WHAT IS TRAIL LIFE?Adventure > Character > Leadership
|
Trail Life USA is a Church-Based, Christ-Centered, Boy-Focused mentoring and discipleship journey that speaks to the heart of a boy. With over 40,000 boys engaged in more than 1,100 Troops nationwide, male mentors guide boys through a character-building experience from Kindergarten to 12th grade. Established on timeless values derived from the Bible and set in the context of outdoor adventure, our objective is to help boys grow in character, understand their purpose, serve their community, and develop practical leadership skills to carry out the mission for which they were created.
Adventure is at the heart of the Trail Life USA program. Acknowledging boys’ love for hiking, camping, fishing, tree-climbing, story-telling, and s’mores around campfires, weekly meetings are held outside whenever possible and are designed to delight the raucous, rowdy, unruly nature of a boy. Trailmen engage in hands-on experiences that develop character, deepen faith, and hone practical skills.
Click here for Trail Life USA and its Proven Process for Growing Boys into Godly Men and Trail Life USA’s Six Essential Concepts of a Christian Worldview
Adventure is at the heart of the Trail Life USA program. Acknowledging boys’ love for hiking, camping, fishing, tree-climbing, story-telling, and s’mores around campfires, weekly meetings are held outside whenever possible and are designed to delight the raucous, rowdy, unruly nature of a boy. Trailmen engage in hands-on experiences that develop character, deepen faith, and hone practical skills.
Click here for Trail Life USA and its Proven Process for Growing Boys into Godly Men and Trail Life USA’s Six Essential Concepts of a Christian Worldview
TROOP PATROLS
The Troop has three patrols (Elementary, Middle, High School) for the Trailmen to be together for Opening Ceremonies and break out for age appropriate lessons and activities.
The Troop has three patrols (Elementary, Middle, High School) for the Trailmen to be together for Opening Ceremonies and break out for age appropriate lessons and activities.
Boys on the Woodlands Trail (age 5-10) gain knowledge about outdoor skills, citizenship, character, friendship, and faith through fun activities, awards, and skill instruction.
As Navigators, boys age 11-13 gain understanding of their values and beliefs under the guidance of godly male role models through being responsible in outdoor adventures and in their home and school life. They explore areas of interest and earn Trail Badges for advancement.
As Adventurers, young men ages 14-17 mature in wisdom and faith through more difficult challenges and leadership activities with Christian men walking alongside. They plan and lead outdoor events and large projects while exercising leadership positions in the Troop, even mentoring some of the younger Trailmen.
As Navigators, boys age 11-13 gain understanding of their values and beliefs under the guidance of godly male role models through being responsible in outdoor adventures and in their home and school life. They explore areas of interest and earn Trail Badges for advancement.
As Adventurers, young men ages 14-17 mature in wisdom and faith through more difficult challenges and leadership activities with Christian men walking alongside. They plan and lead outdoor events and large projects while exercising leadership positions in the Troop, even mentoring some of the younger Trailmen.
Program eligibility is determined based on age and grade level measured as of October 31 of each year.
WOODLANDS
Adventure is at the heart of the Trail Life USA program. Boys love hiking, camping, fishing, tree-climbing, story-telling, and s'mores around campfires. Weekly meetings are designed with that in mind. Held outside whenever possible, meetings are designed to delight the raucous, rowdy, unruly nature of a boy. Trailmen engage in hands-on experiences that develop character, deepen faith, and hone practical skills in the seven program branches (Outdoor Skills, Life Skills, Heritage, Hobbies, Values, Science & Technology, and Sports & Fitness).
Boys also love stickers, patches, pins, and awards. Each week as boys meet in their patrols, they work on a Branch Step as part of a planned meeting or a "Hit the Trail!" adventure. As Branches are completed, pins are added to the Branch Patch. Each branch builds the structure of the Branch Patch boys wear on their uniform. In each patrol level, when all seven Branches are complete, boys earn The Forest Award.
Along the trail boys engage with older boys in the Troop and with mentors who are vetted by church leadership, background checked, and must complete extensive Child Safety and Youth Protection Training.
During the last year in Woodlands Trail, a Mountain Lion can earn the prestigious Timberline Award. The Timberline Award is the highest award in the Woodlands Trail program and, once earned, becomes a permanent part of the Trail Life Uniform. It was developed to celebrate a boy's entrance into the new world of the Trail Life USA Navigators program. In many Troops, the Timberline Award is presented as part of a meaningful bridging ceremony when Trailmen move from the Woodlands Trail program to the Navigators and Adventurers uniform.
The Worthy Life Award is an integral part of the overall Trail Life discipleship process in the Woodlands Trail, Navigators, and Adventurers programs. For a Trailman to earn the Timberline Award or the Freedom Award, he must complete the requirements for the Worthy Life Award. At each level, this distinction requires that a boy complete activities in four categories:
Devotional - Engaging with spiritual truth in a regular transformative manner.
At the Woodlands Trail level, Worthy Life involves intentional mentoring, hands-on activities, and practical applications that involve parents and Troop mentors to help a boy gain knowledge of fundamental truths.
NAVIGATORS AND ADVENTURERS
For older boys in the Navigators and the Adventurers programs, focus moves from creating foundational knowledge to helping internalize his faith, integrate it as his worldview, live with integrity, share with intentionality, and use his spiritual gifts to impact others through service.
The Trail Life USA advancement program is distinct for many reasons. First and foremost, it is designed to honor biblical values in every aspect of the program. Trail Life USA is not just an outdoor program that incorporates a Christian experience. Trail Life is at its core a Christ-centered program that utilizes the outdoors to draw boys and their families into a closer relationship with their creator.
A Christian worldview is integrated into every part of the program because it is critical to both our mission and vision as well as to the spiritual growth of every Trailman who commits himself to the values we uphold. In the Navigators and Adventurers programs, the Branches from the Woodlands Trail program become Frontiers to be explored as Trailmen continue along the trail.
The Freedom Award is the highest award in Trail Life USA. It is an achievement accomplished by the few who reach the apex of the Trail Life Program. Earning the award requires a demonstrated mastery of a significant skill set including 15 required and 10 elective Trail Badges, performing 20 hours of servant service each year, and the distinction of having proven himself as a leader among his peers. He must also complete four "Freedom Experiences" in 3 separate chosen fields; complete a Faith Building Activity; budget, plan, and lead a volunteer team to complete a Servant Leadership Project; and complete an advancement conference and formal Freedom Board of Review.
On the Trail to Freedom, one of the most meaningful ways Trailmen come to understand their gifting is through serving. Service in the church and the community is a significant part of the Trail Life program. Outdoor adventure provides fertile ground for relationships to be fostered. As relationships grow, young men begin to learn skills and serve alongside their adult mentors. As Trailmen serve, they begin to find purpose and fulfillment. As Trailmen understand they were created by God for his glory, to be his hands and feet to others, they find fulfillment in service and begin to understand their gifting. As they use their gifts, they hone in on career and ministry paths that will set the tone for the rest of their life.
Adventure is at the heart of the Trail Life USA program. Boys love hiking, camping, fishing, tree-climbing, story-telling, and s'mores around campfires. Weekly meetings are designed with that in mind. Held outside whenever possible, meetings are designed to delight the raucous, rowdy, unruly nature of a boy. Trailmen engage in hands-on experiences that develop character, deepen faith, and hone practical skills in the seven program branches (Outdoor Skills, Life Skills, Heritage, Hobbies, Values, Science & Technology, and Sports & Fitness).
Boys also love stickers, patches, pins, and awards. Each week as boys meet in their patrols, they work on a Branch Step as part of a planned meeting or a "Hit the Trail!" adventure. As Branches are completed, pins are added to the Branch Patch. Each branch builds the structure of the Branch Patch boys wear on their uniform. In each patrol level, when all seven Branches are complete, boys earn The Forest Award.
Along the trail boys engage with older boys in the Troop and with mentors who are vetted by church leadership, background checked, and must complete extensive Child Safety and Youth Protection Training.
During the last year in Woodlands Trail, a Mountain Lion can earn the prestigious Timberline Award. The Timberline Award is the highest award in the Woodlands Trail program and, once earned, becomes a permanent part of the Trail Life Uniform. It was developed to celebrate a boy's entrance into the new world of the Trail Life USA Navigators program. In many Troops, the Timberline Award is presented as part of a meaningful bridging ceremony when Trailmen move from the Woodlands Trail program to the Navigators and Adventurers uniform.
The Worthy Life Award is an integral part of the overall Trail Life discipleship process in the Woodlands Trail, Navigators, and Adventurers programs. For a Trailman to earn the Timberline Award or the Freedom Award, he must complete the requirements for the Worthy Life Award. At each level, this distinction requires that a boy complete activities in four categories:
Devotional - Engaging with spiritual truth in a regular transformative manner.
- Discipleship - Living your faith through service and learning about how others have done so.
- Discipline - Practicing intentional activities that result in spiritual growth like regular prayer, fasting, journaling, memorizing Scripture, attending church services, giving, and serving.
- Demonstration - Evaluating and sharing Worthy Life experiences with parents, Troop, and/or church.
At the Woodlands Trail level, Worthy Life involves intentional mentoring, hands-on activities, and practical applications that involve parents and Troop mentors to help a boy gain knowledge of fundamental truths.
NAVIGATORS AND ADVENTURERS
For older boys in the Navigators and the Adventurers programs, focus moves from creating foundational knowledge to helping internalize his faith, integrate it as his worldview, live with integrity, share with intentionality, and use his spiritual gifts to impact others through service.
The Trail Life USA advancement program is distinct for many reasons. First and foremost, it is designed to honor biblical values in every aspect of the program. Trail Life USA is not just an outdoor program that incorporates a Christian experience. Trail Life is at its core a Christ-centered program that utilizes the outdoors to draw boys and their families into a closer relationship with their creator.
A Christian worldview is integrated into every part of the program because it is critical to both our mission and vision as well as to the spiritual growth of every Trailman who commits himself to the values we uphold. In the Navigators and Adventurers programs, the Branches from the Woodlands Trail program become Frontiers to be explored as Trailmen continue along the trail.
The Freedom Award is the highest award in Trail Life USA. It is an achievement accomplished by the few who reach the apex of the Trail Life Program. Earning the award requires a demonstrated mastery of a significant skill set including 15 required and 10 elective Trail Badges, performing 20 hours of servant service each year, and the distinction of having proven himself as a leader among his peers. He must also complete four "Freedom Experiences" in 3 separate chosen fields; complete a Faith Building Activity; budget, plan, and lead a volunteer team to complete a Servant Leadership Project; and complete an advancement conference and formal Freedom Board of Review.
On the Trail to Freedom, one of the most meaningful ways Trailmen come to understand their gifting is through serving. Service in the church and the community is a significant part of the Trail Life program. Outdoor adventure provides fertile ground for relationships to be fostered. As relationships grow, young men begin to learn skills and serve alongside their adult mentors. As Trailmen serve, they begin to find purpose and fulfillment. As Trailmen understand they were created by God for his glory, to be his hands and feet to others, they find fulfillment in service and begin to understand their gifting. As they use their gifts, they hone in on career and ministry paths that will set the tone for the rest of their life.
To get a fuller understanding of the program, please read the Trailman Handbook, and complete the Peak 1 Training provided by TrailLife University on the TrailLifeConnect.com once registered.
Our Oath
Trail Life Distinctives
VISIONOur vision is to be the premier national character development organization for young men which produces godly and responsible husbands, fathers, and citizens.
|
MISSIONOur mission is to guide generations of courageous young men to honor God, lead with integrity, serve others, and experience outdoor adventure.
|
MOTTO“Walk Worthy”
Colossians 1:10 “… that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;… |
Statement of Faith
We believe there is One Triune God—God the Father; Jesus Christ, His one and only Son; and the Holy Spirit, Creator of the universe and eternally existent. We believe the Holy Scriptures (Old and New Testaments) to be the inspired and authoritative Word of God. We believe each person is created in His image for the purpose of communing with and worshiping God. We believe in the ministry of the Holy Spirit, Who enables us to live godly lives. We believe each of us is called to love the Lord our God with all of our heart, mind, soul, and strength, and to love our neighbors as ourselves. We believe God calls us to lives of purity, service, stewardship, and integrity.
Our CA-1321 is a Charter supported by Orchard Church. All Trail Life USA troops are considered ministries of their charter organization; therefore, Troop CA-1321 is a ministry of Orchard Church.
Our CA-1321 is a Charter supported by Orchard Church. All Trail Life USA troops are considered ministries of their charter organization; therefore, Troop CA-1321 is a ministry of Orchard Church.
Statement of Values
Purity: God calls us to lives of holiness, being pure of heart, mind, word, and deed. We are to reserve sexual activity for the sanctity of marriage, a lifelong commitment before God between a man and a woman.
Service: God calls us to become responsible members of our community and the world through selfless acts that contribute to the welfare of others.
Stewardship: God calls us to use our God-given time, talents, and money wisely.
Integrity: God calls us to live moral lives that demonstrate an inward motivation to do what is biblically right regardless of the cost.
Service: God calls us to become responsible members of our community and the world through selfless acts that contribute to the welfare of others.
Stewardship: God calls us to use our God-given time, talents, and money wisely.
Integrity: God calls us to live moral lives that demonstrate an inward motivation to do what is biblically right regardless of the cost.
Trail Life USA partners with churches and parents across America as the premier national character development organization for young men which produces generations of godly and responsible husbands, fathers, and citizens. We are, at our core, a ministry that recognizes opportunities that exist in the outdoors that will help turn boys into godly men. Experiencing challenges through Trail Life USA means boys step outside their comfort zones, test their limits, and develop skills like resilience, problem-solving, and teamwork. These are all traits that help boys grow into strong, independent, and dependable men. Outdoor adventures are a breeding ground for character development. Whether it’s learning to respect nature, showing kindness to others in the Troop, or practicing gratitude for the beauty around them, boys learn important virtues that are essential for living a godly life. When boys are given the opportunity to lead and take responsibility, they grow in confidence, communication, and compassion—all qualities that are crucial for a godly man.