How to Revive a Venturing Crew

Karah sent in this question about how to revive a Venturing Crew:

The problem is we only have about four other active members, all of whom are in band. So their weekends are booked. I don’t know what to do. I don’t want it to be my fault the crew dies. And I really want to stay in scouts, as a girl Venturing is my only option. How can I get people to come back? Is there anything I can do to bring new life to the Crew? Thank you so much for any advice.

My crew has never been extremely active. Meetings were dull and half of the activities were canceled before we even did them. But this fall I was in for a shock. Almost all the members left, either for college, or because they were simply bored with crew. I was left in charge, my brother and I literally hold all five positions and he’s too busy to help much.

I’ve been trying really hard this last month to improve the crew as much as possible. We are piggy-backing all the Troops campouts (My father is scoutmaster). And instead of just talking we do most of the planning online and meet to watch movies/go to restaurants and we even had a costume party.

Karah
President of Crew XV

Karah, your situation is not unusual in Venturing. Many crews begin with energy and excitement. Over time, members graduate, go to college, or become busy with school activities. Soon the crew becomes very small. When that happens, the remaining members often worry the crew might disappear. It can feel like a lot of pressure, especially when you care about the program.

Venturing crews often rise and fall as youth grow older and move into new parts of life. Unlike Cub Scout packs or Scouts BSA troops, Venturing crews depend heavily on teen interest. When that interest drops, activity drops too. Without new members joining, the crew slowly shrinks. Many crews face this cycle unless they keep bringing in new youth.

The good news is that a small crew can still work. Some of the best activities happen with a small group. Planning becomes easier and decisions happen faster. A small crew can try new ideas without a long discussion. This can help rebuild excitement and create a stronger program for everyone who stays involved.

It also helps to remember that you are not responsible for everything that happened before. You did not cause members to graduate or move away. What you can do now is focus on the future. With steady effort, a small crew can slowly grow again and become active once more.

Right now your most important members are the ones who still show up. Even if there are only a few people, they form the heart of the crew. Spend time talking with them about what they actually want to do. Ask simple questions and listen carefully. When members feel heard, they are more likely to stay involved.

Try to plan activities that everyone in the group enjoys. If the remaining members like movies, hikes, or trying new restaurants, those can become crew events. Simple gatherings still build friendships. Strong friendships are one of the main reasons youth stay involved in Venturing.

Busy schedules can make planning hard. Band practices, school events, and sports often fill weekends. Look at calendars together and find the few times when everyone is free. Even one or two activities each month can keep the crew active. Consistent events help keep interest alive.

You are already doing something smart by planning online. Many teens prefer to communicate that way. Use group chats or shared calendars so everyone stays informed. Quick online planning can save meeting time and make it easier for members to stay involved.

When the current members enjoy the program, they become your best promoters. If they have fun, they will talk about it with friends. That natural excitement helps bring new youth into the crew.

People join activities that look fun and active. If meetings feel dull, teens will not stay long. Try to keep planning focused on doing things rather than talking about them. Short planning sessions followed by real activities work much better for most crews.

Outdoor adventures are often a strong draw for Venturing. Hiking, climbing, paddling, or camping trips create excitement. These activities also help youth work together. Even small outdoor trips can create strong memories for the group.

Service projects also work well for many crews. Helping at community events, food banks, or park cleanups gives members a sense of purpose. Service can also introduce the crew to new people in the community who may later become interested in joining.

Social events help balance the program. Movie nights, game nights, or small parties can bring energy to the group. These activities are simple to plan and usually fit into busy schedules. They also give members time to relax and enjoy each other’s company.

The key is to follow through on plans. When activities get canceled often, members lose interest. Even if only a few people attend, go ahead and do the activity. Consistency shows that the crew is active and reliable.

Recruiting is one of the hardest parts of running a Venturing crew. Many crews begin with excitement but slowly fade as members move on. Without new youth joining, the crew can shrink quickly. Crews that stay strong usually recruit new members every year.

One simple method is to invite friends. Many Venturers join because someone they know asked them. Encourage each current member to invite one or two friends to an activity. A casual event often works better than a formal meeting.

An open house can also help. Choose a fun activity and invite teens from the community. Advertise through your chartered organization, school groups, or community boards. When teens see interesting activities, they may decide to try the crew.

Older Scouts from nearby troops can also be good candidates. Some Scouts want new adventures after several years in a troop. Venturing offers different activities and leadership opportunities. Invite them to a crew event so they can see what the program looks like.

Recruiting takes time and patience. Not everyone will join right away. But if you keep inviting people and keep the crew active, new members will eventually appear.

A small crew does not have to work alone. Many areas have other Venturing crews nearby. Joining forces with them can create bigger and more exciting events. Larger groups often bring more energy and new friendships.

Start by reaching out to other crews in your district or council. Leaders can often help connect youth officers from different crews. Once you meet, you can plan activities together. Joint events often attract more participation.

Shared campouts or day trips work well for this. Each crew can help with part of the planning. When several crews attend, the activity feels larger and more exciting. It also spreads out the work among several groups.

District and council Venturing events are also valuable. These gatherings bring many Venturers together in one place. Youth can meet others who share their interests. Seeing the larger Venturing community can renew excitement about the program.

These connections can also help with recruiting. When youth see an active network of Venturers, they realize the program offers many opportunities beyond a single small crew.

More about Venturing

Starting a Venturing Crew

What should we do if our Venturing crew only has a few active members?

Focus on the members who are still involved. A small group can still have fun and plan good activities. Meet with them and talk about what they enjoy doing. Choose simple activities everyone likes. Even a few people can keep the crew active. When the program stays active, it becomes easier to invite new members later.

How often should a small Venturing crew meet?

A small crew does not need to meet every week. Busy schedules can make that difficult. Try to find one or two times each month when most members are free. Some planning can also happen online. Short planning sessions and real activities help keep members interested.

What types of activities work well for a Venturing crew?

Activities that involve action usually work best. Outdoor trips, hikes, campouts, and service projects are good examples. Social events can also work well. Movie nights, meals together, or simple parties help members relax and build friendships. A mix of adventure and social time keeps the program balanced.

How can we recruit new members?

One of the best ways is to invite friends. Many youth join because someone they know asked them. Plan a fun activity and invite guests to attend. You can also hold an open house at your chartered organization. Share information through school groups or community announcements so teens know the crew exists.

Can we work with other Venturing crews?

Yes, and it often helps a lot. When small crews work together, events become larger and more exciting. You can plan joint campouts, service projects, or social events. District and council Venturing events are also good opportunities. These activities help members meet other Venturers and stay excited about the program.

What if members have very busy schedules?

Many teens have busy calendars with band, sports, and school events. Look at schedules together and find the best times for activities. Sometimes weeknight gatherings or short outings work better than full weekend trips. Flexibility helps members stay involved even when their schedules are full.

What if we plan an activity and only a few people come?

Go ahead and do the activity anyway. Canceling often can make members lose interest. When the crew follows through on plans, it shows that the program is active. Even a small group can have a good time. Consistency helps build trust and keeps the crew moving forward.

Many Venturing crews go through seasons when membership drops. Older members graduate, go to college, or become busy with school activities. Soon only a few people remain. This can feel discouraging, especially for youth leaders who want the crew to succeed. The good news is that a small crew can still rebuild. With steady effort and fun activities, it can slowly grow again.

The first step is to focus on the members who are still active. Even a small group can keep the crew alive. Talk together about the activities everyone enjoys. Plan simple events that people look forward to attending. When the current members enjoy the program, they are more likely to stay involved and invite others.

Activities should focus on doing things instead of long meetings. Outdoor trips, service projects, and social events help keep energy high. Movie nights or meals together also help members relax and build friendships. When the crew actually carries out its plans, people see that the program is active and worth joining.

Recruiting is also very important for a healthy Venturing crew. Members can invite friends to activities. An open house or special event can also attract new youth. Sharing information through the chartered organization or school groups helps others learn about the crew.

Working with other Venturing crews can also help a small group. Joint campouts or service projects bring more energy to events. District and council Venturing activities allow youth to meet others in the program. These connections often renew excitement and help small crews feel part of something larger.