Venturing program starts in area

<p class="p1">A new venture is about to take off for Steeleville and Chester Scouts.

<p class="p1">Robert Rahlfs, crew advisor for Crew 305, has started a new Venturing Crew program for both boys and girls ages 14 through 21.

<p class="p1">"I'm hoping that it brings another program for the youth of Chester, and we are working with Steeleville also, to learn leadership skills and social interaction," Rahlfs said.

<p class="p1">Venturing is for young adults, along with adult leaders, who are registered with the Boy Scouts of America and the Girl Scouts of the USA.

<p class="p1">According to an information booklet about the program, it is intended to "provide experiences that will affect the positive development of youth at a critical stage in their lives and to prepare them to become responsible and caring adults."

<p class="p1">"I'm looking at a place for the youth to have their own social area where they can come together and plan and do events," Rahlfs said. "You always hear people complaining about there's nothing for the kids to do and we've got great scouting programs."

<p class="p1">Venturing consists of seven methods: Leadership, group activities, adult association, recognition, the Ideals, high adventure and teaching others.

<p class="p1">As part of the Ideals, venturers are expected to know and live by the Venturing Oath and Code, which is to "do their duty to God, help strengthen America, to help others and to seek truth and fairness."

<p class="p1">"I'm looking to best serve the youth of the town and try to train the leaders of the future," Rahlfs said. "We are only here for a short time and they are the ones who take over next."

<p class="p1">Rahlfs said he has enough participants to get the program started, but is always looking for more.

<p class="p1">"As I am gathering scouts this year, I need to look two, three, four years down the road to see how I keep this going," he said.

<p class="p1">The new venturing program participated in its first event last weekend at the Fun Fall Rally on Beaumont Scout Reservation southwest of St. Louis.

<p class="p1">"They've got 1,500 youth from the area coming in," Rahlfs said last week. "They've got hundreds and hundreds of activities, from horseback riding, shooting, climbing tower, backyard games and archery."

<p class="p1">For more information on the venturing program, contact Ralphs at 618-615-8585.