Boy Scouts to offer new co-ed program here Published Sept. 30, 2007 KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- The Kadena Aero Club and the Great Okinawa District, Boy Scouts of America are joining forces by forming Crew 1200, a new Venture Crew for boys and girls who have completed the 8th grade, 14 through 21 years of age. Venturing is the newest program in Boy Scouts and focuses on high-adventure activities for older boys, and what may be a surprise for a lot of folks, girls. The Venture program is almost 10 years old, and there have been several Venture Crews on Okinawa. Besides being a coed organization, Venturing differs from traditional Boy Scout units in that youth plan and run their activities, with the guidance of adult advisors. According to the BSA web site, www.scouting.org, Venturing revolves around a specific avocation or hobby interest, and what the Crew does is limited only by the involvement and imagination of the Crew members and their advisors. Venture Crew 1200 will allow members to focus on aviation-related activities. Depending upon the program developed by the members, they may take aviation ground-school classes and take orientation tours at aviation facilities on Okinawa. They could also make use of the simulators at the Aero Club, and in return will perform service projects for the club and their community. Marine Lt. Col. Rob Krieg, who is a naval flight officer and a certified flight instructor, along with his wife Amy, who is a certified pilot, will be the Crew Advisors. Scott Mase, the manager of the Kadena Aero Club, invites all youth who have completed the 8th grade and are between the ages of 14 to 21 who are interested in joining Crew 1200 to attend a kick-off meeting in conjunction with the Aero Club's October safety meeting Oct. 9 at 6 p.m. in the Schilling Recreation Center. Applications and information may also be obtained by contacting the Boy Scout Service Center on Plaza Housing or by calling 645-9236.