Venturing’s three levels of adventure are designed to challenge and engage crew members to experience adventure. Each level provides crew members with opportunity for leadership, personal growth, and skill development. While Tier I activities are fairly basic, they provide a preparation for the greater challenges and opportunities involved in Tier II and Tier III activities. A well-balanced crew activity program will include activities and adventures in all tiers. The use of Tier II and Tier III adventures is important because of the degree of planning and preparation required to organize and carry them out. These adventures are real tests of your growth as a leader.
Tier I Adventure
- Very little preparation, planning, or prior skill development needed.
- Less than one day duration (not overnight).
- Not far outside comfort zone.
- Typically, these adventures are good crew fun or recruiting activities and easily accommodate guests.
- Examples include bowling night, watch-and-learn STEM night, a trip to a natural history museum, and a climbing wall activity.
- Tier I adventures may be stepping stones that lead to implementing a Tier II or Tier III adventure.
- Some planning, preparation, and possibly skill development is required.
- Less than four days duration.
- Outside the standard range of activities.
- Examples include organizing and running a Special Olympics event, staging a music and dance event for a nursing home, a weekend canoe trip or camping trip, and a three-day crew road rally.
- Tier II adventures can serve as shakedown events that lead to Tier III adventure.
- Extensive planning, preparation, and prior skill development required.
- At least four days duration; mentally and physically challenging.
- Tier III adventures are highlights of the program year and may take place once or twice annually. Your crew will invest considerable time and energy in preparing and carrying out a Tier III adventure.
- Examples include a 50-mile backpacking trip, planning and directing a science-themed Cub Scout day camp, taking a trip to a week-long arts festival, planning a New York City museum tour, organizing a sports camp for disabled youth, and planning, organizing, and participating in an international Scouting event or programming at a BSA high-adventure base.