Trail Life USA Blog

Leadership

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…

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.

Matt Gidney Jul 16, 2025

Parenting, Trail Life USA, Let Boys be Boys, Leadership, Troop Adventures

Blisters, Grit, and Grace: How One Trailman with Autism Became a Leader Worth Following

When 16-year-old Noah laced up his boots to summit Guadalupe Peak—the highest point in Texas—he was ready for the challenge. But by the time he descended, his feet were raw with blisters and his spirit was wavering.

Matt Gidney Jul 02, 2025

Trail Life USA, Service, Leadership, Masculinity, Troop

A Rose for Texas, a Flag for a Hero: Trailmen Honor a Marine’s Legacy

“They gave us a beautiful gift. They gave us hope.” - Kitty Gandee

Matt Gidney May 12, 2025

Trail Life USA, Leadership, Masculinity, Troop

Don't Invite Me to Church: The Power of Presence

"Don’t Invite Me to Church" Brandon didn’t mince words. He was here for Trail Life—for his son, for the boys—but church? No thanks. He’d seen too much. Pastor Darrell Cooper didn’t flinch. He didn’t argue. He didn’t push. He just smiled and said, “Okay.”

Matt Gidney May 05, 2025

Mentoring, Parenting, Trail Life USA, Leadership, Masculinity, Troop, Raising Godly Boys, Rescue Boys

God Sent Men: A Story of Single Motherhood, Mentorship, and the Power of a Troop Family

“When my husband left our family, my prayer for my sons was simple: ‘God, please send godly men into their lives.’”

Matt Gidney Apr 14, 2025

Trail Life USA, Let Boys be Boys, Leadership, Troop Adventures

Adventure in the Everglades

As the last light faded over Fisheating Creek, the Everglades came alive. Palmettos glowed gold in the twilight. Cypress trees cast long shadows in the tannin-stained water. Crickets chirped. Tree frogs sang. And the boys—well, the boys were stirring chili.

Matt Gidney Feb 09, 2025

Trail Life USA, Boy Scout Alternative, Leadership, History, Raising Godly Boys

Sir Robert Baden-Powell: Molding Christian Men Through Outdoor Adventure

In the summer of 1900, on the dusty plains of Mafeking, South Africa, Colonel Robert Baden-Powell surveyed his unlikely army. It wasn’t only the British soldiers stationed with him that caught his attention—it was a cadre of young boys, the Mafeking Cadet Corps, carrying messages and supplies…

Matt Gidney Jan 22, 2025

In The News, Trail Life USA, Service, Leadership

Boots on the Ground: Trail Life Volunteers provide vital aid to people impacted by LA Fires

Amid the smoke and chaos of the wildfires raging through Los Angeles, with entire neighborhoods reduced to ashes and families torn from their homes, a group of Trail Life volunteers stood in the gap, bringing hope to desperate people in need. On Saturday, January 11, as fire crews battled the…