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.

What if the thing that drives you crazy about your son… is actually one of his greatest God-given strengths?

Op-ed by Trail Life CEO, Mark Hancock, published by TownHall.com on May 18, 2025 On April 29, Meta launched a suite of AI tools designed to seamlessly blend into daily life. Ask a question in WhatsApp — Meta AI answers. Search on Instagram — it suggests. Use your Ray-Ban smart glasses — they see and respond, ...

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.

Let Boys Be Boys There was a time when boyhood was an untamed, unhurried thing. When creek beds turned into racetracks for hand-carved boats, the tops of hay bales became mountain peaks to be conquered, and backyard disputes ended in a wrestling match and a handshake.

There's No Offseason for Adventure When the world falls asleep beneath a blanket of snow, when bears slumber in their dens and squirrels hunker down, waiting for warmer days—boys see something different. To them, winter is a blank canvas for adventure.

The rain started the night before, a steady drumbeat on the tents that turned the ground into a quagmire by morning. But no amount of mud was going to dampen the spirits of the Trailmen. This was the Yukon Adventure—one of Trail Life’s longest-running and most challenging events—and they had come prepared.

“I can do it.” These simple words carry an incredible weight, shaping character and preparing young boys to navigate life’s inevitable challenges. In an age where instant gratification and constant comfort are readily available, instilling grit and resilience in our sons has never been more important.

During the summer season, families make vacation plans with a singular aim: to get outside. And it’s little wonder why. In a culture where the day-to-day business is conducted inside and dominated by devices offering synthetic experiences, Americans are recognizing the value in genuinely connecting with people and the ...