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Venturing History

From the time when Scouting was introduced in 1907, after the famous experimental camp on Brownsea Island, Scouting has benefited boys from a tender age of 8, right up to 18. Scouting began with the idea of forming small groups (patrols), where the older member is made responsible for the conduct, welfare and development of the younger members.

In a publication Retention of the Elder Scout on December 1916, Baden Powell expressed the need to retain the older scouts especially those from the ages of 14 and above. At that time, boys at 14, after having completed their schooling, were expected to be sufficiently prepared academically to specialise for a particular occupation in life. After having made their lifelong choice of career, they would have to go through training in continuation or technical schools.

However, few boys took up this option. Instead they took up occupations that would provide them an immediate pay, without considering their future needs and provisions. This was a problem in the development of Britain’s human resource, which could lead to the downfall of the economy, as well as lowering the education standards of the country. It also worsened the boys’ future prospects and happiness in the later life.

B-P believed that through scouting, he could help to guide and mould the boys into useful people of the future. Through the unique curriculum and badge scheme, the boys are guided and taught to try everything that interests them and identify one which they are personally good at.

The problem that arose was how this curriculum should be modified for these boys within the 14 – 20 years of age category. The situation then was that the age difference between the youngest scout, the elder, and the patrol leader was considerably great. It would take the young scout several years to assume the role of a patrol leader.

Due to this problem, B-P established the Senior Scouts to provide for the older scouts. These Senior Scouts were scouts who have achieved the First Class Badge and then progress to form a special patrol. They may be assigned supervisory roles in the scout troops, such as assistants to their scoutmasters.

These Senior Patrols would form the central team for supervising or organising public service, games and practices, social recreation, and mutual instruction and study. This Unit could, when required, be trained to take up public service roles in society, such as the fire brigade duties, and work as special constables, first-aiders, emergency signallers, coastal guards, etc.

B-P grouped them under the headings of various subjects of higher training within the scouting curriculum. They were briefly Commercial, Naval, Intellectual, Manufacturing, Agricultural, Military, Trade, and Pioneering. Each category had six alternative subjects for study. This scheme was aimed to make boys efficient and fit for careers while expanding their minds and exposure in life. In this way, these boys would not be put to waste, and retained in the troop while providing assistance to the scoutmaster.

In 1945, shortly after the end of World War II, the Senior Scouts concept was introduced to Singapore. A modified programme was designed to cater to the needs of those aged between 15 – 18 years of age. In 1969, a new modernised programme was produced and the term Senior Scouts was changed in favour of Venture Scouts (Singapore). The first batch of President Scouts (the Singapore equivalent of the Queen’s Scout) was also invested in the very same year.

It was also around the same period of time (late 1960s to early 1970s) that localised versions of venturing began in countries like Australia, New Zealand, and many others. Various different names were given to this category of scouts. They are Venturers (Australia), Venturer Scouts (New Zealand), Venture Scouts (United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Singapore), and Varsities Scouts in some other countries. Some countries offered Venturing to girls as well.