Brief history

The Venture Scout Section evolved in 1966 following the Chief Scout's Advance Party Report which reviewed The Scout Association's policies in order to adapt them to the rapidly changing society. It was developed to provide a programme of activities and experiences for young people aged between 15½ and 20 years. The Venture Scout Section completes the Progressive Training scheme that started with the Cub Scout Section and continued in the Scout Section but it is also open to young people who have never been Cub Scouts or Scouts. It offers opportunities for adventurous activities, more challenging community service projects and broadening international experience through projects and expeditions overseas.

Originally, the Section was open only to young men between the ages of 16-20 but, since 1976, young women have been able to join Venture Scouts and follow the same programme and activities alongside the young men as equals. There are also 'joint' Units where Venture Scouts and Ranger Guides amalgamate under joint Leadership but retain their separate identities within the respective Movements. Some young people, after leaving the Venture Scout Section, choose to become Leaders whilst others may join the Scout Fellowship.

The Unit

A Venture Scout Unit may be formed within a Scout Group, provided there are at least nine Members to establish a basis. However, since school, work and other factors prevent many Members from continuing in Scouting during their late teenage years, it is more usual for a Unit to serve a number of Groups within a locality or, in some cases, a whole District. The minimum age for joining a Unit is at 15½ years, but the usual age of entry is 16. Membership may continue until the 20th birthday. Unit organisation and administration is decided by an Executive Committee elected by the Members of the unit. The Executive committee and the members of the Unit are governed by the Constitution which is the rule book of the unit. The constitution should provide the guidelines of how the venture Unit should operate and includes topics such as:

• The structure of the Executive Committee, i.e. How many people and what roles they should take.
• Uniform policy.
• Finance policy.
• Voting rights for the Committee and the Unit.
• Are leaders members of the Executive Committee and do they have a vote.
• How often will the Executive Committee meet?
• Terms of reference of the Annual General Meeting.

The Executive committee, which should be defined in the Units Constitution, should be comprised of a minimum of three people - a Chairman, a Secretary and a Treasurer. Some additional roles which may be considered include:

• Recruitment Officer.
• Quartermaster.
• Programme secretary.
• Committee Members.

The Executive Committee is selected by way of an election. Each of the posts should have a nominee with a proposer and a seconder. Each member of the Unit gets a vote. Consideration should also be given to the leaders of the Unit as to whether they have a vote in the Committee election, the election normally takes place during the AGM.

In considering the nominees for the positions, it would be prudent to consider the roles that have to be filled and the qualities and shortfalls of the people considered for them. Below is a brief outline of what each job may entail.

The Chairperson

The Chairperson is the Co-ordinator of the Unit and the link between the Unit and its Leaders. They will also be the representative on the Group Council and the District scout Council. The Chairperson is effectively the leader of the Group membership. They should set an example to the rest of the unit, being respectful, and being respected, be enthusiastic, determined and a good overall manager.

The Secretary

The role of the secretary is to record the decisions of the Unit executive by keeping a minutes book of the meetings. General correspondence should also be handled by the secretary. They will also be responsible for arranging the agenda of Committee meetings and the AGM and the circulation of the Agenda and minutes to those concerned.

The Treasurer

The Treasurer is responsible for handling the financial affairs of the unit. They are also responsible for presenting Accounts and Balance Sheets to the Executive and to all members at the AGM. They are also required to supply information to the Group Treasurer or the District Treasurer if the Unit is a District Unit.

Aims and Activities

Venture Scout Units are Self-Motivating, Self-Programming and Self-Governing. The role of the adult leader is that of a consultant or advisor. The scope of the activities is endless, depending on the interests and initiative of each member in the Unit. Parascending, Canoeing, Climbing, Abseiling, Motor Sports, Deepwater Sailing, Flying and a host of other activities are become increasingly common. Community Service is also a large part of the Venture Scout programme, with Venture Scouts taking an active role in assisting in hospitals, adventure playgrounds and with the elderly and handicapped. Further afield, there are projects overseas with people helping in n an African village, exploring remote parts of Iceland or backpacking along the High Sierra in America.

Awards

As in the Cub and Scout sections of the Scouting Movement, there are Progress Awards. The Venture Scout Awards are slightly different. Each Venture is responsible for determining their own course in completing each award by self-selection of the activities and projects they undertake. The activities and projects of each individual member also guide the Units programme to a certain extent. The awards that can be gained in the section are the Venture Scout Award and then the Queen's Scout Award which cannot be started until the completion of the Venture Scout Award.

Before any of the awards can be started the new Venture Scouts must obtain thier Membership Badge. The Membership Badge shows that the Venture Scouts know what responsibilities and implications membership of the Unit has. They also must show an understanding of the aims and international aspects of the Scout Movement and how the Venture scout unit is run. And, of course, they must know and understand the Promise and Law.

Then there is the Explorer Belt which is an international expedition where the Venture Scout must complete some tasks and travel a set distance, on foot.