Posted on 09/06/2013 10:00:51 PM PDT by MacNaughton
Nashville, TN - More than 1,200 former Scoutmasters, Eagle Scouts, parents, church leaders and former Boy Scout of America (BSA) professionals gathered tonight for the 1st inaugural Leadership Convention of a youth character development organization in Nashville. The convention's theme was "Honoring the Legacy ... Raising the Standard." Forty-four (44) states were represented, including Alaska and Hawaii.
The name and visual branding for "Trail Life USA" were unveiled publicly for the 1st time to great applause and excitement by those gathered to launch a Christian alternative to the Boy Scouts of America. Trail Life USA will be an outdoor scouting-like program designed for boys ages 5-17 which will focus on adventure, character and leadership.
The new group will have a strong inclusion policy for youth; all boys are welcome to the program regardless of religion, race, national origin or socio-economic status. However, adult leaders in the program will be Christian and must sign a statement of faith and submit to background checks. Both boys and adults will be required to adhere to a code of conduct. The full membership policy can be read online at http://www.TrailLifeUSA.
The Trail Life USA leadership team includes some highly decorated former BSA members and former professional BSA executives. Among these are:
Rob Green, Trail Life USA's Interim Executive Director. Rob served as a professional BSA executive for 20 years in Florida and South Carolina before resigning after the BSA's membership change in May 2013.
Attorney Richard Mathews Consultant and legal counsel for Trail Life USA. Richard worked for the BSA professionally as the in-house legal counsel for 11 years, culminating as the BSA's General Counsel for the last 7 years.
John Burkitt is considered by many to be 1 of the greatest Boy Scout historians alive today having compared, studied and analyzed every Boy Scout, Cub Scout and Scoutmaster handbook ever published from the original Baden Powell's "Scouting for Boys" to the present. John has served as the primary editor and author of the 1st edition of the Adventuring handbook that will be used in the Trail Life USA program.
Eagle Scout and former Scoutmaster, John Stemberger, Chairman of the Board for Trail Life USA, said "Our vision will be to become the premier national character development organization for young men which produces godly and responsible husbands, fathers, and citizens. Parents are going love the new outdoor adventure program and we are very excited to be part of this next chapter in the history of scouting in America."
On Saturday special guest speakers include former Governor and Fox News Commentator Mike Huckabee and Michael Farris, Chancellor of Patrick Henry College.
More than 30,000 former scoutmasters, Eagle Scouts, parents, and church leaders have contacted the organization about the new program. Chartering new troops will occur in late September 2013 and the program will officially launch on January 1, 2014. For more information churches, parents and former BSA members can visit http://www.TrailLifeUSA.com or contact Info@TrailLifeUSA.com.
Trail Life USA is a Christian adventure, character, and leadership movement for young men. The K-12 program centers on outdoor experiences that 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.
Is the Catholic Church involved?
I like the name, it is outdoorsy with no political or religious words attached to it.
Some alternative groups had a meaning heavy name that made one groan at the effect it would have in general, mass usage among the public.
Good question. Based upon the U.S. Bishop out of Charleston, SC, who leads their Scouting committee, I rather doubt it, but some individual Catholic Scouters may be at the founders' convention. Two big clues as to who seems to be the most behind this are ...
1. Convention is being held in Nashville, TN - home of the national HQ for the SBC.
2. On Saturday special guest speakers include former Governor and Fox News Commentator Mike Huckabee ... Huckabee attended an SBC seminary but did not finish. He has served as a pastor in 2 (SBC?) Baptist churches.
Looks nice. Marking for future reference.
My gut sense? They’re going to define Christian generously enough to embrace anyone who has put his trust in Jesus Christ to save his eternal life. That represents a pretty fair slice of Roman Catholics too. Fortuitously, most Baptists are actually allergic to denominational issues.
mark
I wish I was a lot younger (71), I’d very quickly get involved in this great idea. Their lit and website is very well-done. A shame all I can do is donate a little, what fun it would have been to be an active part of forming a “troop.” Good luck and best wishes to them.
Waiting for the conference to restart this morning, and this organization can use every Trailman with fire.
ping
Was this the group that formed out of onmyhonor.net?
Yes. The founders' convention concludes today. Should be some more info posted by early evening.
Thank you so much. My daughter was Pack Committee Chair for cub scouts at their church, quietly resigned over the summer, and now she is seeking alternative activity/affiliation for my 10 year old grandson. I have passed this info along.
Absolutely correct. I’m at the convention. This is the real thing. In under 70 days, they have come up with a program that is simple yet comprehensive and something young men can be proud to be members of. The program can encompass boys 5-25 at different levels. They are serious about creating a strong, masculine program encompassing the three aims of Adventure, Character and Leadership. The motto is Walk Worthy.
They announced yesterday that the General Counsel of BSA has joined their small staff. That’s huge. The attorney who won the Dale Decision for BSA is also involved. Is it going to be tough? Yea, is it impossible? I don’t know, is anything impossible when God is involved? Nope. Buckle up and enjoy the ride
God bless you. As you were there to witness this event, I hope you will post more comments on FR about TL-USA.
This looks very good. Love the name.
The Scouts of St. George organization looks great. I hope they get lots of members.
Scouting pinglist. It’s evolving, folks!
I have a friend whose son is in the scouts here in Maryland, a Catholic church based local troop. His wife volunteers for them too.
He told me nothing has changed, that they can reject anyone for any reason.
And talking about gays, gay rights, gay feelings, etc, anything sexual related is a reason they would.
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