The Central Point - July 2014 | Page 3

Celebrate Venturing! On May 29, 2014, over 100 Venturers, Advisors, and friends and family members from the Greater St. Louis Area Council gathered to celebrate Venturing over the last year at the annual Venturing Celebration Dinner. The Venturing Celebration Dinner is something that is planned by the Council’s Venturing Officers’ Association to bring to light the accomplishments of its Venturers and to have one last get together to start the summer off right! After a wonderful barbeque meal prepared by a local Boy Scout Troop as a fundraiser, the evening venue began with a guest speaker and several recognitions. Venturers who earned Bronze and Gold Awards were called to the stage; Ranger, Quest, and TRUST awards were presented; Sea Scout accomplishments were recognized, and the Venturing Silver Awards were presented to 8 youth. The council then recognized 8 youth with the Venturing Leadership Award, and 6 adults with the Venturing Servant Leader Award (an award created by the council VOA to recognize adults for their dedication to being a servant leader for the youth). Staff who would work at the local summer camp and at the council's Venturing camp were introduced, as well as the current VOA officers and advisors, and youth that were elected to hold Area, Regional, or National positions for the upcoming term were introduced and presented with their Gold epaulettes. A National Court of Honor took place, in which Emily Mausshardt, the Central Region Venturing President, was inducted into the National Youth Leadership Society, and the final award of the night was the Greater St. Louis Area Council VOA Outstanding Service Award for one youth and one adult who went above and beyond in service to the council Venturing program. The VOA president gave a report of Venturing in the past year and promoted upcoming Council events, and the program concluded with a brief word from the Greater St. Louis Area Council Scout Executive. The night ended with cake and more socializing! What does your Council do to celebrate Venturing and Scouting throughout the year? Maybe a council-wide event is something that would be good for your Venturers. There are so many ways to celebrate Venturing, and so many people that should be celebrating! ~ Lizzie Schneider