Venturing, a program within the Boy Scouts of America (BSA), offers a range of awards designed to recognize Venturers’ achievements in leadership, skills development, and service. Here’s a list of current and historical Venturing awards:
Current Venturing Awards
- Venturing Award: Recognizes a Venturer’s commitment to learn and serve within their crew. It’s often the first award a Venturer earns.
- Discovery Award: Focuses on personal growth and Venturers’ participation in crew activities and events.
- Pathfinder Award: Highlights leadership, service, and advanced personal development through crew activities.
- Summit Award: The highest award in Venturing, emphasizing leadership, service, and mentorship.
Special and Thematic Awards
- Ranger Award: Focuses on outdoor and high-adventure skills, requiring Venturers to complete a core set of requirements and electives.
- Trust Award: Encourages exploration of ethical and religious beliefs through service and reflection.
- Quest Award: Highlights excellence in fitness and sports, including leadership, training, and event participation.
Leadership and Service Awards
- Venturing Leadership Award (VLA): Recognizes outstanding leadership and service by Venturers and adults at various levels (council, area, region, and national).
- National Outdoor Awards: Available for Venturers who excel in outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, aquatics, and conservation.
Discontinued Awards
- Silver Award: The highest award in Venturing before the Summit Award replaced it in 2014.
- Gold Award: A mid-level award that focused on leadership and service (replaced by the Discovery and Pathfinder Awards).
- Bronze Awards: Recognized achievements in specific categories: Arts and Hobbies, Outdoor, Sports, Religious Life, and Sea Scout (integrated into other programs in 2014).
These awards allow Venturers to develop skills, lead in their communities, and achieve personal growth.