

Approach

Venture Scouts WORK ALONGSIDE ADULTS, RATHER THAN BEING TOLD WHAT TO DO BY THEM, and they draw on their experiences and contacts to get the best out of your programme that you design to suit your needs.

Organization

Venture Scouts belong to a group of young people your own age, about 15 in a Unit. They run their own affairs through a Unit Council. They speak out for their own viewpoint and share the decisions, help make the plans and follow them through. There are dances, hikes, barbecues, service projects and camps to give one the chance to get to know each other. They share the good times--and the tough times--and share the work dedication and fun that it takes to be a Venturer Scout.

Career Orientation

Venture Scouts may have already chosen a career path, but if not it can be very confusing deciding which path to follow. At Venturers, eyes are opened to possibilities you may not have thought of by introductions to new skills but to professionals and tradesmen who can show and tell you first-hand what their jobs are like. The programme may include visits to factories, laboratories and other places where you can see the workforce in action and make up your own mind.

Community

A lot goes on in your community, a lot that many adults still have no awareness of. Venturers informs you and shows you what you can do to make a positive contribution to the community you live in. Your program may include learning a little about politics one can use their vote (upon turning 18) effectively, or environmental issues that concern the future, and Venture Scouts can work on community projects that care for the elderly or the handicapped. It's a satisfying feeling to know that one can be an intelligent and useful contributor, and you can be proud of yourself for making the effort. Awards are not given simply as token gestures but are EARNED for striving and making REAL ACHIEVEMENTS.

Awards

There are two awards to aim for. The Queen's Scout Award is the ultimate award in Australian Scouting.
THE VENTURER AWARD: This can be gained during your first 12 months as a Venturer. Your achievements to earn it will include a weekend initiative course - a test of determination and self-reliance. This award may have changed. An Australian Scout tells us that there is no longer a Venturer Award, but there is "Venturing Skills" Award or the QS half point award." [Rocks]
THE QUEEN'S SCOUT AWARD: This can be achieved before you turn 18 as a Venturer and the special test is a weekend leadership course. It's the ultimate Scouting achievement. An Australian Scouter tells us about the QS Award., " The half way point for QS is the "Endevour Award" which requires: 1) Venturing Skills Award (which required only basic skills). 2) Expeditions 1 - (self organised no adluts hike with the party either) Unit Management First Aid (senior level) Initiative Activity Service (10 hour component). And any two of these elctives: Outdoors 1, Citizenship, Ideals 1 Expression 1, Pursuits 1, Lifestyle 1, or Vocations These are all components of the QS award. this links to the South Austrlalian venturing web site which has information on this award. adn also if you explore it give an idea to the varying adn exciting opportunities offered in scouting today. Also information on QS components.

Sources

Rocks, Rosie. E-mail message, September 22, 2005.