Connection The
KING’S
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TRAIL LIFE
ithin our faith community, a growing group of boys and young men from Trail Life Troop KY-0068 proudly wear uniforms that remind them of Isaiah 6:8: “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?’ ‘Here I am,’ I said; ‘send me!’” “We remind the boys that as they grow into men, we are called to go forward and serve,” says Troopmaster Bryan Blair. “Trail Life’s vision is to be the premier national character development
Yukon Adventure in Wilmington, Ohio
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organization for young men which produces godly and responsible husbands, fathers and citizens.” Founded in 2013, Trail Life as an organization has a clear mission — to guide generations of courageous young men to honor God, lead with integrity, serve others, and experience outdoor adventure. All boys from 5 years old to less than 18 years old are welcome. “We recommend American Heritage Girls (AHG) for girls ages 5 to about 18,” Bryan says. “Christ the King also charters an AHG Troop which meets at the same time as Trail Life so that families can come together on one night and participate in these great programs. We have held some joint events too.” While there are some similarities between Trail Life and Boy Scouts, namely components like outdoor adventure, Trail Life puts faith at the forefront. “Bible verses, prayers, and a Chaplain’s Minute are key components to every meeting,” Bryan says. “Our troop chaplain, Fr. David Wheeler, not only shares a brief story and verse at meetings, but has also attended events like indoor climbing and campouts.” Trail Life utilizes a combination of outdoor skills, life skills, and religious requirements to help challenge young men. Outdoor skills include knots, outdoor cooking, camping, and many others. “Whether it is planning a day hike, a campout, or a multi-night backpacking trip, the boys plan and prepare,” Bryan says. “It teaches them to make sure they have what they need and to check on the other boys in the troop. The boys lead themselves and learn from each other.” In addition to First Aid, Citizenship, and Personal Fitness, the life skills taught include skills like Family Man (helping around the house, chores, and repairs) and Personal Resources (budgeting, investing, insurance, and costs of borrowing). Religious activities span from simple prayers during opening ceremonies, to service, to larger
