Another aspect of Venturing is the introduction of an entirely independent recognition program. There are two aspects to recognition. One of these is a general recognition of the progress of the individual, without regard to any particular advancement or award program. This provides a recognition of the standard activities that the youth are participating in. The second is the award program of Venturing.
By having an independent award program, Venturing enables an opportunity to allow all crew members to be equals. Each crew member enters with a clean slate relative to Venturing awards. Young men who perhaps stalled early in other Scouting experiences have the same opportunities as young men who have completed the Eagle rank. The time constraints for Eagle that may cause some young men to give up on participation are eliminated as young men can turn their attention to the highest Venturing award, the Silver award.
The award system in Venturing is based on three progressive levels: Bronze, Gold and Silver. Each is required to move to the next step. There is potential for crew members to use the Bronze award system as a stimulus on activity planning. In LDS Venturing, the Youth Ministries Bronze is an especially suitable target. For a more outdoor-based program, the Outdoor Bronze and Ranger award can serve as a focus for activity ideas. In addition, for young men who have outside interests, they can use those interests toward earning the other Bronze awards in Sports, Arts and Hobbies, and even Sea Scouting.
In coordination with the Venturing awards, it is essential to recognize the importance of the Duty to God award for the Aaronic Priesthood. I will try to outline how I see the awards in Venturing can help fulfill the purposes of the Aaronic Priesthood, as well as how they match closely to the Duty to God program.
Question: How much leeway is there in adapting the requirements of the Bronze awards?