As the boat was lowered into the water, the boys held their breath. They had done research, planned, built and tested a series of small models with successive improvements, and prayed for a year. Still, they had never put the boat–this boat–in water. No one could really be sure that it would float long enough to carry

This week MinistryWatch, an independent donor advocate facilitating the information needs of donors and providing information on charitable organizations, highlighted Trail Life USA as a “Shining Light.”

The following is an excerpt from a MinistryWatch email:

“Trail Life has been one of the most influential parts of my life. . . . As a young person, you can do many ‘activities,’ but there were no other opportunities available to me where you can learn leadership of peers in this Christ-centered environment.”

What follows is a partial transcript of Mark Hancock’s keynote address entitled “Lies About You.” The speech was delivered on Sunday, July 21st at the Trail Life USA Summer Adventure and Family Convention. To hear the message in its entirety, click the video link below.

We must make every effort to interdict those dangerous influences, and to build within our young men lasting qualities of character, self-discipline, respect for authority, commitment to the work ethic, and an unshakable love for Jesus Christ…Get your boys into a good program that offers Christian mentoring for them, such as Trail Life.

As a young man in high school and college, I stopped going hunting with my dad because I was just too busy, I got married and had kids. Classic adult excuses, but I just didn’t think about hunting until one fall day in 2011. Visiting with my Dad one day, out of the blue he asked if I was interested in going elk hunting with him that year. I had never been elk hunting and honestly was surprised and excited about his invitation. 

Reflection Riding Arboretum and Nature Center is a beautiful 317-acre haven nestled at the base of Lookout Mountain and just minutes from nearby Chattanooga, Tennessee. For generations, local residents have enjoyed visiting the historic structures, canoeing on Lookout Creek, and exploring the 15 miles of hiking trails through its forests and glades.

Trail Life USA is pleased to announce our new ministry association with Renewanation of Roanoke, VA. Renewanation’s vision is “to see culture transformed by helping millions of children develop a Biblical worldview.”

“The fix for this stuff isn’t gun control and all the other things we’re debating,” Trail Life USA CEO Mark Hancock told The Todd Starnes Show. “It’s fathers and father-likes that step up and find ways to provide moral, strong, clear, leadership.”