A new educational stage designed specifically for teenagers marks a milestone in Venezuelan Scouting
Teenagers in Venezuela will now have a Scout space designed especially for them. The Venezuelan Scout Association (ASV) took a historic step this weekend with the First leadership training workshop for the Caminantes Unit, an initiative that promises to revolutionise how young people aged 15 to 17 experience Scouting.
This new unit emerges as a direct response to the specific needs of teenagers, an age group that requires differentiated educational approaches recognising their particular characteristics, interests, and challenges. "Young people of this age need a programme that speaks their language and understands their concerns," explains the organisation.
A Project Designed by and for Young People
The creation of the Caminantes Unit is no coincidence. During the process of updating the Educational Proposal and the Youth Programme Proposal of the ASV, the teenagers themselves and their leaders identified a gap: there was no space specifically addressing the unique characteristics of this life stage.
The Caminantes represent far more than a new age-based division. This unit recognises that adolescents are in a crucial phase of identity construction, decision-making, and autonomy development—aspects requiring methodologies and activities specifically designed to enhance their personal and social growth.
Training Those Who Will Train Others
The inaugural workshop focused on preparing the adult leaders who will accompany these young people in their new Scout adventure. These leaders become facilitators of meaningful experiences, guiding Caminantes in developing life skills whilst maintaining the spirit of adventure and service that characterises the Scout movement.
Training adult leaders is fundamental, as working with adolescents requires specific tools, understanding of their developmental processes, and the ability to create environments where they can explore, experiment, and grow safely.
The implementation of the Caminantes Unit in Venezuela not only benefits local young people but also serves as a reference for other National Scout Organisations (NSOs) seeking to modernise and diversify their educational offerings.
This updating process demonstrates how youth organisations can evolve to remain relevant and effective in a constantly changing world, always maintaining their foundational values whilst adapting to contemporary realities.