Eric Inman vividly recalls the moment he first heard about Trail Life USA. It was 2014, and he was sitting in a packed church when a promotional video for Trail Life started to play. “Mirielle, my wife, nudged me with an elbow,” he recalls, “A Trail Life Troop was coming to Denton Bible Church. We knew nothing about it, but I was shaking my head in agreement. The concept was absolutely thrilling. I remember thinking, ‘Whoa! I’m all over this.’”
For Eric and so many others, this was an answer to prayer. A retired park ranger, Eric’s love of the outdoors was fostered as a Boy Scout, and he served as an adult volunteer with the organization for years. However, around 2012, Eric knew he needed to part ways with BSA when they “pole-vaulted over the morality line in the sand”, as he put it. “We don’t compare ourselves to Scouting America (formerly the Boy Scouts of America), but we share some similar traits. For example, many of our methods can be traced to the same man who started the Boy Scouts, Sir Baden Powell. We are a Christian outdoor adventure program for boys and young men. Our focus is making Godly citizens by mentoring the boys and each other, with Christ and God’s creation as the foundation.”
Denton Area Point Mannine active troops are in the Denton County area (with another one soon to be chartered at Prestonwood Baptist Church).
Celebrating its 11th anniversary, Trail Life USA has grown into the largest Christ-centered, boy-focused organization in the nation, boasting over 1,250 Troops and 60,000 members across all 50 states. Inman emphasizes that the program is not just about outdoor adventures; it’s about mentorship and building character in young boys. “Christian men who get involved in Trail Life are suddenly surrounded by men who mentor you, encourage you, and become positive influences and role models,” he explains. This creates a nurturing environment where boys thrive, especially those without fathers present in their lives.
Now serving as the Denton Area Point Man, Eric and his team are responsible for overseeing the nine active Troops in his homebase of Denton County. Inman views his involvement as a second chance to be part of something special. With values rooted in the Bible and a focus on outdoor adventure, Trail Life welcomes boys ages 5 to 17, offering opportunities to learn vital skills and develop their leadership potential. “I get to help shape boys’ lives and mentor their dads and other fellow volunteers,” Inman shares, “plus, they do the same for me.”
Across the country, men like Eric Inman are stepping up to raise boys into godly men through Trail Life USA, fostering a brotherhood built on faith and adventure. As boys and men come together in this mission, they are creating lasting memories and impactful relationships that will echo through generations.
