Although we often work towards completing many requirements for these awards during meetings and trips, earning these awards is ultimately up to the individual. Many of the requirements require personal initiative, and commitment. Don't forget that you should be working towards you're Gold and Silver awards, even if you have not yet earned a Bronze award: many of the requirements can be passed off in advance. All information can be found in the Venturing Handbook and Ranger Guidebook.

There are three main steps in the Advancement structure.

1 - Bronze Awards
2 - Gold Award 
3 - Silver Award
 

Bronze Awards

There are five different Bronze awards for you to earn. You can earn all five, although only one is required for the Gold Award. The requirements are found in the Venturing Leader Manual and the Venturing Handbook. The five Bronze Awards are:

Outdoor
Arts and Hobbies
Sports
Youth Ministries
Sea Scouting

Just click on the above links to view the requirements for these awards. When you earn one, or all of them, you wear the ribbons above the left pocket on your uniform. After you have earned at least one of the Bronze Awards, you are eligible for the Gold Award.

 

Gold Award

The following is a brief overview of the requirements for the Gold Award. More detailed information can be found in the Venturing Leader Manual or the Venturing Handbook.

Venturing Gold Award
1. Candidates must be active and registered in Venturing for at least twelve months before final qualification.
2. They must earn at least one Venturing Bronze Award.
3. They must serve in a leadership role within the twelve months before final qualification.
4. They must participate in a district, council, or national Venturing event or activity.
5. They must set and accomplish one personal goal related to each of the six experience areas.
6. They must plan and lead at least two crew activities built around the six experience areas.
7. They must recite the Venturing Oath.
8. Three letters of recommendation from adults outside of the crew are required, and the candidate must make an oral presentation to a crew review committee.
9. They must be approved and recommended by their crew committee.

After you have earned the Gold Award, you become eligible for the Highest Award in Venturing, The Silver Award!! Once again, more detailed info can be found in the Venturing Leader Manual or the Venturing Handbook.

 

Silver Award

1. The Venturing Gold Award requires earning one Venturing Bronze Award.
2. Earn the Venturing Gold Award, which includes knowing and living the Venturing Oath, service, personal development, and 12 months' tenure.
3. Be proficient in emergency preparedness, including earning Standard First Aid and CPR certification, and knowing and using B.S.A. Safe Swim Defense.
4. Demonstrate leadership, including successfully completing the Venturing Leadership Skills course.
5. Participate in the Ethics in Action program, including Ethical Controversies activities and an Ethics Forum.
6. Show a crew review committee you have met the requirements for the Venturing Silver Award.

 

Ranger Award

If you want to push yourself to the limit, and prove your outdoor skills, you also might be interested in the Ranger Award.

Ranger candidates must complete eight core requirements:

First Aid
Leave No Trace
Wilderness Survival
Cooking
Emergency Preparedness
Land Navigation
Communications
Conservation

And four of eighteen challenging electives:

Backpacking
Mountaineering
Cave Exploring
Outdoor Living History
Cycling/Mountain Biking
Physical Fitness
Ecology
Plants and Wildlife
Equestrian
Project COPE
First Aid
Scuba
Fishing
Shooting Sports
Hunting
Watercraft
Lifesaver
Winter Sports

Note:
Anyone who has received the Outdoor Bronze Award, only needs to complete four of the core requirements and two electives to qualify for the Ranger Award.