Matt Gidney

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

Boots on the Ground: Trail Life Volunteers provide vital aid to people impacted by LA Fires

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 ...
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Matt Gidney

Leadership Troop Adventures History

A Modern Corps of Discovery: Leadership and Brotherhood Forged on the Missouri River

“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, ...
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Matt Gidney

Mentoring

Guiding Generations: Paul, Timothy, and the Power of Mentorship

“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 ...
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Matt Gidney

Mentoring Service Leadership

Daniel Boone Base Camp 2024 - Raising Servant Leaders

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, ...
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Matt Gidney

Let Boys be Boys Troop Adventures

A Rite of Passage: Troop NC-0834's 36-hour Survival challenge

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 ...
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Matt Gidney

Let Boys be Boys Troop Adventures Masculinity

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.”
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Matt Gidney

Mentoring Leadership Masculinity

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 behind, but to plant it ...
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Matt Gidney

Parenting Let Boys be Boys Masculinity

“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.”
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