Fuquay Varina, NC – Water skiing and hiking seem like good ways to get in shape and have fun; however, many high school students do not know of any group that can help them get involved in such activities. A Venture Crew provides these intense outdoor activities and fun that many students desire.
“High school students of all ages interested in activities such as water tubing and rock climbing can join,” Venture Crew Adviser Matt Price said.
“It’s open to kids 14 years and older, he added. “They have to be going into ninth grade, and it’s co-ed. The Knights of Columbus from St Bernadette Catholic Church sponsors us, and we’re run through Boy Scouts. We do a lot of camping and outdoor-type activities, like skiing, white water rafting, camping, and hiking.”
Although it offers so many activities, many people still remain unaware of Venture Crew’s existence, despite the it’s durability as a school group, she added.
“In 2008 home school and charter high school students started it,” he said. “Two of them Boy Scouts, were talking about it with some of the girls, and said, ‘How can we get in on something like this?’ They researched, and they came up with this idea.”
While the Crew’s existence did not result in a large number of members, “word of mouth has gained some popularity for the club,” said Tim Driver , Venture Crew president.
“My friend and I found out about the Venture Crew ski trip coming up in February, and I really wanted to go,” said a new recruit. After joining Venture Crew, members only have a minimal number of responsibilities to carry out, Driver added.
“Everybody can plan a trip if they want to, but it’s not required,” he said. “The crew members need to show up to meetings and participate in fund raisers. Everybody is expected to help out on camp-outs, whether you cook, clean or setup.”
Officers have some additional responsibilities, depending on their job, said treasurer Hannah Lee. “I handle the money and raise funds,” she explained. “It’s really not hard.”
Along with directing the other officers, Venture Crew presidents have additional jobs, but the power gives the officer a chance to effect change, Driver said. “I wanted to change a whole bunch of things and add a whole bunch of activities and make it not just about the outdoors part,” he explained. “I wanted to bring in wall climbing and swimming, to make it a little friendlier for people who weren’t sure they liked the outdoorsy stuff.”
For the people who like outdoor camping trips, Venture Crew provides an intense, fun campout experience, and it gives its members a chance to learn new abilities, Price said.
“It is just a good way to have fun, meet people, go camping, be outdoors and learn a few basic survival skills that you need when you grow up, like how to cook,” he added. “With so many benefits of joining the club, Venture Crew members never feel dissatisfied with their choice of joining,” Driver said.
“I learned how to build a fire and put up a tent,” he said. “I have gained a lot of friends, too.”
Venture Crew members definitely get their money’s worth with the fun trips they go on, as costs of trips run from $20-400, not including the amount taken off after participating in fund raisers, Lee said.
“There are a lot of neat outdoor activities that you would have never thought you would like, such as rock climbing, and it’s a cheap way to experience what you normally wouldn’t experience,” she added. “It’s definitely worth it.”
Crew 75 is a Venture Crew located in Fuquay Varina, NC and has members as far away as Southern Pines, and range in ages from 14 to college age. Crew members go on to be in the Air Force Academy, Army, Professors, Doctors, and a multitude of other outstanding careers. The crew meets the first and third Friday of every month and has a high adventure outing once a quarter. If you or a friend is interested in the Venturing world, please join them at their Venturing recruitment fairs. You can see the fairs at www.crew75.com
