Venturing Crew 304 Plainfield, IN

VENTURING CREW 304

Plainfield, Indiana

v What is Venturing?

v How do I join?

v What have we been doing since….

v Upcoming Events

v Philmont Scout Ranch June 7-23, 2006

v Fund Raisers

v Crew Interests

v Favorite Links

v Contact Information

v Crew Committee / Advisors

WHAT IS VENTURING?

Venturing is a new program (Fall, 1998) with male, female or co-ed crews focusing on six experience areas: Citizenship, Leadership, Fitness, Social, Outdoor, and Service. Crew 304 is now in the process of recruiting young men and women who are 14 (and have completed the eighth grade) through 20 years of age to become part of the Crew.

A Venture Crew will have a “Specialty” which will include one of the following: Outdoor, Sports, Arts / Hobbies, Religion and Sea Scouting. A Venturer will earn his or her Bronze award in the “Specialty” or can earn all five. Earning at least one Bronze Award is required for the Venturing Gold Award. The Bronze Award is designed as the entry-level award for Venturers so they can acquire usable skills that will carry them along the trail to the Venturing Silver Award – which is similar to the rank of Eagle Scout.

A Venturer can also earn the Ranger Award, which is given to the Venturer who has earned their Bronze Outdoor award and has acquired additional outdoor skills / high adventure. They can also earn the Quest Award which is given to the Venturer who has acquired the knowledge / skills in the area of sports / fitness and one can also earn the Quartermaster Award the highest rank of Sea Scout.

Venture Crew 304 “Specialty” will be Outdoor.

HOW DO I JOIN?

If you would like to join Venturing, please email Kathy Baker at kmkbaker@hotmail.com with your name, address and phone # and an application packet will be sent to you. To join, there will be an application fee of $11.00. The Crew has voted to design their own t-shirt to be worn with gray Dickies shorts for their Class “b” uniform. The official BSA Venture uniform shirt, which will be worn as the Class “a” uniform, is $31.40; but many Crews will wear the T-Shirt until funds can be raised to purchase the official uniform shirt.

WHERE: Plainfield Christian Church

800 Dan Jones Road, Plainfield, IN

(meeting held in the garage)

WHEN: 2^nd and 4^th Monday each month from 7pm – 8:30pm

WHAT HAVE WE BEEN DOING SINCE…

ATTENTION!

CREW 304 ACHIEVED “QUALITY UNIT” IN THEIR FIRST YEAR.

CREW and ADVISORS TRAINED

Crew 304 has been busy with “Training” during the month of January and February. Jake (Crew President) and Mike both attended University of Scouting and participated in Venturing Leadership Skills Course. They both now can wear the “VLSC” trained bar. Also, Jerry received his Adult Venturing Leader training at University and Ogle, TJ and Mark received theirs in February. Congratulations! to all who have completed their training!

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PAST CREW EVENTS….

J August - Indiana State Fair

J September - Indianapolis Labor Day Fire Works and Rib Fest

J September - Shades State Park Day Hike

J October - Hou Koda Fall Camporee – Camp Krietenstein (staff)

J November - Wilderness First Aid Basic Training – Camp Ransburg

J December – Pizza Party at the Baker’s

J January – Hou Koda Winter Camporee – Camp Ransburg (staff)

J January – 2005 University of Scouting

UPCOMING EVENTS

Link: CALENDAR September, 2004 – September, 2005

At a glance….

v Thursday, 2/10 Hou Koda Roundtable at 7pm (Crew assist with childcare)

v Monday, 2/14 Crew Meeting at 7pm

v Saturday, 2/19 Asst with First Aid Training w/Jeffrey P. at Belzer (tba)

v Monday, 2/28 Crew Meeting at 7pm

v Thursday, 3/10 Hou Koda Roundtable at 7pm (Crew assist with childcare or attend Venturing Roundtable)

v Monday, 3/14 Crew Meeting at 7pm

v Fri, 3/18 – Sun, 3/20 Hou Koda Spring Camporee – Bear Creek (staff)

v Fri, 3/25 – Thur, 3/31 Crew Spring Break Trip – Camping / Hiking Pensacola, FL

v Mon, 4/11 Crew Meeting at 7pm

v Thurs, 4/14 Hou Koda Roundtable at 7pm

v Fri, 4/22 – Sun, 4/24 Campout – Wyndotte Caves

v Mon, 4/25 Crew Meeting at 7pm

v Mon, 5/9 Crew Meeting at 7pm

v Thurs, 5/12 Hou Koda Roundtable at 7pm (Venturing Roundtable)

v Fri, 5/20 – Sun, 5/22 Campout at Camp K Workday

v Mon, 5/23 Crew Meeting at 7pm

v Sun, 6/5 – Sat, 6/11 BSA Summer Camp at Ransburg

v August Indiana State Fair

v September Indiana Rib Fest / Fireworks (labor day weekend)

v June 7 – 23, 2006 Philmont Scout Ranch, Cimarron, New Mexico

Ft Walton Beach, Florida

Friday, March 25 – Thursday 31, 2005

The Crew will be going to Ft Walton Beach, Florida for Spring Break week. The cost will be approx $150. We will be camping. Crew will leave around 8:30 am on Friday, March 25 and camp in Lewisburg, TN; arriving in Ft Walton Beach on Saturday, March 26.

Tentative Schedule: Friday, March 25 leave by 8:30 am arrive 4:30 pm Lewisburg, TN (camp)

Saturday, March 26 leave by 8:00 am arrive 4:00 pm Ft Walton Beach, FL

Sunday, March 27 caving

Monday, March 28 hiking / canoing

Tuesday, March 29 Air Force museum / free time

Wednesday, March 30 leave by 8:00 am arrive 4:00 pm Lewisburg, TN (camp)

Thursday, March 31 arrive home around 5 pm

The Crew will be using PCC Trailer to transport gear. Crew will be “Tub” camping.

If you are going on to Florida, you MUST ATTEND Monday, March 14 Crew Meeting. From 6 – 7 pm will be to finalize the trip before the start of the normal Crew meeting.

BSA SUMMER CAMP RANSBURG –

Sunday June 5 – Saturday June 11, 2005; Fee is $160

$80 deposit was due by March 4, 2005.

Please see Kathy Baker if you still need to make your deposit. There is room for an additional 4 Crew members. It’s not too late. Last date to sign-up to go will be April 29; after that, BSA can not guarantee space and price will increase.

Camp balance ($80) is due by Monday, April 25 Crew Meeting.

Jerry Baker, Crew Advisor

Ogle Lowry, Asst Crew Advisor

Venturing Crew: Jake, Rachel, Becca, Elizabeth, Mike, and Kyle

Ransburg offers a Ranger Program for Venture Crews. The Ranger Program includes elements of some of Ransburg High Adventure program opportunities also scouts will be able to work on the Outdoor Bronze and Ranger awards for the BSA Venturing Program. Scouts will need to meet with the Ranger Program representative on Sunday night at the merit badge sign up to develop a schedule for the week and to express their program desires with all participants of the program. Scouts wishing to work on the Venture advancement requirements will have priority for planning purposes. Special equipment should be brought by participants to insure a quality experience. Items needed are good backpack, clothes for horses, kneepads, canteen and gloves. Fee for 2005 Summer Camp is $160. Reservations will need to be submitted ASAP as dates are filling fast!

PHILMONT SCOUT RANCH – June 9 – 21, 2006

Cimarron, New Mexico

depart Indy – June 7, 2006 (by train); arrive home – June 23, 2006

WE STILL HAVE OPENINGS – approx 4 adults / 5 youth.

Call Kathy Baker 317-838-0681 if your interested in going to Philmont!

Venturing Crew 304 reservation for 2006 has been confirmed. The 2006 Expedition fee is $520 per participant (NOTE: THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE TRAVEL TO / FROM NEW MEXICO. TOTAL COST WILL BE APPROX $1,000. There will be fundraisers to raise funds for the trip!). A non-refundable reservation fee of $50 is due by January 15, 2005. Subsequent payment of $235 per person will be due by September, 2005 and balance by February, 2006.

NOTE AGE REQUIREMENT: The minimum age required to attend Philmont is 14 by January 1, 2006 or have completed 8^th grade, without exception. Also, there is a height / weight limits for all participants.

Please notify Kathy Baker ASAP if you are planning to be part of this expedition to Philmont. There is already a waiting list from other Troops / Crew that wish to attend! I must know before January 15; after the 15^th the available openings will go to other Scouts.

Don’t miss this opportunity to go to Philmont!

FUND RAISERS

DO YOU HAVE A FUND RAISER IDEA!?

Crew is looking for ideas to raise funds for Summer Camp and “Philmont”. The following have been discussed:

v Garage Sale in March – start saving your items. Remember “One mans junk is another mans treasurer!” The funds will be used for the Spring Break trip to Florida.

v Rank Leaves in the Fall

v Hayride for Cub Scout Packs September and October at “Lazy A Ranch”

v Firewood

CROSSROAD ANNUAL POPCORN SALE!

We still have 2 boxes of Kettle Corn available – cost $10 each. Also, Council still has popcorn available. Please call Kathy Baker if you would like to purchase popcorn.

RECYCLE POP CANS!

Remember keep saving your POP CANS. We have found a place that pays for aluminum cans. It may not amount to much $$$ but every bit helps!