Leadership

Key 3

The Central Region Venturing leadership team is led by the Key 3.  The Key 3 includes the Central Region Venturing President (a Venturing youth member), the Central Region Venturing Chairman (an adult volunteer) and the Central Region Venturing Staff Advisor (an adult BSA professional staff member) Together the triumvirate guides, directs, and supports Venturing in the Central Region through a variety of methods.  The Key 3, in addition to other members of the Central Region Venturing Committee, supports the councils and crews to help meet the needs and interests of the Venturers and Advisors in the Central Region.  The Central Region Venturing President serves additionally on the National Venturing Cabinet and is one of the national officers for Venturing.

Christina Vogt is the 2013-2014 Central Region Venturing President. Christina is from the Greater St. Louis Area Council (GSLAC) and lives in Ballwin, MO. Her term of office will begin on June 1, 2013. Christina will be attending Lindenwood University in the fall majoring in Business Administration. Christina has served as the Central Region Venturing Vice President of Administration, Area 3 Venturing President, GSLAC VOA President, GSLAC Vice President of Administration, President and Vice President of Finance for Venturing Crew 2783, and New Horizons District Venturing President. She has earned the Outdoor, Religious Life, Arts & Hobbies, and Sports Bronze Awards; the Venturing Gold, Silver, TRUST, and Ranger Awards. She has completed all 4 levels of the P.R.A.Y. Religious Emblem Award Program. She is also currently working on her Girl Scout Gold Award. She has completed VLSC, ILSC, Kodiak, Kodiak X, Powder Horn, and NYLT. Christina served as a staff member for many of these leadership courses as well, including serving as a crew guide for the Venturing Pack and Paddle NYLT course for two summers.

Christina is a recipient of the Council and Area Venturing Leadership Awards. In the fall of 2011 she was inducted into Scouting’s National Youth Leadership Society becoming only the 35th Scout in the nation to be inducted into the society since its founding in 2009. Christina served as a co-trek leader for her Crew’s trek to Philmont when she was 14, and is attending Philmont once again this summer. She helped staff the centennial Scout Quest 100 in St. Louis, and the National Venturing Event in 2010. She was selected to sing the National Anthem at the opening of the BSA National Meetings in Orlando, FL in 2012.

In high school, Christina is involved in the Show Choir, is a cellist in the school orchestra, served as the goalie for the soccer team, serves as a mentor for middle school students, and is a member of the National Honor Society.

Christina’s goals for this year include helping all of the Area VOAs develop their Venturing training programs, creating an annual Central Region Venturing Event, promoting cooperation between the Area VOAs to share resources and knowledge, and further developing training and program resources within the Central Region.

The Regional Venturing Advisor is Mr. Keith Gehlhausen. Keith is from Buffalo Trace Council in Evansville, Indiana.  Keith has been involved in Scouting for over 30 years both as an adult and youth.  He has served at the unit level as a Venturing Crew Advisor, Sea Scout Ship Mate, Explorer Post Advisor, Varsity Team Coach, and Scoutmaster. At the council level, Keith has served as Council Venturing Chair, Council Advancement and Training Committee member, and course director for Wood Badge, Powder Horn, Kodiak, JLTC, and Leave No Trace Master Educator courses. At the regional/national level, he has served as Powder Horn CDC director, Seabadge staff member, and Philmont Training Center faculty.  He serves on National BSA task forces for the National Venturing Youth Cabinet, Educational Relationships, New Unit Growth, and Membership Development.  He previously served on the National Venturing Committee.  He also served on National Jamboree staff twice: Venturing Exhibit staff in 2005 and co-chair of the Youth Services Team in 2010.   Keith has been recognized with the Bronze Pelican, St. George, District Award of Merit, Silver Beaver, Silver Antelope, and Council, Regional, and National Venturing Leadership Awards.  He was also recognized in the 2008 Annual Report for the Boy Scouts of America: http://www.scouting.org/About/AnnualReports/PreviousYears/2008/06vol_central.aspx

The Regional Venturing Staff Advisor is Mr. Matt Thornton.