---

Venturing...if you haven't heard... is "serious fun." As a program affiliated with the Boy Scouts of America, the name aptly describes what the program's all about. Sometimes a Venturing Crew goes forth and does stuff with area Boy Scouts but sometimes not. Members of a crew might be found venturing out into the community, being Santa's helpers or working behind the scenes at a pancake breakfast just as surely as they'd be found in the wilderness.

The beauty of being a "venturer" is you get to choose what you do.

Five girls belong to the local Venturing Crew #007 at this time, but there's room for more.

Crew Chair Jim King said he'd like to have about a dozen in the group. King oversees the crew with co-chair Michelle Spanjers, and Teri Hodges, who does training, and there's crew advisor Julie Benoy and Anne Marie Schmitz.

Venturing starts at age 14 and you can remain a member until age 21.

It came into its own, an off-shoot of Boy Scouts of America, around 1998. Venturing used to be part of the Explorers program with the Boy Scouts, so it's geared towards older youth or young adults.

Holly, who just "aged-out" but hopes to stay active as an adult advisor, said she got involved because in Girl Scouts her troop didn't do outdoorsy, physically challenging activities she enjoys. She wanted to go camping, learn rock climbing and see out-of-the-way sites.

She got what she wished for with Crew #007.

This group has been to Isle Royale, (missing their 50-mile hike goal by five miles), and has spent time camping on the North Shore. They have forged many singular memories, with alot of their stories involving strange camp cuisine.

The crew devotes about half its time to camping and learning outdoor skills, and the other half doing community service-- hence the slogan serious fun.

Forest Lake Masonic Hall is the crew sponsor. In return they help the Masons at their events. Crew #007 has also worked fundraiser events with Wyoming Lions and they help with Cub Scout and Boy Scout programs too.

The girls were excited to learn at their monthly meeting recently, that the bus to the annual Boy Scout gathering in Galena, Illinois has vacant seats. Venturing Crew members (and advisors) signed up on the spot for this anticipated adventure. This is the trip where the bus also stops at the "Field of Dreams" in Iowa for a pick-up game on the field originally built for the movie.

Venturing accepts new members anytime of the year.

If you would like to see what it's all about contact King at 257-2436. Don't let your family's economic situation hold you back-- the crew does a number of fundraisers that help each participant build a savings account. The funds can be allocated to fees covering trips, meals and even necessary equipment.

---