FAQs

Here are some common questions boys and parents ask about Trail Life USA - Troop 212:

Parental Involvement

1. Can parents drop off K - 5th grade boys to weekly Troop meetings? What are your supervision requirements?
   
   Kinder through 5th grade cannot be dropped off. They must be checked in and a parent must remain on the premises.  Foxes (K-1st) must have one parent with the child during lessons/activities.  Hawks (2nd-3rd) - Dads are strongly encouraged to stay, assist and interact with their sons during lessons/activities.  Mt. Lions (4th-5th) Dads are encouraged stay and interact with their sons during lessons/activities.  Note:  Mom is always welcome to stay with their sons if Dad is not able to attend.  Remember that the goal of Trail life is to raise Godly men and we believe that dads are uniquely qualified to train up their sons.  This is why men are encouraged to play an active role in meetings and weekend adventures.   
   
   
2. Why is your drop off policy more strict than sports or Boy Scouts?
   
   Think of our Troop more like church than sports or Boy Scouts. Typically when you visit church, kids are checked into the classroom but the parents remain on the premises for Bible study and fellowship. If leaders need the parents they are nearby. Our hope is that parents will assist with planning/organizing activities as well as fellowship with each other.
   
   
3. Can parents drop off 6th - 12th graders?
   
   Older Trailmen need to be signed in. Parents, especially dads, are encouraged but not required to stay on the premises. If a parent leaves, a cell phone number must be provided and the Trailmen must be picked up no later than 15 minutes after the official closing ceremony.
   
   
4. Can other parents take my K-5th grade son to weekly troop meetings?
   
   Kinder-5th graders must be checked in and out by their parent (this includes weekend adventures).  Rare exceptions may be granted.  Please contact the Troopmaster for more details.
5. Can other parents drop off or pick up my 6th - 12th grader from weekly troop meetings or weekend adventure activities?
   
   If we are provided an approved permission slip, an older Trailman can be dropped off or picked up. Remember that our goal is to have dads spend quality time with their sons or assist in teaching/supervising/planning Trail Life activities.  We understand that as boys get older, they are becoming more independent.  
   
   
6. Is parent supervision different for "Special Events" at Hope Christian Fellowship such as Grand Prix Races or Outdoor Skills Events? These events take place outside the church but on the property such as the parking lot. Parents of K-5th grade Trailmen must be close by to address physical safety and food allergy issues. For example, with “Outdoor Camping Skills” events, Trailmen may build fires, help prepare foods near hot stoves, use sharp utensils/tools, set up tents or handle food such as fish or peanut butter. If a young Trailmen needs to use the restroom while outside, his parent needs to escort him inside the church.  
   
   
7. I noticed our patrol is getting larger.  Do you need more registered leaders? Yes, our troop is growing and we need more registered leaders to share the responsibility for planning/teaching lessons as well as fill important positions such as Troop Advancement Chair or Troop Activities Chair.   
   
   
8. What is a Trail Guide's responsibility? It varies. Younger boys need Trail Guides to assist with planning, teaching and supervising weekly Troop lessons/activities. Older boys need Trail Guides to assist with Trail Badge instruction, mentoring or planning/preparing for weekend activities.
   
   

FAITH

1. Is this like Sunday School?  Absolutely Not!  Trail Life USA is a Christ-centered Outdoor Adventure program.  While our world-view is definitely Christian, and there are opportunities to explore the Christian faith, we are not ‘Churchy’ or ‘Preachy’ in what we do.
2. Which Denomination is Trail Life USA?  We are an inter-denominational Christian organization.  Our Charter Partners and Leaders represent Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox faith traditions.
3. Do I need to be of a certain faith to be in Trail Life USA?  There is no faith requirement for the boys in Trail Life USA.  Boys can be of any religion, or have no religious background.  All adult leaders, however, must subscribe to and abide by our Statement of Faith.

OUTDOOR ADVENTURE & PROGRAM

1. What do you mean by “Outdoor Adventure program?”  Boys need the outdoors and open air.  We have a strong focus on outdoor skills and camping.  Our goal is to be the premier adventure, character, and leadership development program for boys in the USA.
2. What kind of camping does this Troop do?  There are three Units in this Troop.  The older boys (Navigators & Adventurers) are Backpack-Style camping Units.  This means that, with the exception of things like kayaks, rock-climbing gear, and snowshoes, everything we need fits into our backpacks.  The Woodlands Trail Unit (grade-school) is primarily a family-style car-camping unit.  This means we will typically only camp within easy reach of our vehicles, and will likely carry more equipment than the older boys will.
3. What camping gear does a boy need before he can join?  Great Question!  A younger boy needs nothing.  An older boy will need to quickly build his kit of camping gear.  A series of articles on gear will be forthcoming, but there are options to borrow or purchase low-cost gear which makes it affordable to ramp up quickly.
4. Is this Troop “Boy Led?”  The Woodland's Trail Unit (K-5th grade) is led primarily by adult leaders.  The Navigators & Adventurers units are boy-led.  This means the boys design our program plan for the year and, under guidance from adults, execute their plan.
5. Do the Navigators and Adventurers Units meet together, or separately?  Both!  Typically, the Navigators and Adventurers Units will meet separately at times to work on separate activities.  Sometimes they will meet together to finalize preparation for events such as Outdoor Adventures.  The Leadership Council will meet together the fourth meeting per month to plan out the next month’s activities.
6. Do the Navigators and Adventurers Units camp together or separately?  Again, Both!  A typical scenario is both units will camp together two months in a row, and then camp separately the third month.  This gives the younger boys two campouts with the guidance and mentorship of older boys, and still gives each unit the opportunity to do activities that are of more interest to their age-group and skill level.

Do you have a question that has not been answered here?  Please send Contact Us and we would be happy to answer your question, and if appropriate add it to this page.