FORT BELVOIR, Va. (April 5) -- Fort Belvoir has a new character building program for teenagers, called the Venture Crew.
The program develops skills in areas such as research, business, environmental education and leadership.
The Venture Crew is an initiative for males and females that gives Belvoir youth control of planning and fundraising for recreational activities such as whitewater rafting, cave exploring and sailing.
"We're raising up leaders," said retired Col. Jay Santiago, crew advisor.
Jay said the program is great for resume building and developing professional skills for college and careers.
The age range for Venture Crew -- a Boy Scouts of America program -- is 14, or the completion of eighth grade, to 20 years old.
The four-month old Crew has participated in mentoring events and a laser tag outing. The small unit is looking to increase its numbers and hopes to fundraise money for future actives.
"We're all different but we work together as a team," said Alina Santiago, Venture Scout vice president for program.
Belvoir's Crew is in charge of managing funds, choosing activities and executing plans.
The program fills a gap in Belvoir's Scouting program by enabling young adults to continue Scouting or participate in the program for the first time.
"It's a chance for us to do what we always wanted," Alina said.
According to the Boy Scouts of America website, the Venture Crew became a distinct program in 1998.
Venturing helps young people mature and become responsible adults.
"It gives them the opportunity to experience the outdoors," said Christopher Gauthier, Belvoir Crew president.
Gauthier said the program is a social opportunity for Belvoir's young adults.
"I want to establish a strong foundation with a group of members who can keep this going when I go off to college," Gauthier said.
The program's goal is to expand young adult's knowledge in areas such as high adventure, sports, arts, hobbies and religious life.Venture Crew members participate in activities such as sailing the Caribbean, mountain climbing and mentoring disabled people under adult supervision.
The Crew recently helped with Fort Belvoir's Cub Scout Pack 118 activity and spring recruiting day. Members served as mentors for younger boys and distributed ice cream to Families.
Alina enjoys working with younger children, and as a female, she hopes to motivate young women to join Venture Crew.
"We can inspire them to help the community and themselves," Alina said.
The crew plans to continue helping the Belvoir community as the group grows.
Emily Hutcheson, venture scout administrative vice president, said new members can encourage more people to join the Crew and bring new ideas to help Belvoir's program develop.
"We want to grow the Crew and watch members mature," Hutcheson said.
For more information about Fort Belvoir's Venture Crew or to join, call (703) 436-1639.
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