VENTURING: CUB SCOUT INITIATIVE

Venturers Helping Cub Scout Membership & Retention

What is Venturing: CSI?

Venturing: CSI is a pilot program of Sam Houston Area Council, conducted in conjunction with the National Venturing Committee and the National Cub Scout Committee.  The program will partner Cub Scout packs with Venturing crews, whose members agree to assist on a short-term basis with a pack’s fall round-up and the first month’s den meetings of a new den leader.

NOTE:  Venturing is BSA’s program for male and female youth, ages 14-20.  The Venturing unit is called a crew. Individual members are referred to as Venturers. Click here for more details  on the National web site about Venturing.

 

What is the purpose of Venturing: CSI?

Recruiting Cub Scouts and retaining them on into Boy Scouts and Venturing is the best way to impact the character development of these young people.  In an effort to improve Cub Scout recruiting and retention, Sam Houston Area council has endorsed Venturing: CSI as a special membership project.  Development of the program is based on these points:

• New dens are a prime area of membership loss in Cub Scouting, particularly in the first few weeks after formation. Venturers can have a significant impact through personal interaction with new Cub Scouts. 
• Cub Scout-age boys look up to older youth, and seeing Venturers directly involved in their program will underscore the value and fun of Scouting experience for all ages. 
• Venturers assisting unit organizers and den leaders will help new Cub Scouts have positive, fun experiences from the start.
• During their first critical month as a new Cub Scout leader, den leaders will gain confidence in their own abilities through the support of the Venturing youth.
• Seeing Venturing leadership in action will give parents a “big picture” of the future of their own child in the Scouting program.

What type of support would a Venturing crew provide to the pack?

The Venturing crew would agree to provide two specific items of service:

• Assist with the fall roundup meetings by leading games and activities for prospective Cub Scouts while pack organizers orient new parents.
• Adopt one new den in the pack and provide hands-on program help at each of the den meetings in the first month, leading up to the first pack meeting.
• Optionally, the Venturing crew might also participate with the den/pack in an outdoor activity within the first few months.

What are the benefits of participating in Venturing: CSI?

• Cub Scout packs receive assistance in providing a fun and exciting activity for prospective youth members during school night roundup programs.
• A new den leader is provided program assistance from a Venturing crew during the first few den meetings in his or her new position.
• Venturing crews have an opportunity to serve Scouting through a service project to a neighboring Cub Scout pack.
• Participating Venturers may receive credit for service requirements for Bronze and Gold Awards.
• Cub Scouts and Venturers experience the satisfaction of helping others and seeing Scouting as a program with life-long potential for benefits.

Will training be available?

Training will be provided to packs and crews to help Venturers and Cub Scout leaders understand expectations and fulfill their responsibilities.  Click here to see a sample training packet.

Can my pack participate?

The Venturing: CSI Committee is in the process of identifying packs and crews that would be interested in participating in Venturing: CSI for the 2005 fall roundups.  If a natural partnership does not exist with a Venturing crew, we will seek to establish a partnership with a crew that is in your vicinity.

If your unit is interested in participating, click here for an interest form to be returned to Sam Houston Area Council.

When can we get started?

 

Timetable of Activities
Fall 2004 - March 2005	Recruit and match partner crews and packs.
April - May 2005	Training sessions for crews and pack/den leadership.
August-September 2005	Fall Roundups/School Nights for Scouting
September-October 2005	Crews meet with new dens.
November 2005	Evaluation of results and recommendations for future.

 A Winning Partnership!