Stephen Ashton

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.
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Stephen Ashton

Mentoring Parenting

The Outdoor Son of God

"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.
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Dennis Rainey

Mentoring Parenting Masculinity

A Call to Courageous Manhood

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 ...
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Daniel Huerta - Focus on the Family

Mentoring Parenting

Everyday Heroes

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 ...
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Stephen Ashton

Mentoring Masculinity

Christmas Masculinity

Christmas is a remarkable 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?
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Ryan Sanders

Mentoring Parenting

Overcoming 3 Obstacles to Raising Godly Boys

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 ...
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Charles Livingston

Mentoring Leadership

Servant Leadership: The Pinnacle of a Trail Life Freedom Journey

“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.”
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Bill Holland

Mentoring Parenting Masculinity

Mentoring, Fatherly Affirmation, and Trail Life USA

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 ...
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Stephen Ashton

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 competitor. Click ...
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