Trail Life USA Blog

Matt Gidney

Matt Gidney taught English at Covenant College and the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga. He currently serves as the communications and compliance coordinator for Trail Life USA. He lives in Travelers Rest, South Carolina with his wife and 3 children.

Matt Gidney Jan 14, 2026

Mentoring, Parenting, Trail Life USA, Service, Leadership, Masculinity, History, Raising Godly Boys, Rescue Boys

Sons of Liberty, Sons of Legacy: Christopher Gadsden — Conviction

“My sentiments for the American cause, from the Stamp Act downward, have never changed… I am still of opinion that it is the cause of liberty and of human nature.” — Christopher Gadsden

Matt Gidney Jan 12, 2026

Mentoring, Parenting, Trail Life USA, Let Boys be Boys, Masculinity, Raising Godly Boys

Training Character: Teaching Skills to Build Boys Who Lead

Every parent knows the feeling—explaining, demonstrating, encouraging—and yet the lesson doesn’t quite stick. Whether it’s tying shoes, changing a tire, or learning to listen, boys often need more than words. That’s because boys don’t just learn with their ears—they learn with their hands.

Matt Gidney Jan 02, 2026

Mentoring, Trail Life USA, Leadership, Masculinity, Troop

Called Out of the Comfort Zone: A Trail Life Leader's Journey

The last night Jonathan Gordon spent with Trail Life Troop MS-0356 was bittersweet. As the Court of Honor ceremony came to a close, Jonathan knew this chapter was ending so another could begin. After more than three years of growth and brotherhood, he was stepping away—not to leave the mission…

Matt Gidney Dec 15, 2025

Trail Life USA, Let Boys be Boys, Troop Adventures, Masculinity, Raising Godly Boys

From Hospital Halls to Heroism: How Trail Life Helped Shape a First Responder

Luke Corley woke up to the sound of his mom’s voice. She was shouting, her voice shaking. “Luke, get in the car. We’re going to the hospital. It’s your dad.”

Matt Gidney Dec 12, 2025

Trail Life USA, Let Boys be Boys, Troop Adventures, Masculinity, Raising Godly Boys

From Sea Level to the Summit: How 18 Trailmen Discovered Faith and Brotherhood in Yosemite

The van wound through the tunnel, headlights bouncing off granite walls before bursting into the open air — and suddenly, there it was. Yosemite Valley stretched before them in all its glory: the sheer face of El Capitan to the left, the distant crown of Half Dome rising on the horizon.

Matt Gidney Dec 08, 2025

Mentoring, Trail Life USA, Leadership, Masculinity, Troop, Raising Godly Boys

The Father’s Fingerprints: How God is Working Through Trail Life at Calvary Chapel Chino Hills

A Father’s Search When Ken became a father in 2011, he wanted to make sure he spent quality time with his son. Like many dads, he thought of the Boy Scouts. But as the organization shifted away from its foundations, he began looking for something different—something Christ-centered, something that…

Matt Gidney Dec 04, 2025

Parenting, Trail Life USA, Let Boys be Boys, Masculinity, Raising Godly Boys

“Dad, I Want to Be a Christian”: How Trail Life Shaped a Boy’s Confession and a Father’s Calling

A Backseat Confession The car was quiet on the long drive home from a Trail Life meeting when Jason’s 12 year old son suddenly spoke from the back seat: “Dad, I want to be a Christian.”

Matt Gidney Sep 24, 2025

Trail Life USA, Let Boys be Boys, Troop Adventures, Masculinity, Raising Godly Boys

Five Peaks in Five Days: Troop TX-0022 Conquers the Wheeler Peak Wilderness

Wheeler Peak Wilderness, Taos, NM – July 2025 On July 17, 2025, Trailmen of Troop TX-0022 stood on top of Wheeler Peak, New Mexico’s highest summit at 13,160 feet. But their story began long before the final summit. It began with a bold idea: a backpacking trip to conquer five rugged peaks above…

Matt Gidney Jul 16, 2025

Parenting, Trail Life USA, Let Boys be Boys, Leadership, Troop Adventures

Blisters, Grit, and Grace: How One Trailman with Autism Became a Leader Worth Following

When 16-year-old Noah laced up his boots to summit Guadalupe Peak—the highest point in Texas—he was ready for the challenge. But by the time he descended, his feet were raw with blisters and his spirit was wavering.