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Venturing is a youth development program of the Boy Scouts of America for young men and women who are 14 (and have completed the eighth grade) through 20 years of age.

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 based on a unique and dynamic relationship between youth, adult leaders, and organizations in their communities. Local community organizations establish a Venturing crew by matching their people and program resources to the interests of young people in the community. The result is a program of exciting and meaningful activities that helps youth pursue their special interests, to grow, to develop leadership skills, and to become good citizens.

Venturing crews can specialize in a variety of vocation or hobby interests.

Young adults involved in Venturing will:

• Learn to make ethical choices over their lifetimes by instilling the values in the Venturing Oath and Code.
• Experience a program that is fun and full of challenge and adventure.
• Become a skilled training and program resource for Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and other groups.
• Acquire skills in the areas of high adventure, sports, arts and hobbies, youth ministries, or Sea Scouting.
• Experience positive leadership from adult and youth leaders and be given opportunities to take on leadership roles.
• Have a chance to learn and grow in a supportive, caring, and fun environment.

The aims of the Boy Scouts of America are to build character, develop citizenship, and foster personal fitness. The Venturing methods have been carefully designed to achieve the aims of the Boy Scouts of America and meet the needs of young adults. The methods are:

• Adult association - Youth officers lead the crew. The officers and activity chairs work closely with adult Advisors and other adult leaders in a spirit of partnership. Adults serve in a shadow leader capacity.
• Leadership - All Venturers are given opportunities to learn and apply proven leadership skills. A Venturing crew is led by elected crew officers. The Venturing Leadership Skills Course is designed for all Venturers and helps to teach in an active way to effectively lead.
• Recognition - Recognition comes through the Venturing advancement program and through the acknowledgment of a youth's competence and ability by peers and adults.
• Ideals - Venturers are expected to know and live by the Venturing Oath and Code. They promise to be faithful in religious duties, to treasure their American heritage, to help others, and to seek truth and fairness.
• Group activities Venturing activities are interdependent group experiences in which success is dependent on the cooperation of all. Learning by doing in a group setting provides opportunities for developing new skills.
• High adventure - Venturing's emphasis on high adventure helps provide team-building opportunities, new meaningful experiences, practical leadership application, and lifelong memories to young adults.
• Teaching others - All of the Venturing awards require Venturers to teach what they have learned to others. When they teach others, Venturers are often better able to retain the skill or knowledge that they have taught. They gain confidence in their ability to speak and relate to others and they acquire skills that can benefit them for the rest of their lives as a hobby or occupation.

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