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.
Recent Posts
Matt Gidney
In The News Service Leadership
Amid the smoke and chaos of the wildfires raging through Los Angeles, with entire neighborhoods reduced to ashes and families torn from their homes, a group of Trail Life volunteers stood in the gap, bringing hope to desperate people in need. On Saturday, January 11, as fire crews battled the flames and the National ...
Read More
Matt Gidney
Leadership Troop Adventures History
“Twenty more miles,” Caleb murmured, feeling the weight of each stroke. The Missouri River stretched endlessly ahead, and he wasn’t sure how much more his arms—or spirit—could take. He looked over at Ricky, First Officer of the expedition, whose own strength and resolve seemed to bolster everyone’s spirits. Together, ...
Read More
Matt Gidney
“For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord.” - 1 Corinthians 4:17 The story of Paul and Timothy is more than ancient history; it’s a timeless tale of mentorship, love, and a legacy that reaches through the ages to inspire us today. Paul’s relationship with Timothy was ...
Read More
Matt Gidney
What originally started as a Trail Life kick-off event back in 2013 has grown and matured, much like Trail Life as a ministry. The first Daniel Boone Base Camp in 2013 hosted 119 Trailmen. Over the past ten years, it has expanded as Troops from across the Northeast gather to kick off the program year. This year, ...
Read More
Matt Gidney
Let Boys be Boys Troop Adventures
The sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows through the towering pines as the boys of Troop NC-0834 gathered at the edge of the woods, anticipation crackling in the air. This was no ordinary weekend; they were about to embark on the annual 36-Hour Survival Challenge, a rite of passage that would test their ...
Read More
Matt Gidney
Let Boys be Boys Troop Adventures Masculinity
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.”
Read More
Matt Gidney
Mentoring Leadership Masculinity
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 behind, but to plant it ...
Read More
Matt Gidney
Parenting Let Boys be Boys Masculinity
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.”
Read More

