ENTER THE “VENTURING 10^TH ANNIVERSARY” PHOTO CONTEST

What images do you think best reflect the essence of Venturing? Capture them with your camera and then enter your favorite photographs in the “Venturing 10^th Anniversary” photo contest.

The contest is open to all registered youth members of the Venturing program.  Photos will be judged in four categories:

1.   Wildlife

2.   People

3.   The Spirit of Venturing

4.   Spirit of Patriotism

 Our judges will be looking for the photographs that best exhibit creativity, originality, and visual beauty.  A winning photograph will be selected for each of the four categories.  From the four winners, one photograph will be selected as the Grand Prize Winner.

One winner from each of the four categories will receive a $200 BSA Supply gift card.

The Grand Prize Winner will receive a $400 BSA Supply gift certificate, and a three-day, all expenses paid trip with his/her parents to New York City to attend the annual Explorers Club meeting as the guest of Richard Wiese, the youngest ever president of The Explorers Club.  Members of The Explorers Club include:  Neil Armstrong (space), Robert Ballard (ocean exploration), Scott Carpenter (space), Jim Fowler (zoology), William Koch (sailing), Steven Squyres (space, Mars), Charles “Chuck” Yeager (test pilot).  For more information on The Explorers Club, go to www.explorers.org.

The winners and their photographs will also be shown on the Venturing web site.

 RULES FOR ENTERING

• Open to all registered youth members of the Venturing program. Entries must be received between March 1, 2008, and August 1, 2008.

• No more than three entries per person.

• Contest entrants may go to the link provided by www.scouting.org/venturing to upload their digital images for this contest.

• All entries should be submitted digitally.  Digital photographs should be taken using the camera’s highest quality setting.

• Pictures cannot be altered in any way, including using software such as Photoshop, etc.

• All photographs must be submitted with:

• name

  address

  daytime and evening phone numbers

  unit number and position (if applicable)

  council name

  e-mail address

For the purpose of the contest, all entries become the property of the Boy Scouts of America. Winners must certify that photographs are their own original work.

 The decisions of the judges are final.

The Venturing Officer Orientation website.

A comprehensive training for new crew officers.  Using colorful descriptive images and video clips, this training site explains the role of the crew’s officers, gives job descriptions, explains the planning process as well as the crew officer briefing and crew officers seminar.  This educational and motivational training is built around the scenario of a crew planning a trip to New York City.  Visit www.scouting.org/venturing today! (Look under training)

TRUST: Religious & Community Life Award

In the years since Venturing started, the program has been defined by the activities Venturers do. Nationally, Religious and Community Life crews form the largest population in Venturing. Following in the tradition of the Quartermaster, Ranger, and Quest awards, a similar, challenging award program has therefore been created for Venturing's religious life emphasis. The TRUST award is a unique opportunity for the youth of Venturing. Click here to learn more.

New Venturing Literature

Venturing and Your Youth Ministry, No. 25-326 Do you need to reach Christian-based churches? This promotional brochure introduces the Venturing program to youth ministries. It focuses on enhancing churches' young adult program and offers a brief insight into Venturing and how prospective organizations can get started. Sea Scouts Brochure, No. 25-353 This recently updated brochure gives a young person a glimpse into the wonderful activities of Sea Scouts, communicating the opportunities of joining, traditions of Sea Scouts, and the development of leadership skills.

Shooting Sports Outstanding Achievement Award

While working on the Ranger Shooting Sports elective, Venturers are required to complete one of the following disciplines: air pistol, air rifle, archery, muzzle-loading rifle, shotgun, or small bore rifle. However, Venturers who go beyond the basic requirement and complete five of the six disciplines will earn the Venturing Shooting Sports Outstanding Achievement Award. This beautiful medal and certificate are sponsored by many companies and organizations in the shooting sports industry to recognize outstanding achievement in shooting sports.

• Download the application form