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Christian alternative to Boy Scouts sees growth amid pandemic, 70% more new members in 2021
Christian Post ^ | 06/17/2021 | Michael Gryboski

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.”


TOPICS: Current Events; Evangelical Christian; Moral Issues; Religion & Culture
KEYWORDS: boyscouts; bsa; christian; scouts; traillife; traillifeusa

1 posted on 06/17/2021 8:50:53 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
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To: SeekAndFind

Great name for the organization too. It has a nice ring to it.


2 posted on 06/17/2021 8:58:14 AM PDT by plain talk
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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.


3 posted on 06/17/2021 9:03:31 AM PDT by Vermont Lt
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To: SeekAndFind

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.


4 posted on 06/17/2021 9:19:15 AM PDT by taxcontrol (You are entitled to your opinion, no matter how wrong it is.)
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To: SeekAndFind

We can thank Robert Gates for turning the Boy Scouts over to the sodomites.


5 posted on 06/17/2021 9:20:30 AM PDT by Chauncey Gardiner
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To: SeekAndFind

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.


6 posted on 06/17/2021 9:30:51 AM PDT by Raymond Pamintuan
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To: taxcontrol

You did right. Maybe you can find a role with Trail Life.


7 posted on 06/17/2021 9:32:15 AM PDT by Persevero (I am afraid propriety has been set at naught. - Jane Austen )
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To: Chauncey Gardiner

The GOP - it’s what they do. They are the Assistant Democrats, and they are all The Establishment.


8 posted on 06/17/2021 9:36:26 AM PDT by RinaseaofDs
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To: Vermont Lt

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.


9 posted on 06/17/2021 9:40:13 AM PDT by cyclotic (Live your life in such a way that they hate you as much as they hated Rush Limbaugh)
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To: SeekAndFind

Looks pretty “white”? This group will be labeled as racist right-wing extremists.


10 posted on 06/17/2021 9:45:36 AM PDT by Marchmain (If you're vaccinated, why do I need to wear a mask?)
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To: SeekAndFind

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.


11 posted on 06/17/2021 10:16:35 AM PDT by rllngrk33 (It seems the soap box and ballot box have failed, it might be time for the bullet box.)
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To: Marchmain

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 ).


12 posted on 06/17/2021 10:34:23 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
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To: SeekAndFind

Trail Life is one of a number of options.

Conservative Boy Scout Alternatives
https://wehavekids.com/youth-programs/Conservative-Boy-Scout-Alternatives


13 posted on 06/17/2021 10:41:28 AM PDT by tbw2
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To: Chauncey Gardiner

Conservative Boy Scout Alternatives
https://wehavekids.com/youth-programs/Conservative-Boy-Scout-Alternatives


14 posted on 06/17/2021 10:42:13 AM PDT by tbw2
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To: SeekAndFind

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.)


15 posted on 06/17/2021 11:09:48 AM PDT by Captain Rhino (Determined effort today forges tomorrow. )
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To: SeekAndFind; 07Jack; 2A Patriot; 2nd amendment mama; 4everontheRight; 77Jimmy; ...
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.

16 posted on 06/17/2021 12:45:25 PM PDT by upchuck (I am not afraid of the Chinese Virus or variants. I AM afraid of the unproven vaccines.)
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To: SeekAndFind

This is good news. I trust growth in the American Heritage Girls has seen the same level as the Trail Life Boys.


17 posted on 06/17/2021 2:39:19 PM PDT by joma89 (Buy weapons and ammo, folks, and have the will to use them.)
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To: upchuck

Awesome


18 posted on 06/17/2021 3:57:01 PM PDT by StoneWall Brigade
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