If you’re in high school and still doing traditional Scouting, it might be time to ask yourself a tough question: Is this still the right place for me? For many older teens, the answer might be “no”—and not because Scouting is bad, but because there’s something better waiting: Venturing.
Let’s get it out of the way up front—Venturing isn’t “quitting Scouting.” In fact, it’s the natural next step for teens who’ve grown beyond campouts and merit badges and are ready to start leading, adventuring, and shaping their own experiences. Venturing is co-ed, high-adventure, youth-led, and packed with real leadership growth. It’s Scouting’s grown-up cousin—and it might just be the program that finally treats you like the emerging adult you are.
Venturing Crew 75 has it right, it is where BS Stops, and the Adventure begins. And Yes, BS Stands for Boy Scouting, or because of the name change Scouting America.
Here’s why high schoolers should seriously consider trading their Scout uniform for a green Venturing shirt. Or in the case of our crew’s official uniform, the Royal Purple Shirt.
1. Venturing Respects Your Age and Maturity
By high school, you’ve likely been through your fair share of merit badge classes, troop meetings, and campouts. At some point, those things stop being exciting and start feeling like repetition. That’s not your fault—it’s just that Scouting America program plan built for a wider age range, starting at 11, commonly ending about 15.
Venturing, on the other hand, starts at 14 and ends at 21. That’s a huge shift in mindset. In Venturing, you’re treated like a young adult. You plan your own adventures. You lead your peers. You make decisions that shape your crew’s identity. Nobody’s going to spoon-feed you a program. It’s yours to build. That’s empowering—and a lot more engaging than sitting through yet another knot-tying demo.
2. It’s Real Leadership, Not Just “Positions”
Let’s be honest: leadership in a lot of troops is more about wearing the patch than actually leading. In Venturing, leadership isn’t a title—it’s action. Your crew president actually runs meetings. The treasurer actually manages money. The VP of Program isn’t a figurehead—they’re in charge of making things happen.
And since crews are smaller and more peer-oriented, there’s less adult micromanagement and more real opportunity to step up. It’s a training ground for college, work, and life.
3. The Program Is Built Around Adventure and Exploration
Venturing isn’t about checking boxes for advancement—it’s about getting out there and doing things that challenge you. Want to go backpacking in the Rockies? Set it up. Want to learn SCUBA, go spelunking, or plan a trip to Europe? If your crew has the drive, there’s nothing stopping you.
That sense of freedom can be a game-changer for teens who feel boxed in by the structure of traditional Scouting. You’re not stuck in someone else’s program. You get to build your own.
4. You Can Still Earn Awards (If You Want To)
Venturing has its own advancement path, focused more on leadership, personal growth, and adventure than on badges. The Venturing Awards—Pathfinder, Discovery, and Summit—are respected and legitimate achievements all on high school age level changes, whereas the rank to Eagle is race to the finish. In fact, earning the Summit Award is on par with the Eagle Scout in terms of challenge and prestige.
Here’s the thing – you can still earn your Eagle – in a crew. Or if you don’t want to – enjoy the adventure – you don’t need to earn a single thing.
And here’s the kicker: you can stay in your troop long enough to finish Eagle if that’s your goal, and still be active in a crew at the same time. Dual registration is a thing. But once Eagle is done—or if you realize Eagle isn’t your thing—Venturing can take you in a whole new direction without missing a beat.
5. It’s Co-Ed, Social, and Connected
Let’s face it: high schoolers care about their social lives. If it ain’t cool, it ain’t worth the time. Scouting is still single-gender at the troop level. Venturing crews are co-ed, which means a more balanced, realistic social experience. Not only that, but the Girls generally kick the Boys Butt, at nearly everything. And it’s not easy.
That’s not just about dating—though let’s be real, it’s a factor—it’s about working with diverse teams, building real-world collaboration skills, and feeling like part of a group that reflects your actual social world. A Scouting America Troop either all Boys or all Girls, do not permit that interaction.
Yes Parents, there is no fraternization in the crew. We have a non Public Display of Affection for our youth and adults. We are here for the adventure, not for weekend dating trips away from the parents (or in the case of adults – our kids)
Plus, Venturing connects you with older, more experienced youth who might be preparing for college, jobs, the military or serious adventures. It’s a network of capable, ambitious people—and that’s the kind of peer group that can push you forward. We have connections, and community support, as well as a duty to be supportive in return. Citizenship is a reciprocal action, not just a few words.
6. You’re Not Just a Participant—You’re the Architect
In traditional Scouting, adults and long-standing traditions often dictate how things are done. In Venturing, crews write their own bylaws, design their own uniforms (within reason), plan their own activities, and even decide how to spend their money. You’re not just signing up for a program—you’re helping to build it.
That level of autonomy can be incredibly motivating. You’re not “in” a crew—you are the crew.
Don’t Let Nostalgia or Fear Hold You Back
There’s nothing wrong with Scouting America middle school programs. For many, it’s where the journey begins. But sometimes we outgrow our beginnings. Think of it as you in your 10 year old pants, and now you are 15 – you have outgrown them, and now have to slide into something that fits. High schoolers who are tired of troop life aren’t “burned out”—they’re just ready for something more.
The fear of not earning Eagle for your resume holds many back because of the middle school program bias of adults. You can have a program you create that helps you obtain the rank of Eagle.
Steve Harvey of Family Feud said it best, “To Be Successful, You Need to Jump” – and that is when you find out that grand canyon is only a three inch step. Don’t believe us? Well, here’s our list of Eagle Scouts earned through our Crew.
Click me
Venturing is that and much more. It’s the part of Scouting where you stop being led and start leading. Where you stop checking boxes and start chasing goals. Where you stop waiting for the adults to tell you what’s next—and start figuring it out for yourself. Our adults are there to encourage and push you to obtain success, we even play the game with you, versus giving you the rules.
So if you’re in high school and wondering whether you’ve outgrown traditional Scouting, take a good look at Venturing. You might just find it’s the program you’ve been waiting for all along.
