2010 National BSA Jamboree and Venturing

[Ursus Snorous Roarus]

If we're going to invite Venturers because they are part of BSA, then we should also set up appropriate camping areas for the Webelos, and family camping for Cubs as well.

[wagionvigil]

Why? Ventures are actually allowed to camp without parents etc. I am not saying take SCout space but allow AReas send super crews like they send troops to the WSJ. I see where alot of your feelings are and they are not pro Venturing.

Those Cubs and Webelos will eventually get the Chance to attend a NJ. The Ventures may not have that chance.

[Ursus Snorous Roarus]

Why? Ventures are actually allowed to camp without parents etc. I am not saying take SCout space but allow AReas send super crews like they send troops to the WSJ. I see where alot of your feelings are and they are not pro Venturing. Those Cubs and Webelos will eventually get the Chance to attend a NJ. The Ventures may not have that chance.

My feelings are that the Boy Scout National Jamboree is for Boy Scouts (just as I feel BS programs are for Boy Scouts). I am not necessarily pro or con Venturing as I am not involved with it and it isn't needed in our Troop's program. But that wasn't your original question, sorry I digress.
The Venturers CAN go: they can work on staff or as a contingent leader. If they are male and under 18, register as a BS and go with their Council. No difference, this is the 100 anniv - if we open the door to Venturers, you better believe we will get Cub Packs DEMANDING opportunities to attend as well, and rightly so.
Actually, I don't have a problem with it, but don't call it the BS Jamboree anymore and that washes away a lot of years of tradition.
In fact, I have a better idea: considering the awful condition of GSUSA right now, BSA could really make a coup and present a 2012 U.S. Scouting Jamboree at their new location and invite all the GSUSA programs to join us. Allow them to keep their unit structures, and we (BSA) keep ours. It would guide the GS units that are interested right into the Venturing program. I’ve never understood two separate entities that are essentially trying to accomplish the same objectives. Just some thoughts.

[Ursus Snorous Roarus]

And one more thing - the OA doesn't attend other than to man TOAP and the OA show – as staffers. OA lodges don't attend the Jambo as a lodge 'unit', that is what NOAC is for.
Why not organize a National Venturing Conference?

[PaulSWolf]

SO Paul Should Ventures be permitted to attend the Jamboree? Othere than Staffing it?

No. Jamboree is a BOY SCOUT activity. There are so many Boy Scouts that wish to participate that the capacity of the Jamboree site will be taxed to the limit already. Plus many of the activities aren't geared toward them anyway.

There are plenty of opportunities, as others have mentioned, for Venturers to attend, either under 18 as Boy Scouts or at any age as staffers. And, having seen what the Venturers have done at the past Jamborees,

Plus, keep in mind that not all Venturers are geared toward camping in the first place. Many are in Religious Life, Sea Scouting, Arts and Hobbies, or Sports oriented Crews and Ships, and do little to no camping.

Furthermore, when BSA did try to organize an Exploring Subcamp in 1985 or 1989 (pre Venturing, of course), it was a dismal failure, with very few participants, while the number of Explorers on staff was below par at the same time.

[ThunderingWind]

No. Jamboree is a BOY SCOUT activity. There are so many Boy Scouts that wish to participate that the capacity of the Jamboree site will be taxed to the limit already. Plus many of the activities aren't geared toward them anyway.

Yes, it is aBoy Scout activity. But since the National has FAILED to create an equal program for the Venturing Program, we have got to start somewhere. Allowing Councils to send a Crew in addition to the Troop allotment (or some fraction thereof) is a reasonable starting point. As for activities, the biking, shooting, climbing, SCUBA and other events would be great for Crews. It is not all about the activities, you need to consider the freindships made within the Council Crew and with those from other units.

There are plenty of opportunities, as others have mentioned, for Venturers to attend, either under 18 as Boy Scouts or at any age as staffers. And, having seen what the Venturers have done at the past Jamborees,

Staff-only leave the female youth out. So there is a risk of gender bias in our ever lawsuit happy society. There is a group in the midwest considering a lawsuit.

Plus, keep in mind that not all Venturers are geared toward camping in the first place. Many are in Religious Life, Sea Scouting, Arts and Hobbies, or Sports oriented Crews and Ships, and do little to no camping.

True but many of the crews that do camp would like to come.

Furthermore, when BSA did try to organize an Exploring Subcamp in 1985 or 1989 (pre Venturing, of course), it was a dismal failure, with very few participants, while the number of Explorers on staff was below par at the same time.

OK, so an attempt failed in the past. Get back on the horse.

Look, with a permanent property being set for all future events, now is the time to set a Venture Program on calendar and make it work.

[wagionvigil]

Staff-only leave the female youth out. So there is a risk of gender bias in our ever lawsuit happy society. There is a group in the midwest considering a lawsuit

Female Youth are permitted to be on staff and do a great job of it.

[wagionvigil]

Look, with a permanent property being set for all future events, now is the time to set a Venture Program on calendar and make it work

Like a Pistol Range, A Bolted Climbing wall to practice lead climbing on,etc.

[ThunderingWind]

Staff-only leave the female youth out. So there is a risk of gender bias in our ever lawsuit happy society. There is a group in the midwest considering a lawsuit

Female Youth are permitted to be on staff and do a great job of it.

Sorry, I meant it leaves them out as participants, not staff.

[VenturingL]

International: You have put into simple, short, and very eloquent words all the arguments for Venturing. If you ever find yourself in Northeast/North Central Texas, please look us up. Thank you.

[OldGreyBear]

I knew a couple of guys who were all set to have a National Venturing event, had some venues in mind, and National killed it, they don't want a National Venturing event even if someone else does the work

[FieldSports]

National Venture Jamboree would be great

Revolt!!! Have the event!! Let us know, where, when and how we can help!

National works for US, not the other way around. (Contrary to their current "corporate" culture). If it's successful, they will be happy and take the credit. If it is less than successful, then revise it, till it works. We run the show, let's never forget that.

I had the pleasure of being at both National and World Jamboree. The international world is ahead of us by including young women. It does change the "feel" of the event. But per Wood Badge, "change happens".

[SageVenture]

I voted no because the Jamboree is a Boy Scout event. Most other countries have Boys Scout Jamborees and what we might call Venturing super-events. The problem is that many expect National to create these types of events. It is not going to happen any time soon. For a Venturing event to occur, it is going to take the drive of our young adults.

I have been to some fantastic older youth activities in both New Zealand and Australia. Instead of being called a Jamboree, they are called a Venture. A Venture is 8 days. The first four days are on a high adventure activity of choice by individual not by crew and the last four days are run like a world jamboree with either a full or half day activity. What ever the venue, it will not happen by magic. It will take some real young adult leaders.

On another point, I feel too many scouters want to include Venturers in Boy Scout activities like the OA. I believe scouting would be better if Venturers created their own activities and program. For example, the Corps of Discovery is a developing program in Venturing to acknowledge those providing Servant Leadership to Venturing in particular and Scouting in general - http://www.sageventure.com/COD/.

I believe the Venturing program can be very helpful in retaining youth in scouting and we should all be glad when a boy stays in scouting as a Venturer instead of leaving scouts because he has achieved Eagle.

I was a Scoutmaster for 10 years and have been an Advisor for 17 years. Both programs are great but doing what we can to retain scouts in scouting (not just in the troop) will do the most for the young adults and the younger boys seeing what they can look forward to.

Yours in Venturing,
Craig