Who is Ventures Winter Guard
About UsVentures Winter Guard is a Non-Profit Colour Guard Organization based in Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. Winter colour guard is a fun and challenging performance art for individuals aged 8 to 21 who want to grow as artists and athletes.
Ventures provides a platform for artistic expression, sport, leadership, and lasting friendships. |
Our MissionOne Team, One Journey. Ventures is committed to the personal, societal, and artistic learning of each participant. Our mission is to learn, grow, lead, and excel together. |
History
The Ventures Drum & Bugle Corps was formed in the fall of 1972 by the late Peter Vanderkolff. The chief of police at the time asked him to establish a youth activity for young ladies in the Waterloo Region. The first uniform of The Ventures was a gold dress causing the corps to become affectionately known as "The Ladies in Gold". The name held a special meaning for each member who wore that uniform and a definition respected by all. It also became part of The Ventures motto which remains part of today's organization and since has been transformed to “Ladies and Gentleman of Gold”. Since the first season more than 3,000 young people have experienced the joys of belonging to our program. Although the uniform has changed many times over the years, the dedication, desire, spirit and pride retains The Ventures as a unique and sough-after youth activity.
Venture members traveled extensively over the years with stops in Washington, Miami, New York City and even Japan! The Ventures Drum & Bugle Corps operated as a competitive unit for 22 years achieving numerous awards including FIVE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS! The corps was heralded as a trend-setter and one of the most respected units of it’s time.
In 1981 a feeder/training unit for the corps began in the form of a baton corps. Within two years the baton unit evolved into a winter colour guard program for girls between the ages of 8 and 12. This "junior guard" program proved highly successful both competitively as well as graduating many members into the drum corps.
Change came in January of 1995 with the heartbreaking decision to take The Ventures Drum & Bugle Corps out of competition but to continue the operation of the organization as a winter guard enterprise.
Ventures Winter Guard 1995-Present
Ventures Winter Guards have had different offerings of Program available to youth as young as 6 years old and as old as 21 years old. We have gradually progressed through the classes including the highest class known in our sport as World Class. The members have traveled to such destinations as New York City, Tampa Bay, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Boston, Philadelphia and San Diego. As membership changes so do our programs.
Some of the most exciting Programs we have offered through Ventures have included:
ABBA – (2004), Piece of My Heart – (2006), Shrek (2003), Missed Encounters (2007), Stop and Smell the Roses (2010), Just Smile (2012), UP (2014), Suddenly I See (2007)
Ventures had an amazing opportunity to pair with Canadian Singer Nelly Furtado to create a show and participate in Contemporary Colour through the Luminato Festival where they performed in Toronto and New York City in 2015. Take a look at the behind the scenes footage to see how the Ventures team prepared for the event!
In Canada and the USA, Ventures Winter Guard is known and highly respected for their sportsmanship, entertaining shows and performances.
Today, Ventures is focused on engaging youth community members to join us in continuing on our Legacy as the Ventures. We will continue to build friendships, musical education, dance experience, engage in physical activity through the performing arts, travel, compete and showcase our hard work and dedication in fun-filled show themes of The Ventures.
We invite you to learn more about us and join us to be a part of our youth program.
Venture members traveled extensively over the years with stops in Washington, Miami, New York City and even Japan! The Ventures Drum & Bugle Corps operated as a competitive unit for 22 years achieving numerous awards including FIVE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS! The corps was heralded as a trend-setter and one of the most respected units of it’s time.
In 1981 a feeder/training unit for the corps began in the form of a baton corps. Within two years the baton unit evolved into a winter colour guard program for girls between the ages of 8 and 12. This "junior guard" program proved highly successful both competitively as well as graduating many members into the drum corps.
Change came in January of 1995 with the heartbreaking decision to take The Ventures Drum & Bugle Corps out of competition but to continue the operation of the organization as a winter guard enterprise.
Ventures Winter Guard 1995-Present
Ventures Winter Guards have had different offerings of Program available to youth as young as 6 years old and as old as 21 years old. We have gradually progressed through the classes including the highest class known in our sport as World Class. The members have traveled to such destinations as New York City, Tampa Bay, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Boston, Philadelphia and San Diego. As membership changes so do our programs.
Some of the most exciting Programs we have offered through Ventures have included:
ABBA – (2004), Piece of My Heart – (2006), Shrek (2003), Missed Encounters (2007), Stop and Smell the Roses (2010), Just Smile (2012), UP (2014), Suddenly I See (2007)
Ventures had an amazing opportunity to pair with Canadian Singer Nelly Furtado to create a show and participate in Contemporary Colour through the Luminato Festival where they performed in Toronto and New York City in 2015. Take a look at the behind the scenes footage to see how the Ventures team prepared for the event!
In Canada and the USA, Ventures Winter Guard is known and highly respected for their sportsmanship, entertaining shows and performances.
Today, Ventures is focused on engaging youth community members to join us in continuing on our Legacy as the Ventures. We will continue to build friendships, musical education, dance experience, engage in physical activity through the performing arts, travel, compete and showcase our hard work and dedication in fun-filled show themes of The Ventures.
We invite you to learn more about us and join us to be a part of our youth program.
Board of Directors
Natasha GonzalezNatasha is a Winter Guard Alumni 2007-2012
Since being a part of The Ventures as a member she has progressed to an instructor for the Cadet Guard and presently is in her third year of being on the Board of Directors for Ventures. Natasha occasionally will support practices for the Guards, she loves chatting and encourages you to say "hi" when you see her! She has attended the University of Waterloo and University of Toronto and is a Registered Social Worker, working in the Autism Field with children and youth. |
Arielle OueletteArielle is a Winter Guard Alumni, marching years of 2001-2008 and 2010 (but an honorary tiny mascot during her toddlerhood), a cast member of Contemporary Color with the Ventures in 2015, and an instructor for the Ventures Cadet Guard in 2012 and 2018.
Arielle has also been a part of St. John's Drum and Bugle corps, Dutch Boy Drum and Bugle Corps, Magic of Scouthouse Winter Guard, and was an instructor with Dream Seekers Special Needs Colourguard. |
Lori McDonaldLori was introduced to colourguard when her niece began marching in 2016 and then began her involvement in 2018 when her daughter joined the Ventures Cadets Guard. Lori joined the Board of Directors and assumed the Treasurer role in 2020. Lori's passion comes from watching guard members grow and learn valuable life skills such as team building, timeliness, value of hard work and being a role model.
Lori is a Certified Professional Accountant with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, currently working as a Financial Analyst. |
Bruce Witmer!Bruce Witmer has joined the Board this past year and has a long history in the Drum Corps world.
We are excited to have him along for the ride. |
Shannon VonaShannon is a proud parent of an Alumni Ventures Member and has her own history marching with the Kiwanis Caviler's Drum Corps!
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Tracey SandersTracey marched Ventures 1984-1991, and acted as Director of Winter Guard from 1993 to 1999.
In an effort to continue supporting the Ventures, Tracey joined the board in 2019. |
Jacquie RenaudJacquie has been involved in the Ventures Organization for 38 years as a marching member, instructional team member of both the drum & bugle corps and winter guards and Director for 22 years. She feels blessed to have been a young member when Peter Vanderkolff (founder) was directing the corps and experienced first hand his vision and expectations of the Ventures.
Jacquie has enjoyed seeing 2nd and 3rd generation Ventures come through our ranks many of who return to become volunteers, board members and teaching staff. |
Larissa RobertsLarissa is a proud Ventures All Girl Drum and Bugle Corps alumni who was an active member from 1985-1993.
Larissa joined the Board of Directors in 2018 and has been an active member since, including acting as Chair for the 50th Alumni Reunion Committee. |
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