ELBURN – Venturing Crew 413 in Elburn started 18 months ago. Even though the Venturing Crew is relatively new, it has done some amazing things in such a short time.

“We have already logged more than 1,500 hours service hours for our community,” Linda Potvin, head crew adviser, said.

“Including planting and caring for a garden to provide food for the food pantry, helping St. Gall with their move, keeping up the grounds at the new church, painting a fence at the St. Gall cemetery, helping at Midway Airport when the Honor Flights come in and volunteering at the Fox Valley Marathon.”

The crew members have a lot of fun, too. They have experienced indoor sky diving, mini-golfing, camping, backpacking and skiing, just to name a few. This past August, the Venturing Crew had its first big high adventure, a 10-day trip to Florida.

“Our Florida trip included the Everglades, sailing, fishing, snorkeling, Walt Disney World and Kennedy Space Center,” Potvin said.

“We spent four days on a 40-foot sailboat where the kids worked the sail, cooked the meals and drove the boat while living and sleeping under the stars.”

Kyle Roethemeier is the crew president and joined in 2016 when Crew 413 was founded. He was interested in all the activities they had planned, such as camping, indoor skydiving and sailing.

“It’s a good experience to get away from home, getting to go do things you don’t normally do, and it’s a fun way to meet new friends,” Roethemeier said. “But the best thing about the program is definitely the leadership skills.”

The Elburn Venturing Crew 413 has nine youth leaders with eight adult advisers. They are hoping to increase those numbers with an open house Sept. 21.

“The Crew only meets twice a month, which sometimes includes an activity,” Potvin said. “So it’s not a huge commitment.”

Venturing is a youth led, inclusive program through the Boy Scouts of America for males and females aged 14 through 21.

The main purpose is to plan activities and adventures on a regular basis.

The Venturing program emphasizes four main areas known as the ALPS model: Adventure, Leadership, Personal Growth and Service.

This model is a guide for youths to get the most out of their adventures as they prepare for their future, regardless if that may be in college, the workforce, or somewhere else.

Adventure is the key to Venturing - as a venturer, not only will the young adults participate in outings and adventures, but they will also decide what those are and lead them, according to the Boy Scouts of America Venturing website.

Personal growth comes from what they learn from their experiences as a venturer, which helps them identify and develop their talents and abilities so they can be prepared for life’s challenges and opportunities.

Venturing’s commitment to community service will allow each crew to develop a program full of opportunities to serve others.

For those interested in where Venturing Crew 413 is going next or to join, visit the open house at 7 p.m. Sept. 21 at St. Gall Church, 43W885 Hughes Rd., Elburn.

For information, contact Potvin 630-531-0061 or Bruce Aderman 630-404-6113.