Ages 14½ to 18
The Venturer Unit is open to teenagers aged 14½ to 18. Venturers are more independent from their Leaders. The Unit is run by the Venturers allowing them to enjoy a wide range of outdoor and indoor activities. Leaders provide advice and guidance instead of telling the Venturers what to do. Venturers don’t just develop physical skills. They learn responsibility for the environment and work on service projects.
Contributing and helping out in the community is one of the Scouting principles encouraged in the Venturer Unit. Venturers are also encouraged to mentor and provide guidance to the younger sections.
The major award for the Venturer section is the Queen's Scout Award. This award normally takes a Venturer about 2 years to complete. The award is regarded highly by most employers and can add points to university entrance scores.
Venturers offers a well-trodden pathway to future success for our youth.
Joining Venturers
All new members are invited to enjoy the free 4 week trial period before joining. You will need to complete the the 'Application for Youth Membership (Y1)' before your child can participate in any Scout meetings.
Once the new Venturer has attended a few Scout meetings they can then be invested into the group. A uniform does not need to be worn until they are ready to be invested.
To join the world of Scouting submit a ✉ Contact Me request.
Investiture in the Unit
Once the Venturer Scout is ready to be invested and join the group, the Group Leader or Venturer Leader will discuss a date for investiture and the fees. You will need to purchase a uniform for the Venturer Scout before they can be invested into the Unit.
At the Investiture meeting the Venturer will stand before the Unit and the Leaders to make the Promise. They will receive the group scarf, badges and a warm welcome to the Unit. The new scout will then be invested to the Unit as a 1st Hazelbrook Venturer Scout.
Venturer Scout Units
Venturers work together in a single group, the Venturer Unit. The Unit Council makes the decisions, plans and runs the activities, drawing on expert help from the Venturer Leaders whenever required. Venturers is a do-it-yourself mix of fun, adventure and personal challenge. Each week the Venturer Unit will plan activities aimed at building on the Units skills, developing new skills in the Unit and earning award badges.
You may find yourself exploring the wilderness of Australia, camping above the snowline or diving on coral reefs. You could be abseiling into a limestone cave or climbing a sheer rock face. Perhaps you’ll learn white water kayaking or ride your mountain bike on an expedition across real mountains.
The Social side of Venturers is up to the Venturers. They attend camps, discos and outings with shared interests. They meet new people and have plenty of time to get to know them and make lifelong friends. Venturers is all about having serious fun.
Venturer Uniform
The Venturer Scout Uniform consists of
A dark blue shirt with maroon across the sleeve, yoke and collar.
The Hazelbrook Scout Group scarf and woggle.
Navy blue pants or shorts.
Enclosed shoes must be worn.
The Venturer shirt can be purchased on-line from The Scouts Shop
Your Venturer Leaders can help you selecting the right shirt sizes.
Your new Venturer will receive their 1st Hazelbrook Group scarf and woggle during their Investiture ceremony.
Venturer Scout Badges and Awards
Venturing Skills Award
The first badge to be awarded in Venturers is the Venturer Skills Badge. The aim of this badge is for a Venturer to show their Scouting skills to the Unit. To achieve this award a Venturer Scout must meet requirements for the basic skills of bushwalking; first aid, and the award scheme.
The Venturer Award
The second badge to be awarded in Venturers is the Venturer Award Badge. The aim of this badge is for a Venturer to build on their Scouting skills. To achieve this award a Venturer Scout must gain the Venturer Award level in initiative, environment, unit management, ideals and first aid; plus two other optional areas on approval of the Unit Council.
Endeavour Award
The next badge level available to a Venturer is the Endeavor Award. The aim of this badge is for a Venturer to develop a specialist skill in one area of activity. To achieve this award a Venturer must put in more than 50 hours of work developing their expertise in the selected field.
Other badges
There are a number of other minor badges a Venturer Scout will receive for demonstrating expertise in various skills and participating in Unit activities.
Queen’s Scout Award
The Queen’s Scout Award is the ultimate award for a Venturer. To achieve this award a Venturer must be able to set a goal; plan progress towards that goal; organise their self and others; and maintain the determination to overcome difficulties and complete the task.
They must also have achieved the Venturing Skills Award and complete the requirements in four award areas:
Outdoor Activities – demonstrates that the Venturer Scout is challenged in initiative, expeditions an outdoor adventures.
Community Involvement – activities centred on citizenship, community service and caring for the environment.
Leadership Development – involvement in Unit management and leadership courses and studying different vocations.
Personal Growth – self development through expressions, ideals, mental pursuits and personal lifestyle.
Each year only a few Venturer Scouts achieve this prestigious award. The award is presented by the Governor and Chief Scout of New South Wales, as a representative of the Queen, at Government House.
Queen's Scout Award Policy Handbook (PDF)
Read more about the Venturer Award Scheme on the Scouts NSW site.
