Providing Service to Venturing and Scouting

Venturing Corps of Discovery

What is it? • The Corps of Discovery is a grassroots movement (just

as the Order of the Arrow began) to form a Service Society for the Venturing program. 

• It’s a society of Venturers (female & male) and Adult Leaders who are committed to promoting Venturing within the Scouting Community and the general public

• There is currently no “organizational structure” for the Corps of Discovery. It can occur at the Council or District level, the Crew or the individual level through extraordinary service to Scouting.

Venturing Corps of Discovery

What is its purpose?

• The primary purpose of the Corps of Discovery is to promote Venturing and its ideals though service, with Servant Leadership being a means to that end.

• It is also intended to recognize those who serve Venturing and Scouting and to offer them opportunities for fellowship with other like minded Venturers and Scouters.

Venturing Corps of Discovery

What kinds of Service are offered by members?

• Members serve on Teen Leaders Cabinets, Venturing Officers Associations, and District Roundtable committees.

• They serve as Instructors and Staff for ILSC & Kodiak Treks.

• They serve on District, Area, Regional, and national Venturing Committees.

• They serve as staff for Scouting, Cub Scouting events and for Scout Camps.

Venturing Corps of Discovery

What is the History of this organization?• Named for the group who traveled with Lewis and Clark • A pilot group was formed in July, 1999 in the Northwest Suburban

Council near Chicago• Soon, a second Outpost was formed in Orem, UT , and a third in

Knoxville, TN• In 2005, an induction ceremony for 30 Venturers was held at the

closing ceremony of a Kodiak Trek on the Colorado River near Moab, UT

• In 2006, an induction ceremony for 25 Venturers was held at the closing ceremony of a Kodiak Trek on the Salmon River near Lewiston, ID

• Since then it has been slowly taking footholds across the country

Venturing Corps of DiscoveryHow do I become a member?

• The Corps of Discovery is open to youth and adults in the Venturing Program who have been elected upon demonstration of significant contributions to the Venturing program.

• Your Crew, District, and/or Council can start a Corps of Discovery unit– Contact an Outpost near you to assist you with inductions– Contact an Outpost through the Corps Yahoo group to assist you in setting up

• Meetings are not necessary, but are very helpful. Individual members provide individual service, promoting Venturing wherever they go.

• Members promote the Corps by wearing a Corps of Discovery pocket flap on their official green Venturing Uniform.

Venturing Corps of Discovery

What’s Next?• Start a Corps of Discovery Outpost• Identify some service opportunities• Join the Corps of Discovery Yahoogroups and register

your members there• Order pocket flaps• Promote Venturing by proudly serving and wearing your

uniform!

RecognitionCorps of Discovery pocket flap

Certificate

Animal Tooth

ResourcesCrew 1717’s website

http://www.crew1717.org

Craig Murray’s Website– www.sageventure.com/COD

CoD Yahoo Group– groups.yahoo.com/group/corpsofdiscovery/

CoD Facebook Group