Venture Crew overcomes obstacles

Members of Venture Crew 615, sponsored by Wesley United Methodist Church in Evans, recently participated in Fort Gordon's Leader Reaction and Obstacle Courses.

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The course challenged the Venturers to use planning, teamwork and a limited amount of equipment to overcome obstacles at Fort Gordon's facilities.

Students from the Regimen-tal Noncommissioned Officer Academy volunteered as the range cadre and instructors. The students spent their day off working to develop the Venturers' leadership, communication, problem-solving and teamwork skills.

"When they came out here, we gave them a scenario, designated or removed a leader, gave them a limited time to develop a plan, and then gave them 15 minutes to negotiate the obstacle," said Sgt. 1st Class Jason Whitten, the lead volunteer and small-group leader from the academy.

"This experience helps them with communications, working together, solving problems as a team, and learning how to plan in a time-constrained context. It's a great opportunity for them to come out and have this experience," he said.

After the Venturers completed each of the tasks, the cadre conducted a review to help them identify what they could have done better.

Heidi Hoelscher said one thing they learned was that "the boys didn't want to listen to the girls."

Venturing is a youth development program for young women and men who are 14 (and have completed the eighth grade) through 20 years old.

For more information on Venture Crew 615, go to www.wesleyumc.net/Scouts/crew615.htm.