New to Trail Life?

Everything a family needs to know to get started

“Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”

1 Timothy 4:12 (KJV)

Trail Life USA is a Christ-centered, boy-focused outdoor adventure, character, and leadership program for boys and young men ages 5 to 17. Troops are chartered by local churches and led by trained, background-checked Christian men. Boys learn real outdoor skills, grow in faith, and learn to lead.

Where Will My Son Fit?

Woodlands Trail

Ages 5–10

Outdoor skills and character through fun activities, awards, and skill instruction, in small patrols by age.

  • Foxes ages 5–6 (about K–1st grade). A parent attends every meeting and outing.
  • Hawks ages 7–8 (about 2nd–3rd grade)
  • Mountain Lions ages 9–10 (about 4th–5th grade). Eligible for the Timberline Award.

Navigators

Ages 11–13

Boys build values and responsibility through outdoor adventure and in their home and school life, and begin earning Trail Badges toward the Freedom Award.

Adventurers

Ages 14–17

Young men take on harder challenges and real leadership, working toward the Freedom Award, Trail Life’s highest honor.

Not sure which group fits? Placement is by age, and your troop will help you get it right.

What Does a Meeting Look Like?

Most troops meet once a week for about eight to nine months of the year. Meetings are active, fun, and most often outdoors, and they generally follow this flow:

  1. Opening ceremony
  2. Troop-wide announcements and devotion
  3. Patrol breakout activities by age group
  4. Troop-wide game or activity
  5. Biblical connections and closing ceremony

Your Trail Map

You are here Pick your trail

Join a Troop

  1. Find a troop

    See the Northern Tier troops on our map, with where each one meets.

  2. Visit a meeting

    Reach out to the troop and come see a meeting with your son. It’s the best way to know if it’s a fit.

  3. Register

    Your troop will walk you through signing up. Youth membership with Trail Life USA is $42.98 a year.

  4. Hit the trail

    Pick up a handbook and uniform from the Trail Life store and start the adventure.

Start a Troop

  1. Fill out the interest form

    Tell Trail Life USA you’d like to start a troop on their Start a Troop page.

  2. Connect with the team

    Trail Life’s team, and our Northern Tier Area Team, will walk you and your church through the next steps.

  3. Charter your troop

    A local church charters the troop (about $325). The whole process can take less than a month.

  4. Launch the adventure

    With startup guides, leader training, and seasoned volunteers behind you, your new troop hits the trail.

Common Questions

Who can join?
Boys who are at least 5 years old and under 18. Trail Life is for boys only; for girls, Trail Life recommends its sister program, American Heritage Girls.
Does my son have to be a Christian?
No. Trail Life welcomes boys of any faith, or no faith at all. The program is unapologetically Christ-centered, with faith woven throughout without being “churchy,” and adult leaders are Christian men. Because each troop belongs to a local church, a troop may have its own additional guidelines.
What does it cost?
Trail Life USA youth membership is $42.98 per year, paid by credit or debit card. Many troops also have their own troop dues or activity costs, so ask the troop you visit. Membership fees are non-refundable.
Does he need a uniform right away?
No. There’s no strict requirement for the full uniform when a Trailman first starts, but he should have one soon. There are three levels: a Trail Uniform (t-shirt), a Travel Uniform (polo), and the more formal Troop Uniform.
Do parents need to be involved?
Parents are encouraged to take an active role, and many dads serve alongside their sons. For Foxes (ages 5–6), at least one parent is required at all meetings and outings.
How do you keep boys safe?
Every adult leader must pass a nationwide criminal background check, initially and periodically, and complete Child Safety Youth Protection Training. Troops follow Trail Life’s youth protection essentials: no one-on-one contact between an adult and a boy, two-deep leadership, and the buddy system.
Can he join partway through the year?
Yes. Boys can join any time of year. Reach out to a troop near you and they’ll help him jump in.
How is Trail Life different from scouting?
Trail Life is built on a Christian worldview with the Bible as the foundation for truth, is for boys only, and is led by trained, background-checked Christian men. Its activities are designed to let boys be boys, and each troop is owned and operated by its chartering church.

Ready to Visit a Troop?

Find the Northern Tier troop closest to you and come see a meeting.

Find a Troop Learn About Trail Life

Program details, fees, and policies from Trail Life USA’s official FAQ; check there for the latest.