My name is Steve Reddington- I am a resident of Des Plaines, IL, and a local Asst. Scoutmaster for Troop 160 for the Boy Scouts of America.

Recently with the Cub Scouts, ages 7 thru 12, I have noticed a steady decline in membership. Also with Boy Scouts, ages 12 through 21, I have seen boys become disinterested in Scouting and instead turn to other subjects, like sports, video games, and of course, girls. As a result, boys drop out of the Scouting program because they just don't get into camping and other outdoor activities like they used to. There are just too many other distractions.

I have been thinking "what could I do to develop a program that all boys (and even girls) would be into, that would also be use as a Scouting program?" The answer was simple- Music. Every teen I know has their own style of music they listen to, they all enjoy concerts, dances, and videos. A lot of teens play in their own bands. Music videos, created with experts in the fields of sound, video, and lighting, are what the kids are all watching on TV, their I Pods, and their phones.

So I started asking around to various companies if they had a program for young adults ages 13 through 21. Unfortunately, only college classes exist. That leaves a huge hole from the developing years of 13 through 18 when teens start college. No one is teaching sound, video, and lighting production!

Therefore, I am starting a Venturing program, with a music, video, sound and lighting production theme. Just think of this: boys who already play a musical instrument can join and play music. Those who don't can hang out and play the new game Rock Band, which is a successor to the highly successful Guitar Hero. Teens could get together and learn how to play music, albeit simple video music. Then if they are interested, I am trying to hook them up with a music school to give discounted music lessons.

The next step is to get them to learn video production, sound production, and lighting production. I have a company located in Des Plaines that does video editing- I have contacted Oakton Community College (OCC) to see if they have facilities that teach how to make and edit videos and sound. 

I have asked over 50 boys about this, and 100% have said they would be interested in learning either music, video production, sound production, or lighting techniques. If we can get a steady stream of boys interested in the above, this will ensure a steady stream of college-bound teens who will want to make this their college major, and/or their chosen profession.  

So far everyone, and I DO MEAN everyone, has told me this is a GREAT idea. The Boy Scouts have said this is one of the few programs that actually teaches the boys (and girls) something they can use when they get into the workplace. Parents should be interested because not only are we teaching them valuable skills, but we will be doing it under the guidance and support of the Boy Scouts of America,  

What this means, of course, is that we will be trying to show these kids that being a musician is not all about the bad influences like drugs, smoking, and drinking, but the music and the advantages of learning these skills that will allow them to succeed in life. All members of the Venture Crew 160 will be required to sign a contract that firmly states they will not be smoking, drinking, or using drugs at any time while they are members, or they will be removed from the Crew.

I have or will be contacting the following companies to ask their assistance in getting this program off the ground:

• Harmonix Music Systems- (Makers of Rock Band and Guitar Hero)
• Apple Computers- For their Garage Band software
• Jam Productions-
• Des Plaines theater- also Preservation Society for possible concerts
• Guitar Center- for assistance with music, sound and video equipment and lessons
• Oakton Community College- for production facilities
• Sound/Video Impressions- video editing classes
• Comcast- to develop a local access station to air live broadcasts
• Allstate Arena- to ask their assistance to have the teens see a band setup
• Comcast- for live video broadcasts of Battle of the Bands
• Metropolis Centre for the Performing Arts- Arlington Heights, IL
• Various recording studios to check out their facilities to see how music is mixed
• Open Mic nite venues- to see about doing live concerts at their locations

I have many more ideas, but until I get them organized, I don't want to let "the cat out of the bag"- but I can say that I am working on another phase of this program that may give whoever gets together with us NATIONAL media exposure.

• Video Production 101            Advanced Video Production
• Sound Production 101            Advanced Sound production
• Lighting Production 101         Advanced Lighting Production
• Blue Screen Technology        Audio/Video Post production
• Computerized Music/Video/Lighting techniques
• On Stage Presence
• How to manage a Rock Band
• How to run a Road Crew
• How to set up/tear dwon for a live show
• Cable TV/ Live show cable production 
• Special effects- video/live concerts 

This is a new project. We are starting from scratch. I have contacted many different companies for suggestions. We will need donations or help from individuals and/or companies willing to give their time to help the program succeed. Call it a mentoring program, call it an intern program, or whatever, but everyone out there know someone who could help and in the process get some needed publicity for their companies.  If you have any suggestions as to who I can contact and get additional instruction in the sound, video, and lighting arenas, I would be very grateful. 

We are looking for places to have Battle of the Bands. We need someone who knows someone at Comcast to produce concerts that may be aired on a local access cable program. We need instructors for sound, video, and lighting instruction. AND…. Most importantly- we need some additional adult leaders who want to pitch in and make this Venture Crew successful. We need a minimum of 5 boys and 3 adults to be on the original charter. We could also use a sponsor who wants to kick in a few bucks every year to help offset expenses. With any luck and a lot of help, we can become self-sustaining soon and take all the money we hopefully make from the Battle of the Bands events and roll it back into sound, video, and lighting.  

Lastly, of course, we need everyone reading this to talk about it with their friends ages 14 to 21, who may be interested in joining. We haven’t even decided on a membership fee, but Boy Scouts usually charge $40-$50 to get into their programs. These funds help to develop all Venturing programs, so the idea here is that if you join us for the music end, maybe we can get you to join us for a Scouting trip sometime to enjoy the great outdoors. I’m even thinking of how to organize a band or bands to play out in the woods somewhere at an official Boy Scout Camp where we can play outdoors and have a great time. Once again, under the control and guidance of the Boy Scouts. Every summer there is a huge Camporee in Rantoul, IL, and they get THOUSANDS of Scouts show up. There is a stage there that is hardly EVER used. How about us showing up this year and rocking the house? Sound pretty good? Outside concert, too!  

Everyone in the entire Chicagoland area is encouraged to join. As far as I can see from my initial investigation, there is NO OTHER Boy Scout Venture Crew that is teaching music ALOMG with the subjects of video, lighting, and sound production. This should be great fun learning all the cool tricks of putting on LIVE events! 

Give me a call, or if you know anyone who may be interested on helping develop this project, have them call me.

I look forward to hearing from everyone soon.

Steve Reddington
1stevered@comcast.net