Venturing Banquet

August TBD, 2025  |  6:00 - 9:00 pm

Cockrell Scout Center
2225 N Loop W
Houston, Texas 77008

The Venturing Banquet is an opportunity to celebrate all of the Venturers in the Sam Houston Area Council. The fun-filled evening begins with the midway from 6:00 - 7:00 pm filled with new and exciting activities for Ventures and crews to enjoy throughout the year. The VOA elections will be held before dinner.  After dinner, 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 Venturing Leadership Award recipients. Bring the whole crew or ship – and prospective Venturers! 

Registration

Purchase Tickets         

About the Venturing Leadership Award

The Venturing Leadership Award (VLA) is presented by councils, areas, regions, and the BSA National Council to Venturers who have made exceptional contributions to Venturing and who exemplify the Venturing Code.

VLA Nomination Form

The award nomination deadline is July 1^st. The awards are presented during the Venturing Banquet.

Requirements: Venturing Leadership Award candidates must be registered and involved in Venturing as a Venturer for at least one year. They must hold a leadership position or office on the unit, district, or council level. The candidate must show exceptional dedication and give outstanding leadership and service to Venturing and to Venturers.

Quota Restrictions: Councils may present two awards per year for up to 50 crews/ships and one additional award per year for each fraction of 25 crews/ships above 50.

Venturing Officer Association (VOA) Elections

Venturing Officer Association (VOA) elections are held before the Venturing Banquet. The council Venturing committee is run by three youth officers:  council venturing president, vice-president of program, and vice-president of administration. Elections procedures are outlined in the VOA By-Laws. 

About the Venturing Officers Association (VOA)

Four youth officers run the Venturing Officers Association. The 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 each year at the Venturing Banquet before dinner. 

If you are interested in running for office, or if you would like to nominate someone to run for office, complete the nomination form.

VOA Nomination Form

Requirements (from the council Venturing By-Laws)

Any registered youth member of any crew/ship in the council shall be eligible to run for any office of the association, so long as the following conditions are met:

• Not reached the age of 20 years at the time of the election.
• No individual may hold more than one district or council office.
• Any candidate, who runs and is elected to a second office, must resign from the first office within 30 days.
• Must reside within the geographical boundaries of SHAC during their entire term of office, including time at post-high school educational institutions, but excluding time spent at any long-term Scouting program (e.g., summer camp, Sea Base, Northern Tier, Philmont, Bechtel Summit)
• Must have approval from registered Crew Advisor.
• Must be a registered Venturer in the SHAC Venturing program for a minimum of six (6) months prior to the election.
• Must agree to attend a council Venturing Cabinet Seminar within two (2) months after the election.
• Term limits:
  • Three years total (consecutive or non-consecutive).
  • Cannot hold the same office more than twice within the three-year limit.

A photo should be sent to the venturing staff adviser when submitting the nomination; the candidate's bio and photo will be shared on the SHAC Venturing social media sites prior to the election. 

Contacts

For more information, contact Venturing Program Chair.