# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2019_S320
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

320

II. THEOLOGICAL DOCUMENTS­­—COMMISSION ON THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS
Trail Life USA
Observations, Questions, and Concerns: For Use by LCMS Scouting Task Force
CTCR—February 2017

History, Organization, and Beliefs

Trail Life USA describes itself as “an unapologetically Christian organization,” and “its leaders
sign and adhere to a Trinitarian Christian Statement of Faith and Values as part of their
membership application. Youth members, though not required to accept Christianity, are
expected to adhere to Christian standards of behavior.” 7
Organization

Identity
Trail Life USA (TLUSA) is a Christian adventure, character, and leadership movement for
young men. Its K-12 program centers on outdoor experiences to build a young man’s skills and
“allow him to grow on a personal level and as a role model and leader for his peers.” The motto
for TLUSA participants (called trailmen), taken from Colossians 1:10, is “Walk Worthy.” 1
History
In May of 2013, the Boy Scouts of America (BSA), changed their policies to allow openly
gay youth into membership. An existing organization called On My Honor, which opposed the
promotion of homosexuality and political agendas in scouting, created a new adventure and
leadership program for young men. 2 In June of 2013, a coalition of leaders in Louisville,
Kentucky, established Trail Life USA. “Our whole life is about the trail, both in the outdoors and
in the journey of life as believers," said Orlando, Florida, lawyer John Stemberger, TLUSA
chairman of the board and founder of On My Honor. “So Trail Life is a way of life that is
centered on following Christ in the outdoors.” 3 In July and August of 2013, the initial Board of
Directors planned the Trail Life USA organization and program infrastructure.
In September of 2013, Trail Life USA held its first convention in Nashville, Tennessee, with
the theme of “Honoring the Legacy … Raising the Standard.” Representing 44 states, more than
1,200 Scoutmasters, Eagle Scouts, parents, and church leaders attended the convention. 4 The
nationwide program rollout for Trail Life USA took place in 2014. Within the first year after its
initial convention, TLUSA had 450 troops with 14,000 members in 47 states, with nearly 300
more troops in the chartering process. 5 For girls interested in a similar Christian leadership
program, TLUSA recommends its sister program, the American Heritage Girls. 6
1

http://www.traillifeusa.com/who-we-are.
Design 4 Marketing, February 10, 2014, at http://design4.org/228.
Ed Payne, “Trail Life USA Launches a Boy Scout Alternative,” CNN, September 9, 2013, at
http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/09/us/trail-life-usa-meeting.
4
“OnMyHonor.Net Coalition Announces Launch of ‘Trail Life USA,’ the New Christian Alternative to the Boy
Scouts of America, The Frederick Douglass Foundation Community Blog, September 10, 2013, at
http://tfdf.org/blog/2013/09/10/onmyhonor-net-coalition-announces-launch-of-trail-life-usa-the-new-christianalternative-to-the-boy-scouts-of-america.
5
Cheryl Wetzstein, The Washington Times, September 8, 2014, at
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/sep/8/alternative-to-boy-scouts-sees-big-gains-in-first-/?page=all.
6
Frequently Asked Questions, Trail Life USA website, at
http://www.traillifeusa.com/faqtab/questions/generalquestions/#ahg. Information on the American Heritage Girls
program is available at http://www.americanheritagegirls.org.
2
3

Trail Life USA is a 501(c)(3) “public charity” non-profit corporation. Contributions to
TLUSA are deductible under section 170 of the IRS Code. TLUSA provides accident and
liability insurance for registered youth and adults participating in TLUSA activities. The
Alliance Defending Freedom legal organization has pledged to defend TLUSA and its Charter
Organizations in any challenges to membership or staff employment policies.
Each TLUSA Troop is an active ministry of a Charter Organization, for example, a church,
school, Christian camp, or home school association. Each Charter Organization oversees its own
program and emphasizes its denomination’s customs and theology in Troop meetings and
activities. All Charter Organizations must accept the basic tenets of Trinitarian Christian doctrine
and agree with the TLUSA Statement of Faith and Values. 8 The Charter Organization is
responsible for selecting appropriate Troop leaders. The Charter Organization’s representative is
a voting member on matters of national importance to TLUSA.
TLUSA will respect the aims and objectives of the Charter Organization and make training,
service and program materials, as well as methods for selecting quality unit leaders, available to
the Charter Organization.
Membership
According to TLUSA membership policies, youth membership in Trail Life USA “is open to
all who meet the membership requirements, and is currently designed for biologically male
children under the age of 18. The adult applicants must be at least 18 years old and subscribe to
and abide by the TLUSA Statement of Christian Faith and Values as well as the Oath and Motto
of the program.” 9 All boys are welcome irrespective of religion, race, national origin or socioeconomic status. TLUSA states that its youth members are not required to accept Christianity but
“are expected to adhere to Christian standards of behavior.” 10 Troop membership is not limited
to youth of the Charter Organization’s denomination. The Charter Organization “determines
which youth it desires to have participate in its Troop and therefore may impose requirements in
addition to Trail Life USA’s Membership Standards, making them more restrictive.” 11
.

7

Trail Life USA, “Faith Building Options Quick Reference Guide,” 1.
http://www.traillifeusa.com/faqtab/questions/charter-organizations.
http://www.traillifeusa.com/who-we-are/values/membership-standards. This particular rule concerning adult
applicants does not state if their role is that of Guidon members or Troop leaders.
10
Trail Life USA “Faith Building Options Quick Reference Guide,” 1.
11
http://www.traillifeusa.com/faqtab/questions/membership.
8
9

2

The TLUSA membership standards state: “The basis for the program’s ethical and moral
standards is found in the Bible. In terms of sexual identification and behavior, we affirm that any
sexual activity outside the context of the covenant of marriage between one man and one woman
is sinful before God and therefore inconsistent with the values and principles of the program.
Within these limits, we grant membership to adults and youth who do not engage in or promote
sexual immorality of any kind, or engage in behavior that would become a distraction to the
mission of the program.” 12
The youth programs or ranks are arranged according to age and grade level:
Foxes: Kindergarten and at least 5 years old by October 31.
Hawks: Second Grade and at least 7 years old by October 31.
Mountain Lions: Fourth Grade and at least 9 years old by October 31.
Navigators: Sixth Grade and at least 11 years old by October 31.
Adventurers: Ninth Grade and at least 14 years old by October 31, till the 18th birthday.
Guidon Unit: young adults, male and female, ages 18–25 years old. 13
TLUSA participants advance in rank through a system of awards and Trail Badges. Existing
Boy Scouts of America (BSA) ranks, awards, merit badges, and training are transferable to the
Trail Life USA program. Scouts working on their Eagle award will be able to transfer to the
TLUSA “Trail to Freedom,” and any work already completed in the Eagle program will be
recognized. Scouts and leaders who already have the rank of Eagle Scout will have the
opportunity to serve in TLUSA and earn its premier “Freedom Award.” 14 Young men from age 5
through 25 may participate in Trail Life USA programs. American Heritage Girls may also
participate in Trail Life’s co-ed Guidon program for 18–25 year olds. 15
Trailmen at all age levels may earn awards and badges for a variety of faith-based
achievements. Younger trailmen, for example, learn about the basic teachings of the Christian
faith. Older trailmen participate in programs of Bible study and faith mentorship. The Timberline
Award (for trailmen in kindergarten through fifth grade) encourages boys to live according to
four principles: to live boldly and avoid being passive; to live responsibly; to lead courageously;
and to live for the greater rewards of God.” 16 The Vanguard Program (for high school age
trailmen) seeks to create “a culture and a cadre of elite young men who are on fire for Jesus
Christ, who are excellent leaders, and who are passionate about serving God through Trail Life

12

http://www.traillifeusa.com/who-we-are/values/membership-standards.
http://www.traillifeusa.com/faqtab/questions/membership.
When speaking of the BSA and its programs, Trail Life USA members are encouraged to be “truthful, accurate,
and factual” and to speak in a way “that honors the memory, contribution, and legacy of the BSA.”
http://www.traillifeusa.com/faqtab/guidelines-communications-referencing-bsa.
15
May Pat Hoag, “New Organizations ‘Not Just Another Sunday School,’” Norfolk Daily News, October 3, 2013, at
http://www.traillifeusa.com/2013/10/03/new-organizations-just-another-sunday-school.
16
Trail Life USA “Faith Building Options Quick Reference Guide,” 4. The phrase “greater rewards of God” is not
defined. In the award program, living for those greater rewards is demonstrated by telling the truth, showing love to
others, and sacrificing personal needs for the sake of others without seeking recognition for such sacrifice.
13
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2019 Convention Workbook

USA.” 17 Members of Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Church of Christ congregations
may earn awards designed by their denominations.
Leadership
The Charter Organization selects its own Troop leaders. Most leadership positions can be
filled by men or women. However, to preserve the principles of male mentorship, direct contact
positions in the Navigators (6th to 8th grade boys) and the Adventurers (9th to 12th grade boys),
as well as the position of Troop Chaplain, are reserved for men. The Troop Chaplain is
responsible for “instilling the faith-based program of the Troop.” 18 The leadership positions of
Ranger, Trailmaster, and Advisor must be held by adults age 21 and over. Trail Guides, who
assist the Ranger, Trailmaster and Advisor, must be adults age 18 and over. 19 Adult leaders must
sign and abide by the membership standards and the TLUSA Statement of Faith and Values. 20
A background check, ordered by TLUSA, is required for all leaders. “Child Safety Youth
Protection Training” is also required of adult leaders. For child-protection purposes, there must
never be less than two registered leaders present with a Unit of boys. 21 Trail Life USA provides
the Charter Organization with monthly program themes (for example, teamwork, wisdom, or
character), guidelines, and suggested activities for Troop meetings.
Statement of Faith, Values, Vision, Mission, Oath, and Core Values
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 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.”
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.
17

Trail Life USA “Faith Building Options Quick Reference Guide,” 6.
http://www.traillifeusa.com/faqtab/questions/leadership.
http://www.traillifeusa.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/2467-TRL_Positions_TRL-fonts-r2.pdf.
http://www.traillifeusa.com/faqtab/questions/membership.
21
http://www.traillifeusa.com/faqtab/questions/meetings-activities.
18
19
20

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