Stephen Ashton

Stephen Ashton
Stephen Ashton is the National Director of Marketing for Trail Life USA and serves as an adjunct professor at Clarks Summit University and Anchor Christian University. Prior to his work at Trail Life, he spent 15 years working with at-risk youth in residential therapeutic wilderness programs and served as the Vice-President of the Wilderness Road Therapeutic Camping Association. An author and a speaker, he has written for journals and published a book chronicling the foundations of therapeutic camping. He frequently speaks on the topics of fatherhood, biblical masculinity, outdoor education, and wilderness therapy. Stephen lives in South Carolina with his wife and 4 sons.
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Stephen Ashton

Service Leadership

Freedom Award Prepares Rangeman for Collegiate Leadership

It was Noah Starr’s last Sunday morning leading worship for his Troop. Soon Troop OK-100 from Yukon, Oklahoma would break camp and Noah’s last trip before heading off to college would be complete. A wave of emotion washed over him as he reflected on his time with his Trail Life Troop, took in the faces of Trailmen ...
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Stephen Ashton

Mentoring

Training Sons in Righteousness

“The fruit of righteousness will be peace, and the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever.” – Isaiah 32:17
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Stephen Ashton

In The News Mentoring Service

Trailman’s First Aid Training Saves Grandmother’s Life

On Monday, May 22, 2017, Adam Kort reviewed the materials one last time before the meeting. He was taking the lead this year teaching the First Aid Trail Badge to the Navigators and Adventurers groups. He had prepared well and was confident in his abilities. However, he had no idea how important this refresher would ...
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Stephen Ashton

Trail Life USA Welcomes Hezekiah Barge, Jr. to the Board of Directors

As part of Trail Life USA’s commitment to be volunteer led, each year the Charter Organization Representatives (CORs) vote to determine Board Members. The elections were held last month and Hezekiah Barge, Jr. was elected to a three year term.
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Stephen Ashton

In The News

Boys’ Christian Program CEO Champions ‘Morality & Uprightness’

Trail Life USA cited by national family values organization for creating different option to Boy Scouts BELTON, S.C.—The CEO of a flourishing outdoor adventure program, Trail Life USA, has been spotlighted by a national organization for helping develop character in thousands of boys and young men.
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Stephen Ashton

Mentoring Parenting

Trail Life USA CEO, Mark Hancock is Interviewed on FamilyLife Today

On June 30, 2016, FamilyLife Today aired their interview with Trail Life CEO, Mark Hancock.
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Stephen Ashton

Leadership Masculinity History

George Washington: Lead with Integrity

"O eternal and everlasting God, direct my thoughts, words and work. Wash away my sins in the immaculate blood of the lamb, and purge my heart by thy Holy Spirit . . . daily frame me more and more into the likeness of thy son Jesus Christ, that living in thy fear, and dying in thy favor, I may in thy appointed time ...
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Stephen Ashton

Masculinity History

William Bradford

"Our fathers were Englishmen who came over the great ocean, and were ready to perish in this wilderness; but they cried unto the Lord, and He heard their voice, and looked on their adversity. ... Let them therefore praise the Lord, because He is good, and His mercies endure forever. Yea, let them that have been ...
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Stephen Ashton

Masculinity History

Jim Elliot

"Greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." —Jesus (John 15:13)— "Forgive me for being so ordinary while claiming to know so extraordinary a God," chronicled Jim Elliot in his journal. "We are so utterly ordinary, so commonplace, while we profess to know a Power the Twentieth ...
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