“The Exploring program is a part of the Boy Scouts of America,” said Jason DiFranco, District Executive of the Exploring/Venturing Program, Northeast Georgia Council, BSA.
Exploring group at
Sugar Hill Animal HospitalIn an effort to identify the top career interests and hobbies of youth today, the Northeast Georgia Council compiles survey results obtained from students in the 8th – 11th grades. In turn, the council works with industry leaders in the community and partners participating students with the business that falls into their area of interest. The co-ed career development program is an ideal way for young adults to find their vocational passion.
There are a total of seventy participating organizations in the Gwinnett and Walton County district that range from healthcare to law enforcement, fire and EMS, to aviation, skilled trades, broadcast journalism, and acting. Entities, such as Gwinnett Medical Center, Sarahcare, Sugar Hill Animal Hospital, Gwinnett County Bar Association, The Aftertaste Catering and Event Planning, Lawrenceville, Lilburn, Snellville, Suwanee, and Gwinnett County Police Departments, Gwinnett Sheriff’s Department, Gwinnett-Braves, Clay’s Creative Academy, and even the Gwinnett Citizen newspaper, are training the next generation in a job of their dreams.
“Overall, it is a great program,” explains Lt. Ryan Morgan, Lawrenceville Police Department. “The Exploring post is a great tool to promote all kinds of careers to include law enforcement. It gives young adults the opportunity to see if this job is a calling for them.” Lt. Morgan recalled and counted off the number of participants who, over the years, have either gone on to pursue a job at the LPD or with another law enforcement agency, enrolled in the military, or have become a fire fighter. “These individuals are all a product of the Exploring program, becoming productive individuals who are serving their community.”
Law enforcement youth pay their respects to fallen heroThe Exploring/Venturing program offers a wide variety of services. “We are engaged in career development in the schools, offer scholarships, and provide liability insurance coverage for participating organizations through BSA and secondary insurance for the youth to offset unforeseen (Exploring-related) medical expenses. We offer opportunities for them to participate in all kinds of community service activities and leadership training. They also have the ability to network with industry leaders and other young adults from all over the area,” added DiFranco.
Currently, there are almost 2,000 youth involved in Exploring in this district alone and the program continues to expand and grow.
For more information about how to sign up for the Exploring Program, or if you are an organization interested in participating, contact Jason DiFranco at (770) 676-2846, or via email at: exploring.venturing@gmail.com.
To learn more about the Exploring program, visit: http://www.exploring.org.
To learn about the Boy Scouts of America, visit: http://www.scouting.org.
“Like” and follow them on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/EVNEGA
