Abigail Craig, a junior at Justin Siena High School, has a brother who was a Boy Scout. As he was out exploring, Abigail couldn’t help but wonder: Is there an equivalent program that girls can participate in? With help from the Boy Scouts of America, she found out about Venture Crew, a program in which any person between the ages of 14-12 challenge themselves physically and mentally.
“It’s a way to empower young girls to be leaders,” says Lauren Worona, sophomore and vice president of Venturing Crew 16. “It’s all led by the (venturers).”
According to the Boy Scouts of America website, “Venturing was officially created by the Boy Scouts of America’s executive board in 1998. Venturing’s purpose is to provide positive experiences to help young people mature and to prepare them to become responsible and caring adults.”
Venturing is an outgrowth of the Explorer Scouts. According to Worona, the group goes on six outings a year. The teens plan and organize the trips.
Their first outing was to Muir Woods. They went camping in the forest and visited a site where scenes from Star Wars were shot. Although this is their first official excursion, they have also visited the Sonoma Ropes Course and have also have done community service, including assisting their parent organization with their program, Flags Across America.
Since Venturing Crew 16 is currently the only troop in the area, members commute from Napa, Yountville and other surrounding cities.
Venturing is the fastest growing branch of the Boy Scouts of America. The program shares many values with their parent company, including the Leave No Trace motto and the Scout Code.
This program allows young people to push themselves to strengthen their leadership, as well as their social and physical abilities.
The program differs from their parent organization in several major ways. Primarily, any gender is allowed to join. Additionally, there are strict age limits; according to their website, venturing is “for young men and women who are 13 and have completed the eighth grade, or age 14 through 20 years of age.”
Students who are are interested in joining should email Lauren Worona at leworona@gmail.com.
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Cian Martin is a student at Sonoma Valley High School. This article originally appeared in the school newspaper, A Dragon’s Tale.
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