BOY SCOUTS TROOP 636

Troop 636 has a Venture Patrol where the older boys can participate in high adventure activities.  

Troop 636 Venture Patrol Requirements

1. Age 13
    a. Assuming boys join the troop at age 11 and starting 6th (or finishing 5th) 
        grade this gives them 2 years doing normal troop activities before being 
        considered.
    b. Age 13 at time of Venture Patrol Leader election
2. Star Scout Rank
    a. Obtaining Star Scout means you have the basic scout skills and have 
        demonstrated responsibility by holding a leadership position. 
    b. Any scouts wanting to go on a high adventure trip need to prove they have 
        the skills and motivation to obtain at least Star Scout.
3. Participation
    a. Scouts must be active in the troop to be eligible.
    b. Active is measured by participation in at least 50% of troop outings,  
        meetings and fundraisers in the prior year.
4. To attend the summer adventure trip, scouts must have participated in at least 
    50% of the troop outings and meetings and 75% of the Venture patrol meetings 
    and activities in the current year.
5. Venture Patrol invitation
    a. Entry into the Venture patrol is a three step process.
        i. Scouts must meet the basic age, rank and participation requirements.
       ii. The list of eligible scouts will then be reviewed by the scout Venture Patrol 
            Leader assisted by the adult Venture Patrol Coordinator to determine if the 
            nominated scouts have the experience and ability necessary to participate 
            in the current year's program.
      iii. The Venture patrol will then vote by secret ballot.
    b. Participation in the program is voluntary. When invited, scouts can choose to 
        participate in the program for one year or not participate. 
    c. The roster will be reviewed quarterly and all eligible scouts will be invited to 
        the program. 

Program Structure 

1. A new separate patrol will not be formed; instead, eligible scouts from the 
    different existing patrols will be invited to participate in the high adventure 
    program. This group will operate as a Venture patrol on their high adventure 
    activities, but will remain in their existing troop patrol structure. The Venture 
    patrol activities will not compete with the troop activities, instead the
    Venture program is viewed as an extra opportunity for scouts meeting the 
    requirements and desiring a high adventure experience. 
2. The program will be run by the scout Venture Patrol Leader with the 
    assistance of the adult Venture Patrol Coordinator and other ASMs. The 
    Venture Patrol Coordinator is appointed by the Scout Master. 
    a. The Venture Patrol Coordinator will be guiding the program and offering 
         support and assistance to the patrol as needed. 
    b. The troop will elect a Venture patrol Leader during regular troop elections, 
         from a list of eligible, interested scouts. The Venture Patrol Leader will 
         then become part of the PLC. 
3. The Venture Patrol scouts will wear the same troop uniform with the
     addition of the Venture strip over their right pocket and they will be known 
     as the Venture patrol only when on high adventure activities or outings. 
     During troop activities they will follow their troop patrol structure. 
4. The Venture Patrol scouts are expected to participate in Troop leadership 
    positions, act as instructors for the younger scouts, and set the uniform 
    example. 

Calendar

1. The Venture scouts will choose the high adventure activities for the year
     (backpacking, climbing, kayaking etc…).
2. The Venture patrol will meet one Monday a month for thirty minutes prior to a 
    normally scheduled troop meeting.
    a. The meeting will be held during the 1st Monday of the month from 6:30 
         – 7:00 PM.
    b. This meeting will be used to plan the monthly activities.
3. Activities could include other planning meetings, day outings or weekend trips 
    used for training.
    a. The program limits Venture patrol activities to one a month.
    b. Some activities might be scheduled to coincide with troop activities 
        specifically so that the younger scouts can see what the venture patrol is 
        doing.
4. The Venture patrol activities will be on the same calendar as the troop 
    activities. Venture activities will be listed as "Venture Patrol Only" to help 
    avoid any confusion. 

Program Changes

This Program description is the plan for the first year of the Troop 636 Venture Patrol Program. The plan will most likely change in future years to accommodate conditions as they exist at the time and natural changes that are dictated as the program matures.