Trail Life USA is committed to the health, welfare, and safety of our youth, volunteers, and staff. We aim to provide challenging, adventurous, and fun activities in a manner that no injuries occur beyond those that are readily treatable by simple first aid.
Societal shifts and challenges will require the increased demonstration of Christlike character and courage by both adult and youth members as they stand for the timeless values articulated in the Trail Life USA Statements of Faith and Values, which originate from Scripture. With this cultural pressure in mind, we will continually commit ourselves to biblical truths that we are to fear God and not man and that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and understanding.
While women can serve in a number of roles in the organization, Trail Life USA is focused on turning boys into godly men. Our firm conviction is that this can only be done by allowing a boy the opportunity to be mentored by Christian men. All direct contact positions, other than in the Woodlands Trail unit, are filled by men.
Trail Life USA is boy-focused and encourages Troops to protect the male-focused emphasis in camping and adventure activities. We also recognize the family as the primary building block of society. In order to facilitate this, fathers are encouraged to participate with their sons, and Charter Organizations are encouraged to create a “family-centered” youth-enrichment experience where on one night, in one location, boys and their dads can participate in Trail Life USA, and girls and their moms can be involved with American Heritage Girls. There are many obvious strengths to this model, and those who are able to experience it will discover lasting impact and accelerated spiritual growth for every member of the family.
Trail Life USA is operated and supported by volunteers at every level. Troop leaders utilize levels of support through Area and Regional volunteer committees. By design, Home Office staff will be kept to a minimum. This is not only good stewardship, it also allows the members to fully invest their passion, skill, and expertise.
The flexibility principle behind our program elements allows local Troops to adapt the program to fit the needs and teachings of their Charter Organization. Mission-critical and foundational program elements are unyielding and mandatory, but there is sufficient flexibility to fit the needs, culture, and faith traditions of the local Troop and Charter Organization.