The thrill of scaling a mountain, snowboarding down a snowy peak, or navigating a raft through rough water is an exhilarating thought for some. A new unit called a Venture Crew now offers members the chance to take part in these and other types of high adventure excursions. A new Venturing Crew 75, started by the Fuquay Varina American Legion Post #116, aims to fill the burning question of “What are YOU do this weekend?”

The Crew’s first open house is June 2 at 7 p.m. at the Fuquay Varina American Legion on 6400 Johnson Pond Road.

"We want the young adults involved to have a real big say in what they do," Carole Price, Crew 75Committee Chairman says, adding that the Crew is basically youth run, with adult guidance.

"It allows the young adults to go on these really terrific trips for a very low cost," Mrs. Price follows. "It's a neat program that can really be whatever the youth want."

Part of the Boy Scouts of America, the American Legion-sponsored Crew for males and females 13 to 20-years-old are open to those with or without previous Scouting experience. No matter if you are currently part of a Boy or Girl Scout Troop, the Crew experience is open to those youth who want to be challenged.

The Legion provides meeting space, but isn't actively involved in the Crew's operation, according to Matt Price, Advisor. The Venture Crew however pays back the American Legion through service projects, assistance with their fundraising activities, and assisting them with their vision in the communities.

The Venture Crew offers challenging activities for older teens as well as flexibility in how the programs are designed.

Venture Crew’s have to follow Boy Scout rules: sky diving isn't allowed, but there are other challenging activities for the youth to participate in. Not all of the activities are challenging – like Shooting Sports or Cosmic Bowling, but programs such as Climbing and Mountaineering, Scuba or how to cook really good barbeque can be exciting.

Currently, about 15 people, including several girls, have expressed interest in joining. The Crew would like to have about 25, which drives costs down further, but maximizes fun. Most of the youth choose high adventure because they enjoy the thrill of it. Without the challenge, it is no fun.

Aside from high adventure, the Venture Crew will offer participants leadership opportunities and community involvement. The Crew has plans to help local charities with their needs, such as holding food and clothing drives; Haunted Houses, and many other activities.

One such activity is to partner with a new Boy Scout Troop and teach them basic swimming skills, with a high adventure twist at Emerald Point Water Park. Setting their sites on several long distance trips, they are looking at some community fundraising activities such as a car wash.

In a world filled with television shows like Survivor, Deadliest Catch, and Man vs. Wild, and thrill-seeking activities such as bungee-jumping and sky-diving, what do you consider adventurous? Sky-diving? White-water rafting? Driving cross country without navigation assistance such as GPS or a map? Swimming with sharks?

How about traveling to a foreign land where you don’t know the language or customs, adopting farming as a new profession, and living off the land to survive? How about a canoe or whitewater trip finishing up with a tour of the Smithsonian? Or actually going to Disney just to have your picture taken on the Black Pearl Pirate Ship cheerfully screaming “Come join th' Crew.”

Just the kind of fun that answers the question: “What did you do this weekend?”