Venturing toward Alaska

By George Leroy Hunter
MILFORD — The Boy Scouts' Venturing Crew 139 of Milford held a car wash fundraiser on Sept. 2, when for several hours they scrubbed vehicles in the parking lot of the Milford Township Municipal Building on Route 6/209.
Financial donations instead of a set fee were accepted to fund a trip to Alaska in 2019. Venturing is an inclusive program through the Boy Scouts of America for males and females ages 14 to 21.
The Marsch-Kellogg American Legion Post 139 in Milford is the charter organization of Venturing Crew 139. Members are Ethan Monks (13), Robert Riccio (15), Carson Monks (17), Katie Gandolfo (16), Olivia Gandolfo (15), Isabella Saski (16), Gwendolyn Saski (14) and Grace Gandolfo (14). The young people live in the area.
The purpose of the Venturing program is for participating youth to experience adventure, leadership, personal growth and service. The first letter of the words adventure, leadership, personal growth and service are used as an acronym. The areas of emphasis is A-L-P-S: Adventure, Leadership, Personal Growth, Service.
The Venturing ALPS model is a guide to getting the most out of ones adventures as the youth prepare for their future, regardless what path in life they may take.
The trip to Alaska is two years away, but a lot has to be done before then. That is where the ALPS model comes in. Even though adults are available in an advisory role it is up to the crew members to lead and plan the steps for their trip/adventure to become reality.
That means planning ahead logistically and financially. Along the way personal growth is achieved on an individual level and collectively as a group. The weekend car wash is among many ventures Venturing Crew 139 will engage in to meet their goal to explore Alaska. Mental and emotional maturity will be put to the test as they work towards their goal.
Crew members will also learn money management as they raise funds in different ways. In return the community benefits by the services Venturing Crew 139 provides.
Working towards their goal to reach Alaska could be an adventure itself.
Parent and Venturing Crew 139 adviser Joe Saski commented "They (crew members) plan the logistics and raise all of the money. That is how they learn leadership, that is the basis of the program. Money is raised in various ways such as with our baby sitting co-op. When someone contacts Venturing Crew 139 in need of a babysitter one of our crew members will be provided. The money paid to the babysitter will go towards the fund for our Alaska trip.”
Interested parties wanting babysitting service or to donate and other inquires can visit Venturing Crew 139's website crew139.us.
Venture Crew 139 also has a Facebook page.
Venture Crew 139's email address is Venturingcrew139@gmail.com.