Venturing Age/Grade Eligibility Change
The National Executive Board recently approved a resolution to change the eligibility requirements for Venturing to ensure consistency among Venturing, high-adventure bases, and other core programs. The current age and grade eligibility requirement for participation in the Venturing program is 14 years of age and completion of the eighth grade. Effective May 1, 2010, the minimum age requirement will be changed to 14 years of age, or 13 years of age and completion of the eighth grade. The maximum age for participation remains under 21 years of age. In support of this change, attached is a list of frequently
asked questions. This information is posted at www.scouting.org/venturing. FAQs Venturing
Age/Grade Eligibility Change Q. When does the age/grade eligibility change take
effect? A. This change becomes effective May 1, 2010. Q. Does this impact Sea Scouts? A. Sea Scouts is part of the Venturing program. Therefore,
the revised eligibility requirements apply to Sea Scouting.
A. No, this change only applies to the Venturing program. Q. Does this change affect high-adventure bases? A. No, the age/grade requirements are now in alignment with
the high-adventure bases.
Specifically, regarding our sea bases, the PADI requirements are:
Q. What effect will this change have on the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? A. This change to age/grade eligibility will have no effect
on the LDS Church's current application of the Venturing program. Q. Won't this change be detrimental to my Boy Scout
numbers, and aren't we just "trading" numbers from a membership perspective? A. This change to eligibility requirements for Venturing is
to provide youth (boys and girls) with late birthdays (generally
June-September) an opportunity to join a crew with their peer group upon
completion of the eighth grade. This adjustment is to provide consistency
within our program and remove any unnecessary obstacles to increasing
membership as these youth prepare to enter high school with their peers. Q. Will this change have an effect on youth summer camp
eligibility? A. This change to the Venturing program will have no effect
on eligibility for summer camp participation. Q. Will this change affect eligibility for youth
leadership training for Venturers (e.g., Kodiak, Kodiak X, etc.)? A. No, youth leadership training will continue to follow the
recommended course outlines.
Q. Are there any Venturing advancement items that can't
be completed if you are 13 years old? A. This change will have no effect on award eligibility. As
a registered Venturer, the youth may pursue the awards of their choosing. Q. When will the national office update related
literature that is used to support the programs? A. All relevant program groups are auditing their literature
resources to determine the necessary updates. This will be an ongoing process,
and as literature is reprinted, these changes will be made. Q. What registration forms are affected? A. The following registration forms and publications are
being updated to reflect the new Venturing age joining requirements.
Q. When will these forms be updated and available to
order? A. All forms will be available May 1, 2010. Q. When will ScoutNET have the new Venturing
age/grade eligibility? A. Councils will be able to register youth members using the
new requirements once the April 2010 month-end close occurs (May 3, 2010).
A. Internet Rechartering will be updated to reflect the new
requirements for unit renewals beginning in September 2010. In the interim,
Internet Rechartering will remain available during May-August for Venturing
crews and Sea Scout ships to renew online.
|
