Trail Life USA Blog

Let boys be boys

Mark Hancock Jun 07, 2021

Mentoring, Let Boys be Boys, Masculinity

Be a Real Life Hero

Boys need heroes. Until recently, boys grew up emulating real-life heroes who seemed larger than life. Coonskin caps and six-shooters were the uniforms of boyhood. Boys were enthralled with tales about Teddy Roosevelt, John Glenn, and Davy Crockett. Flannelgraph images taught us about the courage…

Stephen Ashton Mar 17, 2021

Let Boys be Boys

Let Boys be Boys Homeschool Edition

Biologically, boys and girls are different. And, let’s face it…generally speaking, teaching girls is easier. Across the country, more and more parents are making the decision to homeschool. Parents are realizing virtual learning, additional screen time, and new school regulations are not conducive…

Alan Beck Feb 24, 2021

Let Boys be Boys, Masculinity

What is a Boy?

Between the innocence of babyhood and the dignity of manhood we find a delightful creature called a boy. Boys come in assorted sizes, weights, and colors, but all boys have the same creed: to enjoy every second of every minute of every hour of every day and to protest with noise (their only weapon)…

Stephen Ashton Feb 22, 2021

Mentoring, Let Boys be Boys, Masculinity

Letting Boys be Boys in a “Toxic” Culture

No matter what our culture says, boys and girls are different. Discussions about “toxic masculinity,” a blurring of gender lines, fewer and fewer fathers in the home, and the watering down or extinction of programs that train and equip boys to become men have left too many boys frustrated, fearful,…

Stephen Ashton Feb 14, 2021

Parenting, Let Boys be Boys, History

Herbert Hoover: A Boy's Bill of Rights

There are two jobs for American boys today. One is being a boy. The other is growing up to be a man. Both jobs are important. Both are packed with excitement, great undertakings, and high adventure.

Stephen Ashton Oct 28, 2020

Let Boys be Boys, Troop Adventures, Troop

Jim's Daniel Boone Friction Flamed Coffee

The boys came prepared in teams of four for a highlight challenge of the Daniel Boone Base Camp Event. Each year Trailmen compete to build a fire tall enough to burn a marker string, boil water, and steep coffee for their Troopmaster to drink. This year, however the planning team added a twist. The…

Mark Hancock Aug 19, 2020

In The News, Let Boys be Boys

Could COVID be Inspiration for the Next 'Greatest Generation?'

As parents, we have a choice to teach our boys to live in fear or teach them to rise above life’s challenges and act in faith. COVID-19 has added many obstacles to boys getting together to do the things they love. But right now, our boys don’t need to hear more “you can’t do XYZ.” They need…

Stephen Ashton Mar 30, 2020

Mentoring, Parenting, Let Boys be Boys, Masculinity

3 Keys to Growing Confident Men of Character

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.

Stephen Ashton Jul 12, 2019

Mentoring, Let Boys be Boys

What a Boy Needs

Trail Life USA ® CEO Mark Hancock talks about the differences between boys and girls and the need to have boy-specific activities in scouting. Trail Life USA, he explains, is a boy-focused scouting organization that gives boys plenty of outdoor activities to challenge them and call out their inner…