6
the year of the Venturer. February 2017:
the yearof theVenturer.Fe
bru
ary
20
17:
in this issue
a message from your president
a message from your president
advisor's note
February 9th, 1998
WRV Youth Conference 2017
fyi
Youth ConferenceWestern Region
Venturing
Dear Western Region,
In just a few short days, we will be celebrating Venturing’s19th birthday. I’m sure there are some adult leaders whohave been in the program from the very beginning, and wesure would love to hear your stories!—but for most of us,it’s hard to think about Venturing ever being any differentthan it is now.
Venturing recently has a lot to be proud of—hosting the firstever VenturingFest, initiating the new trek to the SummitAward, and bringing in new members each and every month.There is so much energy for the program today that I can guarantee we can’t evenimagine what new and exciting things will be coming from our members in the comingyear. That is why this year is for you: to find and define your Venturing experience!
We are incredibly proud of how this program has expanded and what it represents.Personally, I have grown immensely as a person through my involvement in Venturing,and I love my opportunity to pay it forward as the Western Region VOA President. Ilove the idea of this being the “year of the Venturer” as we are calling it, because it ispersonally my final year as a youth member. This is my chance to leave a lastingimpact not only on the Western Region, but also on my own Scouting passport so I canpass it on to the brilliant minds following me.
I challenge you all to do the same—look for new exciting things, challenge yourself inways you never have before, and throw a great party on February 9 th to celebrateVenturing’s big day!
Yours in Scouting,Katie SchneiderWestern Region VOA President
Have you registered?
March 24-26th, 2017
advisor's note When looking back at the next year in Venturing,the short version is “Venturing happened”. The longversion is much more interesting, and much moreinspirational.
For example, Venturing happened on snowmobilesand in snowcaves, near Snoqualmie Pass.Venturing happened at a HipHop Dance Workshopin Huntington Beach. Venturing happened on thetrails near Cimarroncito, in Zion and in the shadowof Denali. Venturing happened on ziplines in Belize.Venturing happened with HAM radios in Apple Valley.Venturing happened on outrigger canoes on Oahu.Venturing happened in almost every county throughout the Western Region andbeyond, wherever Venturers sought out new challenges and adventures. Over 800Venturers and Advisors from all over the country gathered for the first ever nationalVenturing event, VenturingFest at the Bechtel Summit Reserve. Venturers cametogether to climb, skateboard, zipline, mountain bike and raft during the day, andwere treated to concerts and other excuses to hang out together in the evenings.From a regional perspective, we completed our first year with a Regional VenturingCommittee. We welcomed Larry Call as the first Regional Assistant Commissionerfor Venturing. The Western Region was the only region in the BSA that showedpositive growth for 2016. We welcomed Katie Schneider as our Regional VenturingPresident, and Pratik Vaidya as our National Venturing President. Our RegionalOfficers put on a remarkable STEMbased event at Camp Cutter in NorthernCalifornia. (NOTE: Even though it’s called a Venturing Youth Conference, thisyear’s event will be filled with ziplines, shooting, climbing, a COPE course, and thekind of energy we only see when hundreds of Venturers get together. Havingattended most of the regional events, they have always been a blast!)
Venturing happened and will happen in so many places that I could not possiblycram them all into my schedule, even if I had nothing else planned. So we have todepend on each other to share our triumphs and learning experiences. Eventhough 2016 was mindblowing, I believe that 2017 will be Venturing’s best year yet!
Larry PetersonWestern Region Venturing Vice President of Communications Advisor
/wrventuring wrventuring @wrventuring @venturingWR
February 9th, 1998 February 9th, 1998 is the date the Executive Board of theBoy Scouts of America officially created Venturing. The ideaof Venturing, a program for older scouts to explore outdoorhigh adventure had been a necessity since essentially thecreation of the scouting program in 1910. While Venturingholds a unique history, (and a great read on the newVenturing website), the purpose is to provide a place for youthto grow by means of Adventure, Leadership, and Service. Indeciding a goal that they want to achieve, a Venturing Crew thenworks together to get there by means of fundraising, eventplanning, decision making, and teamwork. It isn't always easy,as anyone who has ever been to a crew meeting knows, but onthe other side they emerge with stronger senses of self, withhealthier relationships, and with applicable life skills.
In the 19 years Venturing has been in existence, these traits impact over 140,000scouts yearly. Imagine what 19 more years can do imagine what you can do.Besides some basic safety guidelines, you can do anything that you put your mindto. If you want to go cross country skiing in Colorado, make a plan. If you want tocanoe down the Klondike in Canada, set a date. If you want to staff Jamboree thissummer, fill out the application. Take the first step, and you'll be surprised at howeasily the rest follows.
Venturing is a program of possibilities. If you have an idea make it known. TheExecutive Board of the BSA followed through with their idea, and this is what they've created. What can you do? Of course, an excellent place to start is by applying to your local Council Venturing Officers' Association. Applications are out/soon to be out for your council, and you have the power to make this year the best one yet. This is the year of the Venturer, what will you do to make the most of it?
recognition Do you know a Venturer that has gone above and beyond in yourCouncil, Area, or Region? Nominate them for the Venturing LeadershipAward! This award, more commonly known as the VLA, recognizesboth youth and adults who actively serve the Venturing program. Theapplications are out, with due dates coming up soon. Write a proposaltoday! Visit to learn more.
/wrventuring wrventuring @wrventuring @venturingWR
the brand new Venturing website
WRV Youth Conference 2017
Best mode of travel to the WRV Conference: Zip line.
But, if you have to come by "normal" methods,
we've got you covered! We will have a zip line
that you can go down as many times as you
would like! We will also have shooting sports,
archery, a COPE course, and a climbing wall,
as well as guest speakers, snacks,
friendship, and fun!
Personally, I'mgonna ride myNimbus 2000
there!
Register today!
WRV Hosts a Birthday Party!
Tune in on February 9th, 2017, on our Facebook page for a special
birthday message from the Western Region Venturing VOA! We will be
answering some of your questions about the upcoming conference, as
well as covering key topics in Venturing. See you then!
fyi
WRV YouthConference!!
Area 4 Orange
County Council
Forum
A1 Chief Seattle:Venturing Winter
Challenge
Area 4: Passport
to VenturingWRV Hosts aBirthday Party!
CSVE'sdue
Area 6 Arizona Adventure
Area 6 LasVegas Area
Council Forum
Area 6 Las VegasArea Council
Forum
Area 4 OrangeCounty Council
Forum
Area 6 AlohaCouncil Forum
Area 1 OreIdaCouncil Forum
NVOAApplication due
Area 3 SiliconValley MontereyBay Forum
Region VOAApplication
due
Area VOAApplication due
Area 1 OreIdaCouncil Forum
Area 6 AlohaCouncil Forum
Area 3 Forum
Area 6 Aloha CouncilPowderhorn Course
Area 1 ChiefSeattle Council
Forum
Area 1 ChiefSeattle Council
Forum
Area 4 OCCIntercrew CROM
Area 4 ShootingSports
Area 4 ShootingSports
A1 Cascade PacificVOA Snow Lodge
Area 3 SiliconValley MontereyBay CouncilUniversity ofScouting
Area 3 Golden EmpireCouncil Crew 580 RockClimbing Overnighter
Area 4 OrangeCounty Council
Crew 616's COPECourseA4 Orange County
Council Crew 980 Sadie's
A1 CascadePacific VOA Snow
Lodge
Area 3 GreaterYosemite ILSC
Area 4 WesternLos Angeles
Council RAD Day 1
51 Days until WRV YouthConference!
wrventuring.orgFor dates, times, and specifics visit
