Rank Advancement

The Venturing program, which, in 1998 replaced the portions of the old Explorer program which were not transferred to the Learning for Life organization, originally created a series of awards for Venturers called the Bronze, Gold, and Silver Awards. In May, 2014, a new set of awards were introduced, to replace the Bronze, Gold, and Silver Awards. The new awards, were named the Venturing, Discovery, Pathfinder, and Summit Awards. Venturers could continue earning the current (Bronze, Gold, and Silver) awards until December 31, 2014. Beginning in May 2014, Venturers could also convert to the new awards. If they did so, existing Venturers had to begin with the Discovery Award, while new Venturers began with the Venturing Award. In 2021, although the requirements were not changed, BSA reclassified the Venturing, Discovery, Pathfinder, and Summit "Awards" as "Ranks", similar to the ranks used in Scouts BSA and Sea Scouting. All Venturers must now utilize the new awards requirements.

Keep in mind that Venturing Crews are separate units, and should not be confused with what were formerly the similarly named Venture Patrols (now known as Older Scout Patrols) which can exist in Boy Scout Troops. For a brief introduction to the Venturing Program, its advancement program, and how forming a Venturing Crew can supplement to your existing Troop program, check out the PowerPoint slide presentation by Brad Harris, former Associate Director, Venturing Division, BSA, which we have available below.

In addition, Leadership Awards, can be earned at the Council, Area/Region, and National levels.

Until February, 2016, Sea Scouting was part of the Venturing program group. Sea Scouting is now a completely separate program. Sea Scouts are NOT eligible for the Venturing ranks and/or awards, unless they register with a Venturing Crew in addition to their membership in a Sea Scout Ship, but they are eligible for various other awards open to Scouts and Venturers, such as the various aquatics and hiking awards.

Any Venturer who has achieved the First Class rank as a Scout in a troop (or did so as a Varsity Scout in a team) may continue advancement toward Star, Life and Eagle Scout ranks, and Eagle Palms, up to his or her 18th birthday.

• They must meet the requirements as prescribed in the official Scouts BSA Handbooks and on Scouting.org.

• As the Venturer meets requirements for the Star and Life ranks, a board of review will be conducted by the crew committee.

• The Eagle board of review should follow the procedures established by the local council.

Here is some general information and key points about the current advancement program:

The Venturing ranks, awards, and other recognitions programs are designed to help Venturers grow in the areas of adventure, leadership, personal development, and service. The ranks and Awards serve as benchmarks that give Venturers a structure for developing their own personal vision into manageable goals that lead to recognition by their peers, mentors, and the larger community.

The Venturing rank advancement program has four levels:

• All Venturers should earn the Venturing rank soon after formally joining the program.

• Venturers then proceed by earning the Discovery and Pathfinder ranks.

• Finally, Venturers earn the Summit rank, in which a young person formally serves as a mentor to other Venturers in his or her crew.

Venturing is a flexible program, and the rank advancement program is designed to help all Venturers, no matter what their crew specialty, to grow and develop.