Advancement, Awards and Recognition

Awards and recognition in the Venturer program and in the Aaronic Priesthood can help to foster in our young men a desire to honor the priesthood and improve their talents and abilities.  The purpose of recognition is to acknowledge self-motivated service or accomplishment.  Each adult leader should search out opportunities to acknowledge and recognize such service or accomplishments.  The setting of goals by a young man and his progress toward these goals should be one of the subjects discussed during the Bishop's interviews with each Priests Quorum member every six months.  In addition, the Crew Administrative Vice-President is responsible to promote recognition and achievement among Crew members. 

 The following awards are available to those in Aaronic Priesthood Venturing Crews: 
 

•  On My Honor Award.  This is the Church's religious award for young men enrolled in scouting programs.  It requires two full years of scouting registration and participation, achievement of the rank of Star, and worthiness established by a Bishop's interview.  Young men may receive the On My Honor award as early as age 13.   They must complete requirements before they are 19.    •  Duty to God Award.  This is an Aaronic Priesthood award showing a high level of faithfulness throughout a young man's Aaronic Priesthood career.  Young men must meet the following requirements for each of four full years as an Aaronic Priesthood holder, including one full year as a priest:  a)  Keep Gospel commandments, as established by a yearly Bishop's interview b)  Attend 75% of sacrament meetings, priesthood meetings, Sunday School, youth activity night, and seminary each year c)  Participate in three service projects each year d)  Give a sacrament meeting talk yearly  Young men may receive the Duty to God award as early as age 17.  They must complete requirements before they are 19.  Converts to the Church are allowed some leeway on the required number of years.    •  Eagle Award (also merit badges, and other scouting rank awards).  The process of developing skills and strength of character while earning the Eagle award is excellent preparation for missionary service and other adult life challenges.  Bishops and Quorum/Crew advisors should encourage Quorum/Crew members to achieve the Eagle award, and assist and support them in achieving this goal.  For scouting rank advancement, the Crew Adviser and Crew Committee function in the same role as Scoutmaster and Troop Committee for the regular scout program.    •  Venturing Gold Award.  This Venturing award allows the young man to set his own goals to develop his individual talents and leadership skills, with the six Venturing experience areas as his guide.  (See Venturer Leader Handbook, p. A-87)