Council Venturing Forums:

The Council Venturing Forum, held three times a year, will serve as a resource to any and all Venturing leadership - both youth and adult - to interface with their peers, discover available internal and external resources, and strengthen Venturing programs across the Council.

Dates:

Tuesday, February 24^th                      7:00 p.m. Cockrell Scout Center

Tuesday, May 26^th                              7:00 p.m. Cockrell Scout Center

Tuesday, October 27^th                        7:00 p.m. Cockrell Scout Center

For more information about the Council Venturing Forums, contact the Coordinator - John Wisinger.

Council Venturing Officers Association:

Through the mechanism of the Council Venturing Forums, a Council-level youth Venturing Officers Association will be created through peer elections during 2009. These youth will lead, guide, and support Council program for the Venturing and serve as ambassadors for the Venturing program for the Council. More information on the VOA and its elections will be made available at the February 24th Forum.

Adult Training Support:

Powder Horn:

A Powderhorn course will be held this Spring (2009) rotating through three of our Council Camp properties (Strake, Bovay, El Rancho Cima). Following with this course, we will hold a Powderhorn course every 18 months, therefore the next course will be in the Fall of 2010. For more information on Powderhorn, please contact Bill Berry.

Venturing Leader Specific Training:

An initiative will take place in 2009 to help recruit and support Venturing Leader Specific trainers in those Districts who are not currently equipped to support the training. Also, a Council-level specific training will take place on Saturday, October 24th at the Cockrell Scout Center. For more information about Venturing Specific Training, contact Kelia Ballou.

Youth Training Support:

Kodiak:

After a great success in a Council-level Kodiak course in 2008 over Spring Break, an annual Kodiak course has been added to the programming of the Council Venturing program. In 2009, the Kodiak course will be held concurrently with the “Specialty Camp” week of Walter Scout Camp at Horseshoe Bend at El Rancho Cima on July 12-18th. This will be a great summer opportunity for all Venturers and Sea Scouts at a great price! The registration form can be found HERE and for more information contact Course Director Traci Talley. 

Kodiak X:

For any youth who have completed a Kodiak course, for the first time ever the Council will be offering a Kodiak X course – the final phase of Venturing leadership training for youth in the Venturing program. This course will be held March 14-16 at El Rancho Cima. The registration form can be found HERE and for more information contact Course Director Traci Talley.

Program Support:

Venturing Annual Summit:

This event will be held August 14-16 at Bovay Scout Ranch. The event will include fun, fellowship, and an opportunity to recognize those youth and adults who are being bestowed with the Venturing Leadership Award. This truly will be the premier Venturing activity of the year, and registration will be open to both individual Venturers, Crews and Ships, and prospective members. Click HERE for the Registration Form.

Sail Daze:

Held at Conroe Yacht Club, this event highlights small boat sailing and aquatic activities and is open to all Crews and Ships. Hosted by the Sea Scout Fleet, your unit can experience a great day of fun on May 9th for only $5.00 a person. Click HERE for the Registration Form.

Recognition:

Venturing Leadership Award:

The Council Venturing Leadership Award is the highest award that can be presented by the Council for service to the Venturing program. Nominations are due February 27, 2009 to Thomas Franklin. Forms can be found HERE and the awards will be presented at the Venturing Annual Summit in August.

Venturing Advisor Award of Merit:

Upon nomination by the Crew President, a Venturing Advisor can be recognized with the Venturing Advisor Award of Merit. These forms should be submitted to Thomas Franklin at the Cockrell Service Center. Beginning in 2009, these awards will be presented at the Council Venturing Forums, in order to recognize these individuals in front of their peers in the Venturing program.