Posted on 06/17/2021 8:50:53 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
A youth scouting group formed in response to the controversial changes within the Boy Scouts of America has reported an increase in the number of chapters during the pandemic.
Trail Life USA , launched in 2014 and headquartered in Greenville, South Carolina, is reporting dozens of new chapters and more than 30,000 members.
Trail Life USA CEO Mark Hancock told The Christian Post that 65 new troops have been created thus far in 2021, with over 100 in the process of being chartered.
“So far this year, we have seen a 70% increase in new members over this time last year and a 30% increase over the same period the prior year,” explained Hancock.
“Just this year, we have seen over 65 new troops started as men across the nation have stepped up to lead and make a difference in the lives of boys in their churches, their families, and their communities.”
The launching of Trail Life USA came partly in response to the Boy Scouts voting in 2013 to allow openly gay males to become scouts while maintaining the organization's ban on openly gay scout leaders.
This change prompted many churches — a significant source of support for the Boy Scouts — to sever their ties with the prominent scouting organization.
Later, the Boy Scouts announced further changes, such as allowing openly gay scout leaders in 2015. BSA also expanded membership to include girls, prompting a lawsuit from the Girl Scouts of the United States of America.
Hancock told CP that Trail Life membership initially “came largely from individuals who had participated in the Boy Scouts" and “churches have come to see Trail Life as a distinct program.”
“Trail Life USA is not just a program that meets at the Church. We are a ministry of the Church,” said Hancock. “We are not an outdoor program that incorporates a Christian experience. We are, at our core, a Christ-centered program that utilizes the outdoors to draw boys and their families into a closer relationship with their Creator.”
“It is a significant distinction, and we are seeing unprecedented growth. Churches are attracted to our model as a means to engage men, connect fathers and sons, impact families and grow the Church.”
Reports of Trail Life's growth amid the coronavirus pandemic come as the Christian scouting group recently held its National Backyard Concert and Campout event.
An estimated 20,000 people took part in the event, according to Hancock. An additional 15,000 people watched the broadcasted event during Memorial Day Weekend.
“The past year was a difficult time for kids and families across the country. As Trail Life USA, we realized that boys would need a safe outlet for their rough-and-tumble, adventurous nature,” explained Hancock.
“Many people appreciated our approach, and we saw growth last year. As things have begun to open up this year, families are flocking to the program.”
Great name for the organization too. It has a nice ring to it.
Not disputing this is a wonderful organization. But growth comparisons between 2020 and 2021 are disingenuous.
But, I wish them luck. They seem “decent.” And that is always a good thing.
When the BSA abandoned their duty to God by pandering to the gays, I resigned my Assistant Scout Master position. I felt that I could no longer continue to be both a deacon in my church and support the BSA.
We can thank Robert Gates for turning the Boy Scouts over to the sodomites.
I hope this organization succeeds! Our youth need this type of program desperately.
My church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, took out over 400,000 from the BSA when they went insane and started our own program called Children and Youth. But, this pandemic has really screwed everything up and we haven’t done the typical scouting activities in a year and a half.
Hopefully, we’ll be able to resume in a few months.
You did right. Maybe you can find a role with Trail Life.
The GOP - it’s what they do. They are the Assistant Democrats, and they are all The Establishment.
What Mark was getting as is that the growth of new troops and members hasn’t slowed much at all even during COVID.
Trail Life USA developed a theme in the past year we call #OpenGorAdventure.
We encouraged our troops to continue serving youth and families in any way they could.
Many individual units experienced good growth during this period as families realized others weren’t serving them.
If you want to find out more about Trail Life USA FReepmail me.
Looks pretty “white”? This group will be labeled as racist right-wing extremists.
I wish them success. As they grow, I hope they watch out for liberals trying to infiltrate and destroy them from within like they did the Boy Scouts.
RE: Looks pretty “white”? This group will be labeled as racist right-wing extremists.
Folks from ANY ETHNICITY are welcome to join. Heck, the younger members still sing JESUS LOVES THE LITTLE CHILDREN (If you are familiar with the lyrics, you’ll know what I mean ).
Trail Life is one of a number of options.
Conservative Boy Scout Alternatives
https://wehavekids.com/youth-programs/Conservative-Boy-Scout-Alternatives
Conservative Boy Scout Alternatives
https://wehavekids.com/youth-programs/Conservative-Boy-Scout-Alternatives
So, has the SPLC (and other left wing groups) labeled Trail Life an Alt-Right, Racist, Christian Identity, White Supremacy group yet?
(Please correct if I left any other malefactors out of the labels.)
South Carolina Ping 
If you'd like to be on or off the South Carolina ping list, just click Private Reply below and drop me a FReepmail.
The BSA organization is dead. Went "woke" and died. If you have youngsters or grandkids, consider Trail Life USA. Great organization.
This is good news. I trust growth in the American Heritage Girls has seen the same level as the Trail Life Boys.
Awesome
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.