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.

Chill winds and dark nights? That just means roaring fires and tall tales. Bare trees? A better view from the mountaintop. Deep snowbanks and subzero temperatures? The perfect challenge to carve out an igloo fortress. Boys aren’t made to hibernate. They don’t wait for ideal conditions—they seize the moment, embrace the challenge, and collect stories of grit, courage, and camaraderie.

Some of the best stories come from those cold, wet nights—when fingers are numb, packs are heavy, and the wind howls through the trees. These are the moments boys remember: the times they braved the elements, pushed through exhaustion, and warmed up with a well-earned meal by the fire. It’s where character is forged, brotherhood is strengthened, and a sense of duty—to God and to others—is ingrained.

Trailmen know this. They’re the kind of boys who see winter as an invitation, not an obstacle. So, what exactly do Trailmen do in the winter?

Build Snow Shelters at Mt. Rainier in 10-Degree Temps

At Paradise on Mt. Rainier, Trailmen learned firsthand how to not just survive but thrive in the snow. They spent hours constructing snow shelters, carefully packing and carving them into solid structures capable of withstanding the frigid temperatures. Crawling into those shelters after a long day of work wasn’t just a lesson in cold-weather survival—it was a triumph. 

And the best part? A 100% survival rate!

Backpack in the Ice and Snow

What was supposed to be a straightforward backpacking trip quickly turned into an unexpected test of resilience. Ice on the forest road forced the NC-0834 Adventures patrol to park 1.5 miles short of their intended campsite—at 9 p.m., in the dark. Undeterred, their first officer devised a new plan: hike in as far as possible and find a suitable place to camp. They settled on an old logging road and set up for the night.

The next morning, they put their white gas stove to good use, cooking a hearty mountain man breakfast—eggs, vegetables, sausage, and cheese—all prepped ahead of time to make cooking in the cold easier. The boys had printed orienteering maps, but the change of plans the night before had taken them outside of map’s boundaries, forcing them to adapt. They managed to use digital maps to find an alternative route to their intended destination at the top of Cole Mountain, completely avoiding the icy road into the wilderness area.  

With temperatures dipping to 18°F and winds whipping at 20 mph, every bit of preparation counted. Saturday night, they dry-camped, managing water supplies carefully. Dinner? Spaghetti with pre-prepped meat sauce, served cold over hot pasta—minimal cleanup, maximum energy for the final morning’s 3-mile trek back to the van.

Build Giant Bonfires and Go Sledding

Minnesota winters are no joke, but that didn’t stop Trailmen from Troop MN-3368 from making the most of it. Campfire cooking? Check. Sledding? Absolutely. A bonfire big enough to warm up the whole Troop? You bet. They turned the freezing temps into a weekend of laughter, adventure, and memories that will last a lifetime.

Go Ice Fishing

Troop MI-0050 took to the ice for one of their favorite winter traditions—ice fishing. With holes drilled and lines dropped, they huddled together, watching and waiting. There’s something about sitting on a frozen lake, bundled up against the cold, that makes a boy feel like a true outdoorsman. And this year, there was finally enough ice to make the outing a success!

Compete in Epic Yukon Adventures

At the Laurel Highlands Area Yukon Adventure in Pennsylvania, Trailmen braved bitter cold temps for a day filled with challenges, teamwork, and brotherhood. With 42 Trailmen and 29 adults representing multiple Troops, the competition was intense, the teamwork inspiring, and the memories unforgettable.

Whether hauling sleds, testing their winter survival skills, or engaging in friendly rivalry, these Trailmen walked away knowing they had faced the cold and conquered it together.

Boys were made for adventure. They were made to push boundaries, test their limits, and embrace the wild—especially when the world seems to tell them to stay inside.

So the next time you see snow piling up and hear the wind howling outside, don’t think of it as a reason to stay in. Think of it as an invitation. An invitation to step out, to embrace the challenge, and to make memories that will last a lifetime.

Because Trailmen don’t just endure winter—they own it.