Stephen Ashton

3 Lessons Every Boy Must Learn

“The greatest tribute a boy can give to his father is to say, ‘When I grow up, I want to be just like my dad.’ It is a convicting responsibility for us fathers and grandfathers. . .The greatest legacy one can pass on to one's children and grandchildren is a legacy of character and faith.” - Billy Graham
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Stephen Ashton

Mentoring Masculinity History

Theodore Roosevelt: Character and Success

Bodily vigor is good, and vigor of intellect is even better, but far above both is character. In the long run, in the great battle of life, no brilliancy of intellect, no perfection of bodily development, will count when weighed in the balance against that assemblage of virtues, active and passive, of moral qualities, ...
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Stephen Ashton

Top Trail Life Posts of 2020

1. FIRST-EVER NATIONAL BACKYARD CAMPOUT WANTS FAMILIES TO MAKE MEMORIES MARK HANCOCK APR 1, 2020 9:23:27 AM
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Mark Hancock

Mentoring

Growing the Greatest Generation

I am writing because I believe we are at a critical juncture for boys. It has been said, “Difficult times make strong men.” The present challenges facing our nation create a unique opportunity to cultivate the men of tomorrow. Will we grow men of character and courage who are competent to face the challenges of the ...
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Mark Hancock

In The News Mentoring

Walking the Ministry Tightrope: Religious Freedom, Child Safety, & Gender Confusion

Pastors and ministry leaders: Raise your hand if college or seminary prepared you for protecting children from abuse, religious liberty battles or the culture war over gender and sexuality. No? Well, you’re certainly not alone! As America seems to be transitioning to a post-Christian era, our churches and ministries ...
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Stephen Ashton

Let Boys be Boys Troop Adventures

Jim's Daniel Boone Friction Flamed Coffee

The boys came prepared in teams of four for a highlight challenge of the Daniel Boone Base Camp Event. Each year Trailmen compete to build a fire tall enough to burn a marker string, boil water, and steep coffee for their Troopmaster to drink. This year, however the planning team added a twist. The fire had to be ...
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Ryan Sanders

Leadership

A Journey to Freedom

Will McCarty and his father Britt worked together to begin the first Trail Life Troop in the state of Mississippi. Now six years later, a dream has come true. Will has become the first Freedom Rangeman in Trail Life Troop MS-0009, and a new legacy has begun.
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Jay Payleitner

Mentoring

Cultivating Confident Overcomers

"It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed." - Theodore Roosevelt The world needs more good men. And you've been given the task to help build one. What a privilege! As a dad of four grown sons, I want to share three dad-friendly ideas to help you grow bold men of character who are prepared for ...
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Mark Hancock

In The News Let Boys be Boys

Could COVID be Inspiration for the Next 'Greatest Generation?'

As parents, we have a choice to teach our boys to live in fear or teach them to rise above life’s challenges and act in faith. COVID-19 has added many obstacles to boys getting together to do the things they love. But right now, our boys don’t need to hear more “you can’t do XYZ.” They need opportunities to positively ...
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