The Boy Scouts of America and the Centre County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue have announced the launching of a new program for county youths designed to promote leadership and strengthen community ties.

The Venturing Crew 911, a coed program for young people 14 to 20 years old, will allow participants to structure their own bylaws, elect their own leaders and decide for themselves what activities they do.

Boy Scouts District Commissioner Ron Forsythe said participants must have completed the eighth grade to participate in the new program's activities.

The activities include SCUBA diving, hiking, camping, orienteering, jet-skiing, wall-climbing and just about anything else the participants would want to do.

The first meeting is to take place at 6 p.m. tomorrow in the State College Municipal Building, 243 S. Allen St. Memberships cost $11 per year.

Tony Ghaffari, who is serving as liaison between the Sheriff's Office and the Boy Scouts, said other program activities could include ride-alongs with police, fire crews and other emergency personnel.

Ghaffari said the program is looking for volunteer adult advisers with backgrounds in law enforcement, fire rescue and emergency medical services.

The program will strengthen the ties between young people, law enforcement and the community, he said.

"A lot of times the only experience kids have with law enforcement is when they're in trouble," Ghaffari said. "This program will provide a chance for a positive experience."

Forsythe said the Crew will fulfill the social, leadership and community aspirations of the county's youth, as well as provide a resource for career exploration.

Participants will also be eligible for educational scholarships, he said.

Forsythe said the first meeting of the Venturing Crew 911 will be dedicated to electing officers as well as deciding the roles of the adult advisers.

He added more Venturing Crews are in the works in the county, which has 44 Boy Scout units.

He said the interests of the crews vary from drama to caving.

"Some crews like high adventure, and other crews like fishing and hunting," Forsythe said.