Youth Ministry

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Youth Ministry Venturing

• St. Patrick Church School
• Chesterton, IN
• 9/1/04

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Purpose of the BSA

• As incorporated on February 8, 1910, and
  chartered by Congress in 1916 is to provide an
  educational program for boys and young adults to
• build character
• teach participating citizenship
• develop physical, mental, spiritual fitness

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The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to
prepare young people to make ethical and moral
choices over their lifetimes by instilling in
them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.

• Scout Law
• A Scout is
• Trustworthy
• Loyal
• Helpful
• Friendly
• Courteous
• Kind
• Obedient
• Cheerful
• Thrifty
• Brave
• Clean and
• Reverent

• Scout Oath
• On my honor I will do my best
• To do my duty to God and my country
• and to obey the Scout Law
• To help other people at all times
• To keep myself physically strong,
• mentally awake, and morally straight.
• Motto Be Prepared
• Slogan Do a good turn daily

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How Scouting Works

• Community-based organizations that have
  compatible goals with the BSA are granted
  national charters to use the Scouting program as
  a part of their own youth work.
• Scouting units are chartered not as separate
  organizations, but as programs of the chartered
  partner.
• Charter Organizations select and approve leaders,
  provide a meeting place, and conduct the program
  in accordance with their own policies and those
  of the BSA.

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Religious Charter Organizations

• Nationally, more than 125 different religious
  organizations own and use the Scouting program.
• The Catholic Church is one of the largest charter
  organizations and has over 355,000 registered
  scouts.
• LaSalle Council serves 16,000 youth in 8 counties
  in northwest Indiana and lower Michigan. Dunes
  Moraine District (Porter County excluding Portage
  Township) serves more than1800 youth and 700
  adult volunteers.
• In Porter County 27 of 39 (more than two-thirds)
  packs, troops and crews are chartered to 17
  different religious organizations.

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Areas of Ministrywhere BSA has resources to offer
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The Family of Scouting Programs
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Goals of Catholic Scouting Ministry

• In 1997, the National Conference of Catholic
  Bishops (NCCB) unanimously approved the landmark
  document Renewing the Vision - A Framework for
  Catholic Youth Ministry, which provides the
  direction and content for Catholic youth ministry
  in the United States. The document describes the
  three key goals of youth ministry
• Goal 1. Empowerment and Discipleship
• To empower young people to live as disciples of
  Jesus Christ in our world today.
• Goal 2. Full Participation in the Faith
  Community
• To draw young people to responsible
  participation in the life, mission and work of
  the faith community.
• Goal 3. Personal and Spiritual Growth
• To foster the total personal and spiritual
  growth of each young person.

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Renewing the Vision
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Renewing the Vision
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Renewing the Vision
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EIGHT COMPONENTS OFYOUTH MINISTRY
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EIGHT COMPONENTS OFYOUTH MINISTRY
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EIGHT COMPONENTS OFYOUTH MINISTRY
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Scoutings methods and the 8 components of youth
ministry
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Scoutings methods and the 8 components of youth
ministry
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ADULT LEADERSHIP IN CATHOLIC SCOUTING

• role models and witnesses to the faith in their
  daily interactions with Scouts
• apostles to youths
• receive extensive Boy Scouts of America training
  in leadership
• receive training in youth protection norms
• NCCS Scouter Development program trains adults
  for the lay apostolate of Scouting

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ADULT LEADERSHIP IN CATHOLIC SCOUTING

• the unit committee supervises the program
• a Scouting coordinator acts as liaison between a
  parishs Scout programs and the pastor and parish
  council
• adults serve as religious emblems counselors or
  moderators. They are trained for this service
• Scouters stay connected with their parishes that
  charter the Scouting units and are active in the
  parishs
• youth ministry

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What is Venturing?(established in 1998)

• Venturing is a youth development program for
  young men and women who are 14 (and have
  completed the eighth grade) through 20 years of
  age.
• The purpose is to provide positive experiences to
  help young people mature and to prepare them to
  become responsible and caring adults.
• The Venturing program has been tailored to help
  religious youth groups achieve their aims and
  purposes by providing leadership training,
  outdoor and high-adventure activities and
  resources, program ideas and materials,
  recognition and awards for the youth and adults,
  audiovisuals, literature, and low cost insurance.
• A Venturing program is owned by the religious
  organization. The organization selects and
  approves adult leaders. The religious
  organization uses elements of the Venturing
  program to achieve its specific aims and purposes
  related to young adults.

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How does Venturing Work?

• Goals - Young adults involved in Venturing
• Learn to make ethical choices over their
  lifetimes by instilling the values in the
  Venturing Oath and Code and Ethics in Action.
• Experience a program that is fun and full of
  challenge and adventure.
• Become a skilled training and program resource
  for Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and other groups.
• Acquire skills in the areas of high adventure,
  sports, arts and hobbies, youth ministries, or
  Sea Scouting.
• Experience positive leadership from adult and
  youth leaders and be given opportunities to take
  on leadership roles.
• Have a chance to learn and grow in a supportive,
  caring, and fun environment.

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Methods of Venturing
The aims of the Boy Scouts of America are to
build character, develop citizenship and foster
personal fitness.

• The Ideals
• Adult Association
• Group Activities
• Leadership
• Teaching Others
• High Adventure
• Recognition

Ethics in ActionVenturing uses "ethical
controversies" to help young adults develop the
ability to make responsible choices that reflect
their concern for what is at risk and how it will
affect others involved.
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• A sampling of the requirements for the
• Religious Life Bronze Award
• Earn your denominations Venture-age religious
  award.
• Plan and lead a service project such as helping
  to build a Habitat for Humanity house,
  participating in a community cleanup project, of
  taking on a fix-up project for a nursing home or
  nursery.
• Serve as a volunteer in your religious
  organization or another nonprofit organization
  for at least three months.
• Go on a religious retreat or religious trek
  lasting at least two days.
• Produce or be a cast member in some type of
  entertainment production with a religious or
  ethical theme, such as a play, puppet show, or
  concert for a group such as a childrens group,
  retirement home, homeless shelter, etc.

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A Scout is reverent. He is reverent toward God.
He is faithful in his religious duties and
respects the convictions of others in matters of
custom and religion.
To encourage Scouts and Scouters to grow stronger
in their faith, religious groups have developed
the religious emblems programs. The Boy Scouts
of America has approved of these programs. The
emblems may be worn on the official uniform.
The various religious groups administer the
programs. Curriculum booklets can be obtained
through the local council service center or
directly from the religious organization.
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Cub Scout, Boy Scout, and Venturing Catholic
Religious Emblems
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Benefits for Religious Youth Groups

• Venturing can be incorporated into your existing
  youth program using your existing leadership. It
  can be coed (or not...)!
• Venturing is a tremendous resource for relational
  ministry.
• It can be that extra something that attracts
  young people, gets them involved, and keeps them
  involved.
• It offers training for youth leaders to help make
  them feel comfortable and training for adults, to
  give them the skills they need for developing
  meaningful, trusting relationships with youth.
• Venturing has resources that support your efforts
  in building the community and in serving others
  (programs, training, literature, high adventure
  bases, camps, liability insurance, optional
  accident insurance).

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Everyone Wins with VenturingThe Religious
Organization Wins

• Venturing will work with any existing youth
  program structure. It does not require another
  program.
• Venturing will help keep your youth closer to
  your organizations beliefs and expectations and
  connected to the right people.
• Venturing provides a package (wholesome, fun,
  and recognition) that you can use to hold your
  existing youth and to attract new youth into your
  religious organization.
• Venturing in your youth group will help display
  your faith's role in the welfare of the
  community.
• The religious awards program will help create an
  arena in which young adults can interact with
  religious leaders.

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Everyone Wins with VenturingThe Adult Volunteers
Win

• Volunteers receive specific program suggestions
  that can be tailored to the needs of the youth
  group.
• Opportunities for greater community involvement
  and outreach.
• Communication, planning, and program development
  skills are enhanced through training.
• Youth protection training and the Guide to Safe
  Scouting provide a structure for the safe conduct
  of youth group activities
• A greater commitment to service results.

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Everyone Wins with VenturingThe Youth Win

• Venturing stimulates youth interest in wholesome,
  fun activities sponsored by the religious
  organization.
• In Venturing, youth are taught hands-on
  leadership skills like planning, listening,
  teamwork, communications, and delegation.
• Venturing's awards and achievements help youth
  feel recognized, give them a sense of belonging,
  and build self-esteem.

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Organizing a Unitin Your Church

• Church membership officially adopts Scouting
• An organizing committee of local parents and
  interested church members is appointed
• Organizing committee selects leaders and
  committee members
• Leaders are trained and the first six months
  programs are planned
• Local youth are recruited and unit meetings
  begin
• Unit charter is presented at a formal ceremony in
  your church

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Ten Steps To Organizing a Venture Crew in your
Church

• Parish priest is informed about Scouting
• Parish council adopts Scouting and parish priest
  appoints a chartered organization representative
• Chartered organization representative appoints
  organizing committee of parents and interested
  church members
• Hold orientation session with the members of the
  parish and parents of youth
• Organizing committee selects unit leaders and
  committee members
• Train leaders in program planning (Fast Start)
• Plan program for at least first six months.
• Recruit youth.
• Start unit meetings
• Install unit and present charter at a formal
  service in the parish

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Next Steps

• Appoint a Charter Organization Representative
• Appoint an Organizing Committee
• Minimum Membership Requirements
• Annual Charter Agreement
• New Unit Application 20.00
• Adult Leaders (3 min) 10.00 each
• (IH, CR, CC, MC, EA)
• Youth (5 min) 10.00 each

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For Further Information

• National Council Website
• http//www.scouting.org
• LaSalle Council Website
• http//www.lasallecouncilbsa.org
• Ted Gowin Dunes Moraine District Executive
• 219 873-9453 tgowin_at_lasallecouncilbsa.org
• Tom Kennedy Council Venturing Chair
• 219 464-4555 adventure.outdoors_at_verizon.net
• Susan Barriball Council Relationships Chair
• 219 926-3028 barriball72_at_hotmail.com