Trail Life USA Blog

Mark Hancock Nov 20, 2025

Mentoring, Trail Life USA, Leadership, Masculinity

The Real Problem With “Toxic Masculinity”

Op-ed by Trail Life CEO, Mark Hancock, published by DailySignal.com on October 28, 2025 On a recent 60 Minutes segment, UFC president Dana White was asked whether he worries that the sport might promote “toxic masculinity.” White shot back, “What does that even mean? Can you be too masculine?”

Stephen Ashton Nov 13, 2025

Mentoring, Trail Life USA, Leadership, Masculinity

Men Are the Method

“The Church is looking for better methods. God is looking for better men.” —E.M. Bounds There’s a defining moment in every story of faith—the moment God calls His servant to step forward and take action. The air is thick with uncertainty. The task seems too great. And yet, into trembling hands, God…

Stephen Ashton Nov 06, 2025

Mentoring, Trail Life USA, Leadership, Masculinity

REAL Manhood

"Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love." — 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 Our world is confused about masculinity. Some celebrate a version of manhood that glorifies dominance and selfish power. Others try to erase manhood altogether, taming boys…

Stephen Ashton Nov 05, 2025

Trail Life USA, Leadership, Masculinity, Raising Godly Boys

3 Ways to Engage Men and Grow Your Church

Engaging Men to Grow the Church How do you grow a church? Is it better programs? A sharper sermon series? More polished music or better coffee in the lobby?

Stephen Ashton Oct 22, 2025

Mentoring, Trail Life USA, Leadership, Masculinity

Three Factors to Forge Manliness

“Let childhood and boyhood be prolonged, let manhood be postponed, but let manliness be promptly developed.” - George Walter Fiske

Stephen Ashton Oct 14, 2025

Mentoring, Trail Life USA, Leadership, Masculinity

7 Transformational Men's Ministry Ideas That Actually Work

When most people search for men’s ministry ideas, they’re looking for activities to keep men involved—a breakfast, a retreat, maybe a golf outing. Those have their place, but if we’re honest, many of them don’t move the needle. They get men to show up, but they don’t awaken the heart of a man. They…

Matt Gidney Sep 24, 2025

Trail Life USA, Let Boys be Boys, Troop Adventures, Masculinity, Raising Godly Boys

Five Peaks in Five Days: Troop TX-0022 Conquers the Wheeler Peak Wilderness

Wheeler Peak Wilderness, Taos, NM – July 2025 On July 17, 2025, Trailmen of Troop TX-0022 stood on top of Wheeler Peak, New Mexico’s highest summit at 13,160 feet. But their story began long before the final summit. It began with a bold idea: a backpacking trip to conquer five rugged peaks above…

Staff Sep 15, 2025

Parenting, Trail Life USA, Leadership, Masculinity, Troop

Letter From a Proud Trail Life Mama

The following letter sent earlier this summer to the Trail Life Home Office is being shared here with Ginny's permission. This letter is to every member of the Trail Life family that, by God's grace, makes stories like these possible. Keep Walking Worthy! It's making an impact every day.

Mark Hancock Aug 25, 2025

Mentoring, Parenting, Trail Life USA, Let Boys be Boys, Masculinity, Raising Godly Boys, Rescue Boys

What Every Boy is Asking

A boy doesn’t usually say it out loud. But he’s always asking: Who’s in charge? Who’s with me? What’s the mission?