Venturing / Exploring

Older boys participated in a senior program in early Boy Scout troops. These older boys carried out high-adventure activities and service projects, and gave leadership to young Scouts.

In 1912, Sea Scouting was founded for older Scouts and flourished as a program based on the traditions of the sea. Sea Scouting in America was founded in 1912. That year, Arthur A. Carey of Waltham, Massachusetts, had Sea Scouts using the schooner Pioneer and was appointed Chairman of the National Council Committee on Sea Scouting. Carey's Cruising for Sea Scouts was the first literature related to Sea Scouting.

Since its beginning, the Boy Scouts of America had been aware of the need for an older-boy program. Mr. Carey made the first real effort to satisfy that need when he helped promote Sea Scouting with his pamphlet.

In 1935, senior Scouts, boys 15 and older, were called Explorers for the first time, and many were organized in separate Explorer crews in troops, using a senior Scout program.

The Venturing program of the Boy Scouts of America includes girls and boys ages 14 through 20 who have completed the eighth grade and are members of high adventure, religious, hobby, and outdoor programs. The Exploring program of Learning For Life includes girls and boys ages 14 through 20 who have completed the eighth grade and are members of Career Exploring programs.