Issuu

DRAFT 1 FALL 2020

THE VENTURING NEWSLETTER (COVER COMING SOON)

VOLUME TWO

ISSUE FOUR

E D I T O R I N C H I E F ----- N I C O L E S T E E L E D E S I G N E R ----- J O N A T H A N B E R G L E R

Hi again Venturers, Advisors, friends, and families,

EDITOR'S NOTE |

Ed-

I’ve recently been working on creating my resume for fuOLUME ONE | ISSUE ONE ture job and internship Vapplications. As I looked at my VOA and newsletter positions listed on the page, I realized just how much Venturing has shaped my life. Venturing has given me countless friends and unique experiences, as many articles often highlight. However, something that I don’t think gets enough credit is how much Venturing prepares youth for the professional world. Venturing teaches youth how to work in or lead a team, plan projects, communicate, and more. Whether you realize it or not, you’re likely gaining invaluable skills for your future and accomplishing a great deal.

itor’s

NICOLE STEELE

As we begin wrapping up the 2020-2021 term, I think it’s important to reflect on what we’ve accomplished. This year did not resemble what any of us imagined, but I have never seen a group of people grow so much. Venturers this term have truly embodied the third aspect of the ALPS model: Personal Growth. They have implemented creative ways to establish adventure and fellowship. Many Venturers have also dedicated this year to supporting their local communities. I believe that all of these accomplishments------big and small------should be celebrated. In this edition, we recognize the impact of multiple outstanding volunteers. We also have several unique stories that I would highly encourage reading, such as the Black Suit Initiative, Oliver Agar saving his grandmother’s life, and Crew 72 discovering a sunken pirate ship! Of course, if you have any fun stories about Venturers, Advisors, or Crews you know, we’d love to hear from you! We’re always looking for stories to feature, so please reach out to nationalventuringcommunication@gmail. com with any questions, comments, or ideas. And if you're interested in writing or graphic designing articles for future editions of The Venturing Newsletter, please reach out as we’d love to connect with you. Happy reading! Yours in Venturing,

Nicole Steele

CONTENTS ADVENTURE

Evolve, Engage, Experience - 5 The Mystery in the Caribbean - 6 Crew 151 & the Black Suit Initiative - 8 You Asked, We Answered - 12

LEADERSHIP Getting to Know Your Region VP Programs - 14 The National VLA Recipients - 16 Thank You, Robbie DiBiagio - 19 Gail Plucker's Service to Scouting - 20

PERSONAL GROWTH The History of Powder Horn - 22 Older Youth Programs at Philmont - 23 An Advisor's Advice to Fellow Advisors - 24 Brent Uberty's Venturing Success Story - 28

SERVICE Crew 350's Service Project - 32 Venturer with Autism Earns the Medal of Merit - 34 Summit Rank Requirements - 36 Extraordinary Venturer of the Year Award - 37 Drip Drop: A Nonprofit Created by a Venturer - 38

Calendar - 40

Adventure

EVOLVE, ENGAGE, EXPERIENCE Page 5

THE MYSTERY IN THE CARIBBEAN

YOU ASKED, WE ANSWERED

Page 6

Page 12

THE BLACK SUIT INITIATIVE Page 8 4

VENTURING NEWSLETTER

EVOLVE, ENGAGE, EXPERIENCE By Ian Arnold & Elizabeth LaBier

volve, Engage, Experience (Ex3) is the Northeast Region Area 1 VOA’s annual winter training event. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, all of the planning meetings and the event itself were held virtually. This presented some challenges because our Area wanted to stay as faithful to the typical program as possible, so our VOA had to find new ways to virtually provide the same fantastic experience that we had provided in previous years. Leading up to Ex3, the Area 1 VOA team met weekly for two months via Zoom or on conference calls. Our Council VOA Officers from around the Area would also often join us to give feedback and help with the planning processes, which proved to be very helpful. Having only a short time to meet each week due to scheduling conflicts, each of the Area 1 VOA Officers took on a lot of responsibility to ensure various tasks were completed on time. Thankfully, the Area 1 VOA was able to put together a program that closely modeled what an in-person event would have involved. One of the most significant aspects of having the event virtually was that participants could attend for no cost and could participate from the comfort of their homes. In a typical year, the Venturers and Advisors of Area 1 would have had to

travel across state lines to make it to Ex3. While seeing people in-person would have been ideal, hosting Ex3 virtually helped the Area open the event to any Venturer interested and available during that weekend, without worrying about finances or travel. As a result, many new faces were present at Ex3 that had never attended an Area 1 event before. This year, Ex3 was spread across two days, taking place from January 16th to 17th. Despite the virtual setting, our program was a great success. During the weekend, some of the activities included training, such as Project Management & Goal Setting and Time Management, and a virtual scavenger hunt. We even played some rounds of Among Us. Throughout the event, we were also able to engage our 21+ adult audience. By utilizing “breakout rooms,” the Area team provided a simultaneous program for both the youth and adults. The adults had the opportunity to meet and discuss relevant topics and issues facing the Venturing Program today. Going into Ex3, the Area 1 VOA was unsure what to expect; nevertheless, the feedback both during and after the event was extremely positive. It seemed that the participants were just as excited as the Area 1 VOA to be actively participating in a Venturing event once again.

EX3

SPRING EDITION

rew 72 has been known for their extravagant “superadventures” since the inception of their unit. Every year, they fundraise and plan one trip designed to create an experience which will eclipse any other experience imaginable. For their 2020 superadventure, they chose to live on a boat for two weeks while scuba diving along the Mesoamerican reef in the Caribbean, ending at the Palancar dive site in Cozumel. They didn’t make it to Cozumel. The largest consideration was expenses. Unit member Josh Gibbs said “we knew regular fundraising wouldn’t cover such a large ordeal, so we had to think outside the box.” Among many other methods, they built and ran a custom haunted house twice a week throughout the month of October at $20 a person, all donated blood and plasma, and ran a service to help people get Christmas Trees to their homes after purchase. Additionally, they edit and upload all their outings and activities as vlogs on YouTube, generating ad revenue. For 10 months, they had been accumulating skills required for the trip. First and foremost, they would need to learn how to sail a boat. They took on6

VENTURING NEWSLETTER

line classes at a nearby boating school and practiced over the weekends. They then worked with a Marine Corps SCUBA training program to get certified. Finally, they planned a smaller trip to do basic scuba diving and sailing as a test run 2 months before their superadventure. They were ready to start. They casted off from the base of Belize at 9am. “The first day was mostly spent gaining our sea legs,” said advisor Ian Mercer. Over the next three days they recorded seeing 7 types of coral, 2 stingrays, 12 green sea turtles, 5 leatherback turtles, and a myriad of small, vibrantly colored fish. Nighttime was filled with card games, sea shanties, and stories of the day’s dives.

Day 5 was the night of the storm. The boat rocked and shoved off, uprooting the anchor. When they woke up, they found themselves miles off course and decided to take an alternative route to rendezvous with their original track. Although they had strayed from their course, they planned to dive that day, so they dove in waters they knew may not be active with sea life. Everyone squeezed into their dive suits, equipped oxygen tanks, and went overboard. Immediately upon entering the water, it was clear that the storm had agitated the sea floor. After about 10 feet, one diver, Jackson Sparrow, noticed a strong brown light shining from a point on the seafloor. Upon further inspection, he realized it was not a brown fish as he first suspected, but actually the glimmer of a brass handle on the spoke of a steering wheel. Jackson immediately got the attention of the other divers and they began exploration. First it was a steering wheel, but then that was attached to some kind of larger wooden structure. Within 20 minutes, they found what seemed to be a wooden mast of an old sunken ship engraved with Foundation, the name of the notorious Welsh pirate Captain Black Bart’s ship. This part of the Caribbean used to be a pirate trading route and they had just discovered a real pirate ship! A small wooden latch below the helm uncovered an area below the deck which was miraculously still hollow. Upon entering, Liz Swann said there was “an entire ecosystem living among the carnage of the shipwreck.” The Venturers journeyed onward, but were suddenly jarred to see a slithering eel riddled with tiny, electric arcs emerging from the wall beside them. Quickly turning around, they were met with two more electric eels closing in on them. The only path away seemed deeper into the ship, but, just as they thought they had escaped, a 25foot electric eel briskly surrounded the divers. Just as the eel lunged forward, I yelled, “Happy April Fools!”

CREW 151 AND THE

BLACK SUIT INITIATIVE

ARTICLE BY

AMIR FUNDERBURK (9TH GRADE) TAVARES NICHOLS (2019 BSI GRADUATE) EVAINNA ROSS (BSI FOUNDER) BSI PHOTOS BY

AMARIAH ROSS

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------In 2008, The Sparrow's Nest, Inc. was operating a successful mobile service to provide free educational and cultural arts opportunities to students in four of Greensboro's largest public housing communities. Over the course of 8 years, the organization's founder, Evainna Ross, developed a leadership component within this program that integrated the insights from the middle and high school students in these communities. These students were provided a platform to assess issues plaguing their communities and were encouraged to develop tangible solutions. Partnerships with the City of Greensboro, the police department, and local businesses helped them achieve their goals. In late 2015, there was a notable increase in violent crimes committed by Black male teens. New gangs were emerging at a pace that made it difficult for law enforcement to manage. Students in the group had seen the increase of gang violence in their own communities and decided to shift their focus to preventing criminal activity. They worked to develop educational, artistic, and character-building skills to better prepare them for their transition to a college or career. For several months, students in the program surveyed parents and young Black males between ages 13 and 17 to learn what programs they would like to see offered in their communities. Students went a step further and

SPRING EDITION

interviewed high school dropouts and gang members and solicited solutions from them to prevent other males from following their misguided paths. Youth compiled this data to create what is known as The Black Suit Initiative (BSI). The logic behind the black suit is based upon a study conducted by the psychology department at California State University. They discovered wearing a suit does change thought processes. The study found formal clothing improved confidence levels and changed the basic way respondents perceived the world. Wearing a suit encourages people to use abstract processing more readily than concrete processing. Students receive their first full black suit after completing their first year in the program, and as they grow, suits are replaced. The suit closet remains open to them even beyond graduation. Young men are selected to become members of this program through an application and interview process. Although the primary focus is reaching young men in underserved communities, membership consists of Black males from a variety of socio-economic backgrounds. Young men can enter the program in sixth grade and remain until they graduate from high school. Mike Matzinger, board chairman of The Sparrow's Nest, Inc., introduced the idea of becoming a Venturing Crew. Venturing was a perfect complement to the community engagement portion of the Black Suit Initiative's program structure.

One of the primary community focuses of the program is tackling food insecurity in Guilford County. As a Venturing Crew, BSI has been able to partner with other Scout units to manage a food pantry on Hope Chapel's campus in Greensboro. Together, they collect, sort, stock, and distribute tens of thousands of nonperishable items annually. A majority of the food for this pantry is provided by the national BSA initiative "Scouting For Food" and through food drives hosted by BSI. For the past four years, The Black Suit Initiative has conducted a 24-hour food drive called "Locked In To Lock Out Hunger." This food drive allows students to solicit food donations in one location for 24 hours. During those 24 hours, the young men come together to refrain from eating any food in an effort to relate to those who experience hunger regularly. Last year, due to COVID-19 restrictions, most students did food solicitations utilizing social media from their own homes. This year, the organization collected over 7,000 items to restock the depleted food pantry. Beyond the service component of serving the community, being a crew member has opened the door for students to explore camping. The first year as a Venturing Crew allowed several team leaders the opportunity to attend a week-long camping experience. For some, this was their first time away from home for an extended period of time. It was definitely the first time everyone experienced camping without electricity and normal conveniences. Amir Funderburk, an 8th-grade student, had never spent time away from his mother. He found the first two days challenging, but he persevered and now considers his time at the camp to be a defining moment in his life; from childhood to manhood. Due to the unique experiences of Black men in America and the variability of their outcomes, it is imperative to provide them with opportunities that are supportive, engaging, inclusive, and educationally expansive. The program has become a necessity in creating new opportunities to expand their horizons as well as creating a platform for members to discuss topics that can drive our country in a positive and harmonious direction.

L E A R N M O R E AT

H T T P S : // B L A C K S U I T. O R G /

SPRING EDITION

You Asked, We Answered What are some good events for social distancing? Video chatting services have presented an incredible opportunity for Scouts to interact from the safety of their homes. Online, they can conduct meetings and have exciting game nights such as the one the NVOA hosted, but let’s face it--we’re all jumping at the opportunity to get away from our screens. As a result, my Crew recently held a social-distanced mock version of the TV show “Chopped” using

ASKED BY CECE

camp stoves in a park. Other COVID-friendly ideas for events to do together include hiking, shooting sports, horseback riding, ATVing, a Crew photoshoot, charades, and many service projects. Many of the fundamental parts of Scouting we love are still possible, we just have to get a bit creative with the way events are executed.

How do I keep costs down when planning activities? While Venturing provides youth with countless unique and character-building experiences, unfortunately, most of those experiences aren’t free. In addition to comparing prices of products and services when planning an event, here are a few other tips to help keep the costs down: 1. Mix up your events. Not everything fun comes at a cost, so try to balance pricier events/ trips with something free like a game night. 2. Fundraise. I know just hearing that word makes both you and your family’s wallets

Do you have questions or need advice about Venturing? CLICK HERE

VENTURING NEWSLETTER

ASKED BY MEI S.

feel drained, but trust me, it can be fun! Instead of asking people for money, plan an event for those outside of your Crew. At the event, either charge an admittance fee or ask for donations. This method helps youth grow in their leadership and planning capabilities, tends to be successful, and is fun for everyone. 3. Look for discounts. Even if it’s not on their website, many places give respectable discounts to Scouting groups, so call them up and ask. Additionally, see if the company you are looking at has any Groupons or special pricings for specific times.

Leadership

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR REGION VP PROGRAMS Page 14

THE NATIONAL VLA RECIPIENTS

GAILE PLUCKER'S SERVICE TO SCOUTING

Page 16

Page 20

THANK YOU, ROBBIE DIBIAGIO Page 19 SPRING EDITION

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR REGION VOA

VICE PRESIDENTS OF PROGRAMS KATIE OSTERHOUT

W E S T E R N R E G I O N VOA V P O F P R O G R A M S

WHAT WERE YOUR GOALS FOR THIS TERM?

My primary goal for this term was to have consistent programs offered throughout the year to help engage every Venturer from across Western Region. I also wanted to encourage all of the areas to put on an event this year, whether it was virtual or in-person. We have achieved these goals by hosting several Region events such as Venturers on the Hunt back in November, our Ringing in the New Year Party in January, and our upcoming event, Venturers on the Hunt: A West Quest in April! WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR FAVORITE EVENT YOU’VE BEEN ON?

My favorite event would have to be my crew’s week-long Tahoe Trek from this year. We sailed 50 miles, biked, kayaked, hiked, zip-lined, explored, and watched the meteor shower. It was such an amazing experience to have with an amazing group of friends and mentors! IF YOU COULD BECOME AN EXPERT ON ANYTHING, WHAT WOULD YOU CHOOSE?

I would love to be an expert on Sloths. They are my all time favorite animal, and are so interesting to learn about.

RAVEN BUSSINGER

S O U T H E R N R E G I O N VOA V P O F P R O G R A M S

WHAT WERE YOUR GOALS FOR THIS TERM?

My goals focused around the areas and supporting them, as well as creating virtual events on the region level. We created SouthCast, which was a big success. IF YOU COULD BECOME AN EXPERT ON ANYTHING, WHAT WOULD YOU CHOOSE?

I’d like to be an expert on drawing. I love art and drawing, but it can get very frustrating. Honestly though, to be an expert on drawing would be dope. WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR FAVORITE EVENT YOU’VE BEEN ON?

My favorite event that I’ve staffed on would be Kodiak. I loved backpacking and pushing my leadership to a new level. It kind of stirred up my interest in backpacking.

VENTURING NEWSLETTER

FREEDOM TANSLEY

N O R T H E A S T R E G I O N VOA V P O F P R O G R A M S

WHAT WERE YOUR GOALS FOR THIS TERM?

My goals for this term have included planning an amazing conference (Venturing out of the Past and Into the Future), which will occur in June 2021; completing two publications: an event planning guide and an international programming guide; assisting Area Vice Presidents in planning and executing programs; and planning and leading a Northeast Region Holiday Party. So far, I have achieved or almost achieved all my goals through careful time management and lots of hard work! WHAT MADE YOU INTERESTED IN BEING THE REGION VICE PRESIDENT OF PROGRAMS?

I absolutely love programming and hosting events! Improving the quality and quantity of highly-engaging programs for Venturers throughout the Northeast Region and all over the nation has been an incredibly rewarding experience! WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR FAVORITE EVENT YOU’VE BEEN ON?

My favorite event so far was the Fall of the Wall Camporee in Berlin, Germany, commemorating the anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. I led a Venturing contingent at the camporee and we had the amazing opportunity of exploring the fascinating historic and cultural center that is modern Berlin.

MAGGIE PENNINGTON

C E N T R A L R E G I O N VOA V P O F P R O G R A M S

WHAT WERE YOUR GOALS FOR THIS TERM?

My main goal for my term was to foster relationships between areas by having the Area Vice President of Program work together to brainstorm and plan programs. Another one of my goals was to improve the merchandise committee by taking a new approach to how merchandise is sold in the region. WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR FAVORITE EVENT YOU’VE BEEN ON?

My favorite event I have been to is the Greater St Louis Area Council’s Fall Fun Rally. It is a weekend event with over 100 different activities including mud caving, slip and slide kickball, paint ball, dance parties, and movie nights. There is always so much going on during the Fall Fun Rally, it is truly an event to remember. IF YOU COULD BECOME AN EXPERT ON ANYTHING, WHAT WOULD YOU CHOOSE?

If I could be an expert on any skill it would be profiling because I have been binge watching Criminal Minds on Netflix and I would love to be able to be in the BAU.

SPRING EDITION

Venturing Leadership Award 2 0 2 0

N A T I O N A L

V L A

R E C I P I E N T S

In recognition of exceptional dedication, leadership, and service to Venturing at the National level.

 JULIANA MURILLO

 AMY HERMANN

Amy is currently serving as the Southern Region Venturing President. She sets high standards for herself and never fails to deliver. Amy's strong ability to lead a team has strengthened the Venturing program. She has led several projects, including creating a “Building Council VOA Guide,” creating additional (virtual) social interactions for Venturers during COVID-19, and “SouthCast Live” events. 16

VENTURING NEWSLETTER

 IAN ARNOLD

Ian is the current Northeast Region Venturing President. He has been tremendously supportive in developing the Venturing program within both his region and nationally. He has been a voice of calm and reason through many challenges faced by Venturing. It is the leadership administered by Ian that encourages others to help push forward through difficult times.

Juliana is the current Western Region Venturing President. She has provided outstanding leadership over the Western Region VOA and contributed greatly to the National VOA structure that will begin in June. Juliana has also worked to develop a template for crews to use in submitting their application for the National Noteworthy Crew project and serves on the Literature Committee for the National Venturing Committee.

 ANDREW STECK NER  BRENNA LEARY

Brenna is a member of the Awards and Recognition Committee as part of the National Venturing Committee. She previously served as the Northeast Region Venturing President and has staffed many leadership trainings. As she mentors other Venturers, Brenna demonstrates a passion for leadership and dedication to Venturing.

 SAMAN THA TROIANO

Samantha is the current National Venturing Vice President. Samantha enables all Region Vice Presidents to work with each other and the National Venturing Committee effectively. She spearheaded the creation of LEAD to help improve areas’ abilities to work with their councils. She also worked with the National Venturing Committee to develop a fall recruitment campaign and has been a key leader in the restructuring process.

Andrew is currently serving as the Central Region Venturing President. Andrew spends countless hours executing innovative ideas to improve the Venturing program. He has combined collaboration successfully with his Sea Scout leadership counterparts, put together the Central Region Open Fishing Tournament or CROFT, and has given of his website design and technological skills to improve the images of Venturing.

SPRING EDITION

 ELIZABETH F INLEY

 GORDON LEARY

 JAMIE SHEARER

Jamie has served as a professional for the Boy Scouts of America and as the Northeast Region Venturing Staff Advisor. Jamie has since retired as a professional, but he continues to volunteer on the National Venturing Committee and several other national committees and task forces.

VENTURING NEWSLETTER

Gordon is the current Northeast Region Venturing Advisor. He is an exemplary mentor to youth and helps guide them through their various projects and tasks with much ease. He has truly dedicated his service to Venturing, strengthening the Northeast Region and connecting all regions to work seamlessly as one unified national program.

Elizabeth is the current Western Region Venturing Advisor and a member of the National Venturing Committee. Throughout all of her many leadership positions, she is ever cheerful and dedicated to serving Venturing. Elizabeth supports and encourages the youth in all of her plans for Venturing in her region and nationally. She makes it clear that the youth are the ones to Lead the Adventure.

Thank You, Robbie DiBiagio THE NATIONAL VENTURING ADVISOR WILL BE STEPPING DOWN FROM HIS POSITION AT THE END OF THIS TERM.

possible with the volunteers. Robbie is constantly pouring into Venturers. To him, seeing youth leaders emerge and hone in on their skills is the only reward he needs:

ARTICLE BY NICOLE STEELE

or the past two years, Robbie DiBiagio has served as the National Venturing Advisor. He works tirelessly to support the National and Region Venturing Officers’ Associations in “delivering the best Venturing program possible.” Still, his dedication to Scouting goes farther back than his most recent position. Robbie recalls that immediately after joining the program, “Scouting turned into an environment where we could have fun, take on new adventures, and build teams. I loved every minute of it!” This love hasn’t faded at all. As soon as Robbie could, he joined Venturing. His Crew was eager to gain as many new experiences as possible. According to Robbie, “Adventure is what you make it, and we sure did try everything!” As a youth, Robbie was a member of his VOA (then known as a “Teen Leader Council”). He also did everything from staffing trainings, to visiting various high adventure bases and cities, to simply playing pool with other Venturers. Of course, as does the typical Scout, many of Robbie’s nights were spent around a campfire. To him, “There is nothing like laughing, joking around, and even signing with a group of great people.” Robbie still spends many of his days around a campfire, only now it is in a different capacity. His main goals as the National Venturing Advisor were to support the NVOA officers, deliver the best possible Venturing program to its participants, and be as transparent as

Watching and supporting all these youth leaders achieve things they never thought possible and overcoming monumental challenges is one of the most rewarding experiences an Advisor can have. Every day, I wake up so blessed to be serving a VOA and seeing everything our youth leaders are doing. It’s what keeps me energized!

The National Venturing Committee and everyone in the program who has met Robbie are so grateful for all that he does. It is no mistake that Robbie is both an NVLA and Silver Antelope Award recipient. Meanwhile, Robbie simply remains grateful for everything the Venturing program has done for him:

As a product of the program and now an Advisor, I can firmly attest that Venturing can change your life. Adventure is in the eyes of the beholder. I love that this program gives all our youth so many opportunities to go and experience new things. From leadership to character development, Venturing is and always will set the stage for our future success. There is nothing else like it!

At the end of this term, Robbie will be stepping down from the role of National Venturing Advisor, with Julie Dalton succeeding him. The National Venturing Committee remains grateful for his service to the program and looks forward to seeing all that he accomplishes in his future adventures. SPRING EDITION

Gail Plucker's SERVICE TO SCOUTING

umble, good-humored, and eager to serve. After just a minute of talking to her, it was clear that these attributes described Gail Plucker. As a mother of two boys, Gail first got involved in Scouting 23 years ago when her sons joined Cub Scouts. She has held multiple roles, including various levels of commission hood, the Churchill Plan Territory Structure Committee, and the Culture Team. She has served as the Southern Region Commissioner for two years and will be stepping down at the end of the term. Part of her commissioner role also included serving as the Subject Matter Expert for Venturing. As she sits in on calls with the Venturing Key 3, NVOA, National Executive Committee, and more, her unit service background lends her to providing a different perspective on Venturing topics. Still, it’s her passion for creative ideas and supporting the youth that make her an excellent asset to Venturing. In her words: "I have always found it difficult to present someone else's ideas. It’s very hard to sustain any level of passion for the program when you use someone else's words. You don’t want someone to write the presentation for you. That is using someone else's voice and ideas. It’s important for everyone to find their voice, pull their chair up to the table, and speak what they believe to be the truth. Putting ideas in your own words and conveying it… to me, is much more satisfying than presenting what everybody has presented before with the same voice. To me, it allows for more

VENTURING NEWSLETTER

| BY NICOLE STEELE

creativity. That’s the place where new ideas and change are born… if everybody can just bring that creativity and collaboration to the table. "What excites me the most about sitting in on NVOA calls or Executive Committee calls is that I am thrilled about how collaborative everyone is, knowing that these young people have only been together for a short while and pull together such professional looking--and feeling--presentations. There’s an excitement in those calls that’s really hard to match… Everyone has such a good understanding of what they want to do to impact the program--mostly because it's their program and they want to see it thrive and grow for others. For me, the NVOA structure is what we should look to for guidance of older youth programs. They are closer to its success, having lived the program and knowing firsthand what it has to offer." Gail is a strong advocate for doing whatever it takes to make Scouting the best it can be. She believes that “retention resides in the program,” so she is always asking herself: “Am I helping somebody, or some units, or the program in general?” and “Is it something that brings both program and unit service closer together?” The answer to those two questions is yes--Gail has greatly helped the Scouting program through all of her volunteer work. We thank her specifically for her past two years as the Southern Region Commissioner, and we can’t wait to see the other ways she will be impacting lives.

Personal Growth

THE HISTORY OF POWDER HORN Page 22

AN ADVISOR'S ADVICE

BRENT UBERTY'S SUCCESS STORY

Page 24

Page 28 SPRING EDITION

History Powder Horn THE

By Donna Cunningham Revised by T. Itsarapakdetam In 1983, a 37-year-old woman named Louise was reading Boy’s Life magazine and learned of an Outdoor Exploring High Adventure training in Lubbock, Texas. This event later became the inspiration for Powder Horn. The training was scheduled for the spring, and for the Texas Panhandle, that means it could be hot, sunny, raining, windy, tornado, or snowing. Louise packed her camping gear (a new tent and random equipment borrowed from her two Scout sons) into her car and started her two-hour drive to Lubbock. She had learned about “High Adventure” in the outdoors during a 1978 Wood Badge course but had never experienced real high adventure in person. The course material said it would cover climbing & rappelling, small boat sailing, camping, backpacking, snow skiing, canoeing, and much more. After getting lost on the Loop around Lubbock, she finally arrived at the “camp” (aka a park). About eight people showed up from around the country. They probably came to see what snow skiing in Lubbock was like. Louise promptly lost her car keys. Thinking she had 22

VENTURING NEWSLETTER

locked them in the trunk of the car, a state trooper came to her rescue and succeeded in messing up the electronic system to her car. Just as he managed to get the trunk open, Louise found the keys in her pocket. After supper, the group pitched their tents and settled in for the night. There was lightning, wind, and nonstop rain that soaked her brand new tent. The next day was somewhat better with small boat sailing, canoeing, and cross country skiing on the grass. A wall and ladder were used for climbing and rappelling. Backpacking and other outdoor skills were covered. Then, everyone loaded up and went for showers at a local high school (where someone forgot to turn on the water heater). The crew pitched their tents at Camp Haynes at 2:00 A.M. Cold, hungry, and tired, Louise settled in for the night. As she tried to sleep, Louise began to shake—shake as she had never shaken before. She’d read about hypothermia and was afraid that was what she was experiencing. She knew that she had to get warm, but Louise could not light a fire due to her shaking. Desperate, she crawled out of her tent and went to the first tent she saw. Wayne, a man in his 70’s, was sound asleep. Louise woke him and told him her problem. He soon realized the danger and made her some tea and helped her get warm. The short night was soon over, but Wayne and Louise never forgot it.

Needless to say, the training had a rough start. It did, however, get better with the 250-foot cliffs and slow rappels the next day. Soon, the shy Louise was enjoying herself. Still, she was unaware of the fact that what she was learning that weekend would help thousands of youth in Exploring and Venturing. She went home and started a High Adventure Explorer Post. The post had as many as 250 youth. They went SCUBA diving, snow skiing, water skiing, climbing & rappelling, camping, and much more. They were in Boy’s Life three times and participated in a training video. Shy Louise went to one small outdoor training event in Lubbock, Texas 38 years ago, and her life was forever changed. Similarly, the Powder Horn course can change the life of the Venturing Crew Advisor. Incidentally, Louise is Donna Louise Cunningham of Amarillo, Texas, one of the Ranger Guidebook authors and the first Course Director for Powder Horn. Donna and her husband, Larry, were also founding members of the Venturing program we know today. The first Explorer Adult Outdoor training was done in Amarillo, Texas in September 1997. It was such a success that the Outdoor Committee decided to

pursue these advisor trainings further. The Cunninghams were given the responsibility of developing the syllabus, which was the beginning of Powder Horn. The first National Powder Horn course was conducted in the Philmont backcountry Hunting Lodge in September of 1999; 50 participants attended. Cimarroncito was used as a program area, as well as Webster Parks and Aspen Springs for the overnights. Powder Horn was originally designed for advisors to gain resources to provide to Venturers working towards their Ranger Award. The course allows that advisor to “taste” high adventure. Similar to what Donna’s first experience of the outdoors did for her, Powder Horn gives them the confidence they need to find experts and resources to help them provide experiences to their youths. Today, Powder Horn is a resource management training course that is open to adults and youth over the age of 14 and across all programs. The beauty of Powder Horn is that every course is unique and provides different experiences. The inspiration it brings to adults translates to exciting programs for many more youth.

Older Youth Programs AN ESSENTIAL PART OF SCOUTING

Philmont Training Center July 18-24, 2021 | SAVE THE DATE! Open to all Venturers, VOA officers, volunteer advisors, and staff advisors to create new ideas that will fuel the programming efforts of our organization, discuss the future of Venturing, and gain tools to bring back to your units and VOA's to help your unit or VOA thrive.

Between the t-shirts, flags, cardboard standups, and stickers with his face on them, it is clear that this man is loved by the Venturers he encounters. I met him the first year I was in Venturing, and he continues to be the most influential person in my Scouting career. He has been a stand-out advisor who helps shape countless leaders, both youth and adults. He is an advisor that all could learn from. But before I get into how he took his position to the next level, who is this man? Tanadet Itsarapakdetam, otherwise known as “T,” was an active Scout in Thailand and Kentucky throughout his youth. When he eventually moved to California, he became an adult leader in Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Sea Scouts, and Venturing when it formed. He is one of the few people still alive to have served as the Course Director of Wood Badge, Seabadge, and Powder Horn courses and has been on NYLT staff for multiple councils. Tanadet has also been involved in every level of Venturing, from ARTICLE BY NICOLE STEELE Crew level to National. And this isn’t even his full resume.

AN ADVISOR'S ADVICE Tanadet Itsarapakdetam

VENTURING NEWSLETTER

ADVICE FROM TANADET 1. “REMEMBER THAT YOU ARE SERVING THE YOUTH.” At the end of the day, Venturing

“I owe my successes in life to Scouting and the opportunities that were given to me when I was a Scout. To be able to provide an opportunity or guidance to the youth, it’s my way of giving back to the program.” Needless to say, Tanadet’s done it all. Still, the position he considers to be the highlight of his career is Western Region Area 4 Venturing Advisor. As with many other advisors, Tanadet strived to highlight the Venturing program to the various councils and equip Venturers to be leaders in every aspect of life. As a result, Tanadet helped start multiple council VOAs, created a family-like environment within his VOA, and helped directly shape several national and international Venturing youth leaders. There’s no question that Tanadet was an exceptional advisor. Tanadet went above and beyond in every aspect of the typical advisor position as well as implemented a number of his own ideas. In light of that, I composed a list of some of Tanadet’s advice and best practices for other advisors. While these tips are specifically aimed towards VOAs, they can be used at all levels.

TANDADET WITH HIS "T" CUP --------->

isn’t about the advisors. Your goal isn’t to lead the VOA, it’s to teach the VOA how to lead. Remember to support the youth officers and help them make their ideas come true.

2. “PREPARE OFFICERS TO HANDLE LEADERSHIP ROLES BEYOND THEIR VOA.” Mentor

the officers and help them grow in specific skill sets that you see potential for. As a result, they may be better equipped for other Venturing positions or entering the workfield.

3. “ENCOURAGE COMMUNITY.” A team that

works best together is a team that is comfortable together. Many of my favorite Venturing memories are f rom my time as an Area VOA officer because our officers were all f riends. Tanadet ensured that we could work as a team and build f riendships by scheduling multiple team-bonding activities. These consisted of little-to-no work, but were some of the most constructive meetings of the year. Because I felt comfortable with the other officers, I was able to collaborate with them more efficiently.

4. “PLAN AHEAD.” In Tanadet’s words, “Edu-

cation and family come before Venturing, but be responsible with your task and the fact that you committed to a VOA.” To leave room for unexpected personal commitments, “preparation is the key.” Help your youth come up with a plan, help them work towards their goal ahead of the actual deadline, and keep checking in on their progress.

5. “UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF MANPOWER.” Tanadet added support positions

for each vice president. This allowed for more work to be accomplished and ensured that a task could still be completed if something arose in an officer’s personal life. Tanadet always reminds people, “You are not in this alone.” There are always associate advisors, other officers, and more volunteers willing to help; all you need to do is ask.

6. “EQUIP YOUR OFFICERS.” Do your officers

have all of the knowledge, program software, and mentors that they need for success? “Provide the necessary tools for the VOA to be able to complete the tasks at hand.”

7. “GIVE RESOURCES AND OPPORTUNITIES TO ALL VENTURERS, NOT JUST OFFICERS.” Tana-

det did this by helping his VOAs host several training days and events. He also personally organized a VenturingFest contingency that toured Washington D.C.. A VOA’s goal is ultimately to give back to the Venturers. Remember, then, to support and interact with Venturers outside of the VOA.

8. “COMMUNICATE WELL AND CONSISTENTLY.”

Tanadet pushed his Vice Presidents of Communication to manage multiple social media platforms, email lists, and an electronic newsletter. As a result, Venturers in his area became more involved in the program. Still, internal communication was also necessary for a successful VOA.

11. “SUPPORT THE COUNCILS AND CREWS.” Tana-

det encouraged his Area VOA to work with local councils to establish Venturing programs. For example, Tanadet worked with a council to have it host a monthly WR A4 Shooting Sports day. “The council was able to keep the revenue, and the area was able to offer a larger program to all Venturers in the area.” His VOAs also supported council-specific events and hosted their own events as models for councils. Likewise, Councils should support Crews.

12. “FINANCES ARE IMPORTANT.” Look for cre-

9. “STAY CONSISTENT.” If you have an annual

event, try to keep it on the same weekend every year so that people can plan ahead. “Repetition with a twist,” is what Tanadet likes to call it. “Make program specifics fresh and new, but keep the same format that works best for your VOA.”

10. “MAINTAIN STRONG COMMUNICATION WITH OTHER VOLUNTEERS.” This includes Scout

Executives, Staff Advisors, volunteers, and Commissioners near you. It’s important to keep everyone on the same page. Additionally, this open communication can lead to wisdom f rom others improving the VOA’s impact.

ative ways to increase revenue at both your level and the level you support. As an Area Advisor, Tanadet looked for sponsorships or small events to help councils. By showing the councils how important they were to the Venturing program, he increased the number of engaged Venturers and volunteers.

13. “CELEBRATE TOGETHER.” Western Region

Area 4 was possibly the first area to host a banquet, and about 100 Scouts and Scouters attend each year. These banquets are a time of community, reflection of the year’s accomplishments, and recognition of outstanding Venturers. The banquets unite Venturers.

SPRING EDITION

Brent Uberty's Vent u ring Success Story

ARTICLE BY NICOLE STEELE

rom Crew level to National, Venturing is run

by youth. This unique aspect of the program helps shape leaders, giving them the skills and confidence to thrive both in and out of Scouting. Former Western Region Venturing President Brent Uberty is a testament to this point. Brent took the experiences he gained from various leadership positions in Scouting and applied them to his professional world, where he now runs his own photography and video production company. As a youth, Brent was an active Scout. In addition to being heavily involved in the Order of the Arrow, Brent was a strong leader in the Venturing program. While serving as a council Venturing Officers’ Association President, he organized many events such as that year’s annual battle of the bands-----a competition where many came to watch both Scouting and non-Scouting bands compete for time in a recording studio. This large-scale event was an innovative way to raise money and awareness for every Scouting program in their council. As he moved through the program, Brent started up his Area VOA; served as the 2011-2012 Western Region President; received the 28

VENTURING NEWSLETTER

National Venturing Leadership Award; and even acted as the youth voice in the 2012 task force to discuss the restructuring or formation of VOAs, rank advancements, the National Venturing Committee, and more. Arguably the most unique aspect of his time as a Scout was when he served as the National BSA Marketing Intern. As he created content to represent the Boy Scouts of America and be distributed to its members, Brent gained hands-on experience in the world of marketing. In addition to having his own cubicle in the National office, Brent got to travel, attend important press conferences, and run a patrol at the 2013 National Jamboree dedicated to collecting multimedia content to promote Scouting. Like many Venturers, Brent got to work with incredible Scouts and Scouters throughout his numerous positions as a youth.

e nal Ja m bore e 2013 Natio Brent at th

Being able to lead and network was the most important part of starting my business, and that’s a great time for Scouting. One of the most important things I learned from Scouting was networking and the importance of relationships… As a youth member, you’re usually outnumbered by adults in the room, but you’re outnumbered by a lot of experience, a lot of knowledge, and a lot of connections.

Those connections played a significant part in Brent’s path to success. Brent soon realized, “The cubicle life wasn’t for me. I liked the flexibility of working for myself and being able to really tell stories, and that was kind of where I started my path with video production and photography.” However, to pursue visual media, Brent needed people who were willing to take a risk and hire a college-aged student, which is where his previous networking paid off. These clients would then refer him to others, allowing his business to flourish. Still, working as a freelancer was hard and often led to him working alone. Brent recalls, “I hated working by myself and I missed having people around, so I wanted to change that.” And he did. Instead of waiting for a new opportunity to come, Brent took action and founded BW Productions. As the Managing Director, Brent does a lot of marketing, client relations, management, and whatever else it takes to keep the business running.

Brent as the Managing Dire ctor at BW Pr oduction s SPRING EDITION

Brent being recognized as one of Utah Business' 20 in Their 20s

He gets to work with a team of other creative individuals doing what he loves: telling stories through visual formats. In 2020, Brent was even named one of Utah Business’ 20 in Their 20s, which recognizes twenty young, successful professionals who bring innovative ideas to their fields. In addition to always treating everyone with respect and networking, Brent says one of his biggest pieces of advice for up-andcoming professionals is this:

Follow your dreams. If you have a dream, don’t be afraid to tell people what it is, because people are going to help you get there. I wouldn’t be where I am today without a few of my clients and mentors… And also, just have fun with everything you do. No matter what job you’re doing ---- if that’s work, or if it’s Scouting or school --- there’s always something to have fun with; make sure you have fun with it and run with it.

VENTURING NEWSLETTER

Despite having aged out of Venturing and becoming a successful entrepreneur, Brent still finds time to give back to Scouting. At age 25, he served as his council Vice President of Marketing, making him one of the BSA’s youngest professional vice presidents. He has also served various other roles, including overseeing and managing the public relations of three councils merging. From all of his time with Scouting, here is one of Brent’s favorite takeaways: With Scouting, we live the Scout Oath and the Scout Law, and those two statements are so powerful… By living the Scout Oath and Scout Law every day, it’s just helped me with everything I’ve done from relationships to business to family to friends. No matter what profession one pursues, their time in Scouting prepares them for it. Scouting teaches youth to be leaders and take charge of something they want to happen, instills great morals, and connects them to many peers and mentors who will be able to help them in their future. Whether that future is running your own production company, working at a national park, serving as mayor, or being a chiropractor, we’re excited to see what dream you pursue.

Service

CREW 350'S SERVICE PROJECT Page 32

VENTURER EARNS MEDAL OF MERIT

A VENTURER'S NON-PROFIT

Page 34

Page 38

SUMMIT RANK REQUIREMENTS Page 36 SPRING EDITION

Crew 350's Service Project SETH ALLEN | PRESIDENT, VENTURING CREW 350 EVANSVILLE, IN. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

rowing up, I attended All Saints Parish every Sunday; it’s not an uncommon sight to see homeless people walking the streets of Evansville, IN while on your way to mass. I have always had a passion for helping others, so it pained me to see the less fortunate on the streets and sidewalks. As I developed myself through Scouts, I made it my goal to establish my Eagle Scout project around the idea of helping people. With that said, I completed my Eagle project at Saint Vincent De Paul Thrift Store in the downtown area, where the number of people in need increases daily. I built new outside carts to hold donations, a wall in the store to help display items, and storage bins for blankets, pillows, and linens. These actions allowed the store to accept and display a larger number of donations required for everyday living, increasing their influence on the community.

VENTURING NEWSLETTER

Fast forward to today, and the need to help the less fortunate in our community still exists. With COVID-19 wiping out a myriad of jobs across America, many are struggling to get back on their feet financially. I took it upon myself to help them. I didn’t want to see anyone this year without a gift to open during the holiday season, but with the cold weather and Christmas right around the corner, I knew I had to act fast on coming up with a plan. As president of Crew 350, my first thought was to ask my crew to help me collect hats, gloves, and socks for people in need, and they eagerly obliged. However, this was no easy task. There was a lot of communication and logistics required for picking up items and completing daily inventory counts. In the end, between Crew 350, family, and friends, we ended up collecting over 450 items. Our crew then wrapped the gifts. Each gift bag had three individually wrapped items, such as a hat, socks, gloves, scarves, or hand warmers. We sorted the bags between male, female, and gender-neutral before it was time to package these items as gifts for the public. We spent many meetings leading up to the event wrapping each individual gift. If it wasn’t for the support of Crew 350 and our community, this project could not have been accomplished.

On the day of handing out the gifts, I asked for the help of my fellow Venturers. As we arrived at the soup kitchen, the wind was blowing, and a chill was in the air. We placed gifts on the tables. Food from the soup kitchen was already prepared--a practice our church has done every Wednesday for several years. People were already lining up to receive a hot meal. On that day, not only would their bellies be warm with food, but they would also be able to keep their hands, heads, and feet warm. We ended up donating a total of over 150 bags to those in need. We were elated with the impact we made on the lives of others around us. All it takes is a simple act of kindness to change someone’s life for the better.

Proof That Scouting, Venturing, and the Opportunity for Heroism Are for Everyone | By Jim Agar

“I just wanted to take care of my Gran.” ----- OLIVER AGAR, WESTFIELD, N.J. 2021 BSA MEDAL OF MERIT RECIPIENT

n a Saturday afternoon last September, while doing his chores around the house, Venturer Oliver “Olbie” Agar, 14, heard a pained groan from another part of the home. Rushing to investigate, he found that his 86-year-old grandmother had fallen out of the back door of the house and down several stairs, coming to rest on patio pavers. She had obviously been injured. He would later learn that she lost her balance while attempting to let the family dog into the backyard. Olbie immediately took charge of the situation, summoning his parents; instructing his father to call 911 and reminding him to let the dispatcher hang up first; seeing to it that his younger brother was kept away from the scene; keeping his grandmother comfortable and helping her avoid shock; meeting the paramedics upon their arrival and leading them to where his grandmother had fallen; providing a complete report of the events; and even telling the paramedics to be careful of her chronically bad left shoulder. He stayed with her throughout the ordeal, keeping her calm and encouraged, and insisted on being by her side until the moment the ambulance doors closed. He took care to remind his father, who would be meeting the ambulance at a local emergency room, not to forget his “Gran’s” lists of medications and allergies.

VENTURING NEWSLETTER

In short, Olbie put to work what he had learned along his nearly nine year Scouting trail-----including elements of his First Aid and Safety merit badges that he’d recently earned and the Emergency Preparedness merit badge that was then in progress. Notably, he did so with helpfulness, kindness, and bravery, embracing different aspects of the Scout Law. Scouts never know when an opportunity might arise to employ the skills they have learned in the program; however, Olbie’s experience demonstrates the importance of actually living by the Scout Motto, “Be Prepared.”

Of all the people who are impressed by Olbie’s cool-headedness and presence-of-mind, it is his grandmother who is most appreciative and proud. “I have many different health conditions,” she said. “I don’t think I’d be here if it weren’t for Oliver hearing me and knowing exactly what to do to help.” After being diagnosed with a concussion, multiple contusions, and injuries to her shoulder, arm, and foot, she was released from the hospital and has since made a full recovery and celebrated her 87th birthday. What makes this story most inspiring is who Olbie is. Born with both autism and moderate intellectual disabilities, Olbie is a young man who has never accepted being anything less than the best he can be. First joining Scouting at the end of kindergarten as a Tiger Cub in Franklin, Mass., he was in a den and pack of neurotypical peers whose relationship with him was of great mutual benefit. After earning all of his Cub Scout ranks, several trail medals, and two religious emblems, Olbie transitioned seamlessly into Scouts BSA in the 5th grade. Rising through the ranks both before and after his family’s move to New Jersey a few years ago, Olbie is proud to have earned 43 merit badges (and counting); has earned two additional religious emblems; is planning to present himself as a 15-year-old candidate for Eagle Scout by the end of 2021; and is planning to attend both a National Jamboree and participate in a Philmont trek over the next few years-all in addition to moving up toward Venturing’s Summit! Outside of Scouting, Olbie is active in the Special Olympics, a program in which he is a dedicated bowler and has earned statewide medals in swimming and soccer in both Massachusetts and New Jersey. He is also an alumnus of Best Buddies International, the world’s largest organization dedicated to ending the social isolation of youth and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and greatly enjoys

The Medal of Merit recognizes those who have performed acts of service of a rare or exceptional character that reflect an uncommon degree of concern for the well being of others.

|| || || || || ||

OLIVER AT THE SPECIAL OLYMPICS

helping the less fortunate through participation in service organizations at his school and relief ministries at his church. Most importantly, Olbie is a great friend to everyone he meets. For employing skills learned through Scouting in an extraordinary way, his local council recommended Olbie for special recognition. The BSA’s National Court of Honor elected to award him the Medal of Merit for a job well done. Olbie will be presented with the prestigious medal, certificate, and square knot at a council-wide event this summer. What does Olbie think of all this? He said simply, “I just wanted to help my Gran. I really love her. I’m really glad I helped her not die. That is why I’d really like to be a nurse when I grow up.” Of his experience in Scouting, Olbie reflects: “I like that I have friends who have disabilities like me and I have friends who don’t. I love summer camp and can’t wait to go there and earn more merit badges where I can learn important stuff once this virus is over!” Well said, Olbie. So far, you have done and you have dared everything to “Be Prepared.” We can’t wait to see where Venturing and life take you. You’re an inspiration who embodies the notion that Scouting, including Venturing, is for everyone!

SPRING EDITION

SUMMIT RANK REQUIREMENTS

If you’re involved with the Venturing program, it’s likely you’ve heard about the famous Summit Rank. The Summit Rank teaches Venturers how to be leaders in their program and gives them handson experience that helps them mature as both individuals and members of a team. Similar to a BSA Eagle Award, this is Venturing’s highest honor and requires a service project to better their community. If you’ve been keeping up with The Venturing Newsletter, then you’ve probably noticed some of the exceptional Summit projects we’ve featured in previous editions. Still, there’s more to the Summit Rank than just the project that everyone talks about, so let’s dive into what these other requirements are! A DV E N T U R E

• Participate in at least three additional (for a total of seven) Tier II or Tier III adventures. To earn the Summit Rank, a Venturer must have participated in at least one Tier III adventure and served as a leader during one adventure. CONTINUED

----------->

VENTURING NEWSLETTER

*There are four ranks in Venturing: Venturing, Discovery, Pathfinder, and Summit. These requirements are for those who have already earned the Pathfinder Rank and are looking to earn the Summit Rank.

LEADERSHIP

P E R S O N A L G R OW T H

• Complete BSA Mentoring Training prior to initiating mentoring relationships. • Since earning Pathfinder, mentor another Venturer in the planning and implementation of an activity. • Complete two of the following: • Since earning Pathfinder, serve actively as a Crew or VOA officer for six months. • Participate in or serve on staff for a leadership training course. • Lead the delivery of Introduction to Leadership Skills for Crews. SERVICE

• Since earning the Pathfinder Rank, plan, develop, and give leadership to others in a service project helpful to a religious institution, school, or community outside of the Boy Scouts of America. Before you start, complete your project proposal and get it approved.

• Since earning the Pathfinder Rank, complete a structured personal reflection. Use this reflection to prepare for goal setting and as part of your Advisor conference. Explore two of the following realms: “Adventures of Faith”, “Adventures of Self”, or “Adventures of Others”. • Create a personal code of conduct. This code of conduct should be guided by your explorations in the realms of faith, self, and others. • Since earning the Pathfinder Rank, lead an ethical controversy and conflict resolution scenario with members of your Venturing crew. • Participate in an Advisor conference. As a part of this conference, share your code of conduct with your Advisor, and explain how your explorations of faith, self, and others, and your goal-setting exercises, influenced the development of your code. • After your Advisor conference, successfully complete a crew board of review.

Extraordinary Venturer of the Year Award

The Extraordinary Venturer of the Year Award is presented to Venturers who have demonstrated extraordinary service in their community. This extraordinary service could be expressed through leadership, a single act of meritorious service, or on-going service to others beyond what is normally expected. The Extraordinary Venturer of the Year will be recognized during the 2021 Virtual Venturing Reception at the end of May via Facebook Live. All nominations must be submitted no later than April 31, 2021.

Qualifications | The nominee must:

• Be a registered Venturer as of May 31, 2021. • Have been a registered Venturer during the act of service(s) for which they are being nominated for. • Have demonstrated exceptional service to their community and exemplify the qualities noted in the Scout Oath and Scout Law.

HOW DO I NOMINATE SOMEONE?

Simply fill out the form below by ------- April 30, 2021 ------Nomination Form

SPRING EDITION

DRIP DROP A NON-PROFIT FOUNDED BY SCOUTS

BY GORDON MEIER, MATT SANKER, AND MIKE SANKER ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It's common to hear news about pollution issues around our incredible planet. Many see this as a sizeable existential issue facing all of us. The main question is, what are we as a society doing about it? We formed Drip Drop in, facing this issue head-on. Drip Drop is a nonprofit formed in Michigan to effectively create an operating system to clean our natural resources and to develop its members to their best self. For example, litter lining Michigan highways seep into the watershed that leads into the largest freshwater assets in the United States. The Great Lakes. According to many scientific studies, there is a detrimental impact on wildlife calling the Great Lakes Region home. Drip Drop strives to innovate the way we deal with this issue. We are finding new ways to recycle these pollutants into useful and creative items that serve daily human functions. With crowdfunding efforts, we can do our best to help save our planet. We do this through our annual membership dues of $2 and donations from those who want to support our organization. You can find all resources on joining or donating on our website: https://readytosaveearth.com/ Drip Drop is a movement, and we would love for you to be a part of it! Find out more specific answers to some common questions below. WHAT DOES DRIP DROP DO?

Clean and purify earth by: Collecting, distilling, producing, repeat. DRIP DROP’S OVERALL GOAL IS TO:

To live on a healthy and peaceful planet! WHAT IS DRIP DROP?

FROM TOP TO BOTTOM:

MIKE SANKER, GORDON MEIER, MATT SANKER

VENTURING NEWSLETTER

Instill drive in the public to follow a path of self-betterment. We collect and harvest pollutants with the sole intention of recycling/repurposing them. We attempt to offer complimentary programs designed on waking up humanity and assembling the community through individual growth.

WHAT WILL GENERAL MEMBERS OF DRIP DROP DO?

Members are eligible for future prizes, competitions, creative opportunities, access to self and community betterment, and a plethora of perks! WHAT IS THE LONG-TERM PLAN?

We are conceptualizing a step-by-step guide to achieving a totally green society that is completely self-sustaining by working closely with mother earth. This will include many products made out of recycled materials and an armada of goods/packages created out of natural substitutes. HOW DOES DRIP DROP COLLECT POLLUTION?

We patrol line sections of freeways, rivers, cityscapes, and nature parks. We hope to start collection systems and develop special machinery for such. RECYCLED ITEMS DRIP DROP WILL PRODUCE?

Everyday household items, such as waste bins, small furniture, creative pieces, workout equipment, camping equipment, and so much more! We are specifically working on a cruiser skateboard made out of recycled material called the “Droplet.” WHAT CAN ANYONE DO TO SPREAD AWARENESS FOR DRIP DROP?

Post “#DripDrop” and “#ReadytoSaveEarth” on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook or “@ ‘ing” us on Tik Tok. We encourage creative individuals to make artistic pieces that are associated with cleaning/saving the world. Shout us out on your social media post, which will be followed by Drip Drop promoting your work. Shout our name and purpose from the rooftops!

Are you interested in getting involved? Visit our membership and donation tabs on our website. CLICK HERE

SPRING EDITION

LIST OF UPCOMING

EVENTS

APR 2021 - JUL 2021

April 9 WR Venturing Open House April 9-11 SR A9 Pirates of Venturing April 9-17 WR Venturers on the Hunt, A West Quest April 10-11 SR A7 Virtual Venturing Training April 14-16 NER A4 QUAD April 17 CR A6 Goal Setting & Time Management Training April 22 NER State of the Region April 23-25 NER A6 Phenomenon April 30 Nomination Deadline for Extraordinary Venturer of the Year May 1-2 CR A4 Worldfest May 7-9 NER A2 Apex May 7-9 CR A2 Kickback May 7-9 SR A3 Venturing Challenge May 15 CR A2 Virtual Adieu May 23 NER Area 3 Event May 28-30 NER A1 Zenith June 11-13 NER Venturing Out of the Past & Into the Future July 18-24 Older Youth Programs: An Essential Part of Scouting

VIEW MORE AT VENTURING.ORG

Facebook: @BSAVenturing

*NOTE: some events may be canceled or postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Instagram: @VenturingBSA

Twitter: @VenturingBSA