Trail Life USA Blog
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.
Stephen Ashton Nov 29, 2018
10 Year Old Leads Team of 17 to Serve Community
Ten-year-old Christopher Korfmann of Wilson is pictured in the photo above at center of the front row wearing a hat with a hard hat on top and holding a clipboard. Last month, this young man was featured in Wilson Times after leading a team of ten youth and seven adults in a service project to…
Stephen Ashton Nov 16, 2018
Legal Fight Over ‘Scouts’ Sparks Surge in Boys-Only Outdoor Adventure
As a legal fight between America’s two long-time scouting organizations ensues, Trail Life USA is experiencing historic growth. “In the eight days following the announcement of the lawsuit we saw a 79 percent increase in inquiries into starting a troop and a 35 percent increase in traffic to our…
Stephen Ashton Sep 22, 2018
Trail Life Parent Experiences the Impact of a Shoebox Firsthand!
Phil and Cheryl Smith have been involved with Trail Life USA since the Nashville Convention in 2014. Soon after the convention, Phil began talking with his church about starting a Trail Life ministry. The Troop was started with just a few boys who signed at a table in the church atrium. Since then…
Stephen Ashton Sep 16, 2018
A 10-Year-Old Giant: Crossing into Biblical Manhood
At just 10 years old, this young Trailman has already demonstrated remarkable maturity by achieving the Timberline Award—the capstone of our Woodlands Trail program. Soon, he’ll stand before his family, Troop, and mentors to crossover into the next phase of his journey: the Navigator program, where…
Stephen Ashton Sep 15, 2018
TLUSA Encourages Troops to Partner with Samaritan’s Purse
Hurricane Florence made landfall delivering 90 mph winds and heavy rains. This massive storm caused severe flooding in North and South Carolina, Maryland, Virginia, and Georgia. Many Trail Life Troops on the east coast have been affected. Please keep residents of the East Coast in your prayers.
Stephen Ashton Aug 02, 2018
Adventures in Odyssey Club and Trail Life USA Team Up
Focus on the Family’s Adventures in Odyssey Club is highlighting Trail Life USA as a featured charity in the ministry’s popular membership program for children this month.
Stephen Ashton Apr 04, 2018
Growing Sons Who Walk Worthy
For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in…
Stephen Ashton Mar 13, 2018
Diakonos: The Legacy of Trail Life USA’s Oldest Freedom Rangeman
In a busy adolescent world of video games, social media, sports, and cell phones, Trail Life USA's oldest Freedom Rangeman has found a meaningful way to connect and contribute to the lives of his son-in-law, his grandsons, and the men and boys of his community through his local Trail Life Troop.…