Venturing Crew

Venturing Crew is a youth development program of the Boy Scouts of America for young men and women who are 14 (and have completed the eighth grade) through 20 years of age. Bunker Park Stable's Venturing Crew is for those interested in learning more about horses and their care and sharing that knowledge with others. The kids plan and execute activities with the guidance of adult leaders, developing solid leadership and life skills along the way. For more information download the information form or contact our Charter Organization Head, Sarah, at (763) 757-9445.

 Scouting Badges

Girl Scout Badge

We are certified by the Girl Scout Council and our two hour program (held rain or shine) covers the requirements for the Horse Fan and Horse Rider badges. Our instructors are friendly and knowledgeable and will encourage interaction with the scouts. The first hour is spent in the barn for a hands-on discussion followed with another hour in the arena taking part in a structured riding lesson. Scouts must be at least 7 years old. We request a 5 person minimum to hold the program. If leaders wish to ride, the cost is $35.00/adult. Be sure to read the Troop Leader's Checklist at the bottom of the page.

The program will cover the following:

1. What is involved in the care of the horse? What kind of food does a horse eat? How do you care for a horse? How often is a horse shod and why?
2. Examine the tools used to groom a horse.   Learn the purpose and how to use the tools. Discover safe practices around horses.
3. Learn how to lead a horse.  Learn to mount and dismount, start, stop, steer, and ride at a walk and maybe progress to a trot.
4. Know safe riding rules, good riding manners, safe clothing, and gear for English or Western riding.
5. Learn the parts of a saddle and bridle.  Learn how to take care of tack.
6. Watch a horse being saddled and bridled.  Learn the use of each piece of tack.

We will teach the basics of proper posture, communication with a horse, and rhythm skills. Our first concern is always to teach control and safety. The scouts may learn to trot their horses, but that is left to the discretion of the instructor. We will not canter. If your troop has been through our basic Horse Scouting Badge program (covering Horse Fan Badge and Horse Rider Badge requirements) and is interested in learning the skills for a higher badge, a Cadette level badge is available. Please contact our office. It is the leaders' responsibility to obtain the badges from the Girl Scout Council store. Riding helmets (not bike helmets) are required and provided by the Council at no charge for all participants who will be around horses, including adults. Scout helmets are stored at our facility.

Boy Scout Badge
$48.00/person

Our BSA Certified Merit Badge Instructors will guide your scouts through the requirements for the Horsemanship Merit Badge in this three hour program.  The first two hours will be spent in a classroom setting covering the first ten requirements of the badge.  The last hour will be spent in the arena for a lesson covering the eleventh requirement. Our instructors may modify some of the requirements at their discretion to the ability level of the students; safety is our primary concern. Riding helmets are required and are provided by us at no additional charge. If leaders wish to ride the cost is $30/adult. It is the leaders' responsibility to obtain badges from the Scout Shop. Be sure to read the Troop Leader's Checklist at the bottom of the page.

The program will cover the following:

1) Do the following:
    A) Describe the safety precautions you should take when handling and caring for a horse.
    B) Explain and demonstrate how to approach and lead a horse safely from a stall, corral, or field and how to tie the horse securely.
    C) Demonstrate how to safely mount and ride a horse and how to safely dismount the                         horse after your ride. 
2) Name 15 main parts of a horse. 
3) Name four leading breeds of horses.  Explain the special features for which each breed is          known. 
4) Show how to care for a Western and English saddle and bridle.  Name 10 parts of the saddle and bridle that you will use. 
5) Show how to groom, pick out hooves, prepare a horse for a ride, and care for a horse after a ride. 
6) Describe the symptoms of colic.  Describe four other horse health problems.  
7) Name three main conformation faults of the feet and legs, and explain how to detect them.  Explain the difference between lameness and unsoundness. 
8) Explain how to trim and shoe a horse’s foot and how to make adjustments according to its conformation, the season of the year, and the riding conditions. 
9) Explain the correct way to feed a horse.  Explain how you determined what and how much to feed the horse and why the amount and kind of feed will be changed according to activity level and the kind of horse it is. 
10) Show how to saddle and bridle a horse. 
11) On level ground, continuously do the following movements.  Do them correctly, at ease, and in harmony with the horse:             

              A) Mount
              B) Walk horse in a straight line for 60 feet
              C) Make a half circle of not more than 16 feet in radius
              D) Trot or jog in a straight line for at least 60 feet*
              E) Make a half circle of not more than 30 feet in radius at a jog or trot
              F) Halt straight
              G) Back up straight four paces
              H) Halt and dismount

*At the discretion of the instructor.

Introduce the wonderful world of horses to your cub scouts, ages 7 and up, in an exciting two hour program at Bunker Park Stable. Designed as a stepping stone to the Horsemanship Merit Badge, the first hour will be spent in the barn with our knowledgeable instructors learning about horse safety, basic care, grooming and saddling. The second hour will be spent in the arena for a riding lesson focusing on the basics of safe mounting/dismounting, proper posture, and good communication and rhythm skills. This program is designed to be a stepping stone to the Boy Scout Horsemanship Merit Badge. Leaders should make registrations at least two weeks in advance. Registrations must be held with a credit card or $100 deposit.

Troop Leader’s Checklist

1. Make a reservation at LEAST two weeks in advance. Send in a deposit check or hold the reservation on a credit card.
2. Distribute liability waiver forms (permission slips) for parents to sign.
3. Call Bunker with your final numbers one week in advance.
4. You no longer have to contact your Scout Council to reserve helmets. (Riding helmets are required for all participants, including adults.) Helmets are supplied by the Girl Scout Council at no charge and are available at the stable. Boy Scout helmets are supplied by the stable, at no charge.
5. Inform participants of appropriate apparel (solid-soled shoes or boots and long pants; hat, gloves, and warm coats for winter rides).
6. Give parents detailed directions and instructions to arrive thirty minutes early and meet you.
7. For the day of the ride:
1. Be sure to arrive BEFORE your troop.
2. Gather permission slips and payment.
3. Check in at the office at least twenty minutes before the ride.
4. We need the total number of riders and payment balance in one lump sum (cash, check, or credit card).