Advice for Starting a Crew?

[troop2dad]

We are starting a crew simply because we have a number of our older scouts who have impressed enough of their young lady friends that the girls have asked for a co-ed program. Both the scouts and their friends are excited for I believe all the right reasons. We are coming from a mostly boy led troop.

What are suggestions that more experienced members might offer? We are using a different chartered organization to broaden the exposure to the greater neighborhood.

Thanks in advance.

[ThunderingWind]

Gather them and find out what they want to do as a group. Use all the Program Interest surveys.

I found that for the first few smaller events, do things that are already available (bowling at midnight, day bike ride on a local trail then cook out at the end).

For the first Super Activity, they youth need to understand the need for a decent year planning and execution cycle. Show them the 180 planning guides from the leaders manual.

Impress upon them that the Crew is what THEY make it and that THEY are the leadership, planners, and doers of the work.

Look to the District and Council for Crew events or Troop events that Crews are allowed to attend.

Let the girls know that Summer Camp jobs are open to them. Encourage all Crew members to apply for a staff job.

Encourage the use of the official Crew uniform. When it is worn, it gets positive attention for the Crew.

Encourage the Crew to reach to the area Packs to help where there might not be den chiefs or to help with Den and Pack outings.

Encourage the girls to talk positively to their girl friends about the Crew experience ad it progresses.

Other things to try is ge teh Red Cross to come and teach the Wilderness First Aid course. It gets a ticket punched (for those that want to earn some stuff)
and gets things started without having to make sure some non-Scouts have all the needed gear to go to the woods for a weekend.

Just a few.....Hope it helps.

[wagionvigil]

All Adults involved go to the closest "Powder Horn" Course

[VenturingL]

Adults who are going to be involved with the crew need ALL the VENTURING training - leader specific & Youth Protection for Venturing.

[mt_goodrich]

I am getting involved with Venturing and we will be having NLE and Venturing Specific Training on September 6th.

I even stopped by the Scout Shop today and picked up a Venturing Handbook.

I am totally clueless about Venturing, but willing to learn.

[smtroop168]

Other than the girls, are there any stats on how many Ventures were in and came back, are currently in and dual registered or never were in Boy Scouts?