1. Cultivate Relationships

Boys need dads who remember the world of backyard matchbox cars. Who can recall the time when dirt roads were carved from mulch beds, rocks became doughnut shops, cars drove to the tops of trees, and perils awaited in the grass jungles.

Across the country parents are scrambling to figure out how to help their children thrive during an unexpected extended school vacation. Keeping kids (especially boys) busy and engaged in a constrained setting can be a challenge.

But it doesn't have to be a disaster.

"Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray."
Luke 5:16

My master was a Man, who knew
The rush of rain, the drip of dew,
The wistful whisper of the breeze,
Night's magic and its mysteries.

Boyhood is a time of daring adventure, exploration, action and personal growth – that’s why adventure is a fundamental part of Trail Life’s mission. Adventure is a terrific way to capture the heart of a boy and teach important life lessons. Boys need godly men to lead the way. A boy without a mentor showing him the way is like an explorer without a compass, without a map.

And then I caught the lesson God was telling me - 'Do you trust me like that? Will you step with boldness into the life of another?' Are you willing to notice others, connect with them, and become an everyday hero as you build into their lives? We each have our own assignments. As I trust, God is going to use me. Each of us have the opportunity to be an everyday hero in the lives of others.

In a culture that declares masculinity is toxic and struggles to provide any coherent definition of what a man is or should be, Christmas is an incredible opportunity to talk with boys and young men about the example of Christ. What did it mean for him to become a man? What character traits did he display? What was unique about the life he lived? What implications does his life have for us as men?

Parenting is a journey. It’s not a journey of raising kids - it’s a journey of making disciples. I am on this journey with you. My wife April and I have been married 24 years and we’re raising five future men.

The full keynote and abridged transcript that follow were presented on Thursday, July 25th at the Trail Life USA Summer Adventure and Family Convention.

A RETURN TO SCOUTING’S ROOTS

The Trail Life movement represents a return to the founding principles of youth scouting as articulated by Lord Robert Baden-Powell, a British army officer and founder of the modern youth scouting movement.

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.