Venturing

VenturingVenturing is a youth development program in the Sam Houston Area Council for young men and women 14 years of age (and in the 9th grade) through 20 years old. Venturing provides positive experiences to help young people mature and become responsible and caring adults. The program offers fun and challenging activities that promote character development, citizenship, and physical fitness. 

Each Venturing crew has its own special interest, often including (but not limited to) outdoor activities, sports, arts and hobbies, religious life, or aquatics. These activities, plus service projects, ceremonies, and friendly competition help youth to learn the core values and give them a sense of personal achievement. Consultants from the community play an important part in Venturing. Through positive peer group interaction and adult mentoring, youth also learn honesty, responsibility, and respect.

Venturing crews can be coed, all-male, or all-female. The chartered organization and the leadership make that decision. The special interest is determined by the chartered organization and by the interests and capabilities of the youth and adults in the crew or ship.

Join a Crew

 

Venturing Challenge

April 17-19, 2026

Venturing Challenge

The Venturing Challenge is an opportunity for fun and fellowship among Venturers from across the council, and for those interested in becoming Venturers.

Operatives of this Top Secret operation will be deployed to a series of covert missions, including precision range and target exercises, advanced navigation and orienteering, vertical extraction (climbing), mock crime-scene analysis, and a high-stakes interrogation challenge. Only those with skill, teamwork, and determination will successfully complete the operation.

Camp for the weekend with your crew, camp with the Super Crew, or attend for the day and hang out with friends. 

The Venturing Challenge is being held in conjunction with Full Throttle.

Learn More

Posted by Darlene Scheffler Saturday, August 30, 2025 6:58:00 AM

VLA Nominations

Due April 1, 2026

VLAThe Venturing Leadership Award (VLA) is presented to Venturers who have made exceptional contributions to Venturing and who exemplify the Venturing Code. The awards will be presented during the Venturing Banquet.

VLA Nomination Form

Posted by Darlene Scheffler Sunday, August 17, 2025 11:15:00 PM

Venturing Officers' Association (VOA) Elections

May 3, 2026

VOA Elections

The Venturing Officers' Association (VOA) is a youth-led group within Scouting America that provides leadership opportunities and a voice for young people in the Venturing program. It's a team of four youth officers elected by their peers, supported by advisors, that helps to organize program events, lead trainings, and facilitate collaboration among Venturing crews in the council. The youth officers take the lead in driving the council Venturing program, making it a great experience for youth and adults. The officers plan the council Venturing events (e.g., Venturing Challenge) and run the Venturing Forums. The officers are elected annually at the Venturing Banquet. If you are interested in running for office or would like to nominate someone to run for office, please complete the nomination form.

VOA Nomination Form     Learn More

Posted by Darlene Scheffler Friday, August 1, 2025 4:53:00 PM

Venturing Banquet

May 3, 2026 | 6:00 - 9:00 pm

Venturing BanquetThe Venturing Banquet is an opportunity to celebrate all of the Venturers in the Sam Houston Area Council. Join us for a delicious catered meal and a fun-filled evening!  VOA elections will be held. Nominate yourself or another Venturer to run for VOA officer (president or vice president); candidates should bring a speech.

Venturers and advisors will be recognized for their outstanding work over the past year. This is an opportunity to honor those who have achieved the Summit Award and to recognize the recipients of the Venturing Leadership Award. Bring the whole crew or ship – and prospective Venturers!

 Learn More  

Posted by Darlene Scheffler Friday, August 1, 2025 4:06:00 PM

Venturing Advancement

Venturing-AwardsThe first step in any journey is the courage to begin. The Venturing rank advancement program is designed to help Venturers grow in the areas of adventure, leadership, personal development, and service (the ALPS model). Ranks serve as benchmarks that give Venturers a structure for developing their own personal vision into manageable goals that lead to recognition by their peers, mentors, and the larger community. Learn more about the SHAC Summit Board of Review process.

Posted by Darlene Scheffler Thursday, May 23, 2024 8:50:00 PM

About Venturing

Venturing is a youth development program in Sam Houston Area Council for young men and women 14 years of age (and in the 9th grade) through 20 years old. Venturing provides positive experiences to help young people mature and become responsible and caring adults. The program offers fun and challenging activities that promote character development, citizenship, and physical fitness. Sea Scouts is a youth development program for young men and women 14 years of age (and in the 9th grade) through 20 years old with a special interest in aquatic activities.

Each Venturing crew has its own special interest, often including (but not limited to) outdoors activities, sports, arts and hobbies, religious life, or aquatics. These activities, plus service projects, ceremonies, and friendly competition, help youth to learn the core values and give them a sense of personal achievement. Consultants from the community play an important part in Venturing. Through positive peer group interaction and adult mentoring, youth also learn honesty, responsibility, and respect.

Venturing crews can be coed, all-male, or all-female. The chartered organization and the leadership make that decision. The special interest is determined by the chartered organization and by the interests and capabilities of the youth and adults in the crew or ship.