By Ron VandenBoom
Venture Scout Peter Spangelo joined 11 Boy Scouts and three girls in receiving awards and recognition in a ceremony at the MSU-Northern SUB Sunday.
Spangelo received special recognition by being the first scout in Montana to receive a bronze Venture Scout award in the outdoor category.
Three young women were also welcomed into the Venture Scouts organization and presented with green shoulder tabs for their uniforms.
Also presented to various scouts during the ceremony was one Tenderfoot award, five promotions to Second Class, and one promotion to First Class. Two scouts also receive recognition for earning promotions to the rank of Star and one scout was awarded a promotion to the rank of Life.
All the scouts received patches earned for attending camp and participating in various scouting activities. An assortment of merit badges were also presented to deserving scouts.
Spangelo said he earned the bronze award several months ago, but the Venture program is so new the Montana Council didn't have all the information on the award so he is late in receiving it.
Venture Scouts have only been in Montana for about two years and according to James Spangelo, Peter's father and scout master for Troop 438 and Venture crew advisor for Crew 438 at First Lutheran Church in Havre, only about 30 such organizations currently exist in the state. There are currently two Venture groups in Havre and one in Chinook, Spangelo said.
Venture Scouts are an extension of the Boy Scouts that is co-ed and emphasizes activities for the older scout until the age of 21.
Awards in Venture Scouts can be earned in the outdoor, sports, youth in ministries, arts and hobbies, or sea scout categories. Scouts can earn bronze, silver, or gold awards in each category.
Spangelo said to earn his award he had to take a life guarding class, and complete courses on first-aid, orienteering, pioneering, and various outdoor activities.
The 16-year-old Spangelo currently holds the Life rank in Boy Scouts and expects to complete the requirements for his Eagle rank this coming summer. He said he also expects to soon qualify for the silver rank in the outdoors category of Ventures. He has been involved in Boy Scouting since he was in the third grade.
