Trail Life USA is a growing organization that aims to provide positive role models for boys and young men, training them to be leaders in today’s world. Founded in 2013 as an alternative to the Boy Scouts of America, Trail Life USA now boasts 60,000 members and offers boys opportunities to engage in outdoor adventures while instilling a biblical foundation with male mentors. Mark Hancock, CEO of the organization, highlighted the importance of male role models for boys, especially in a society where many lack a father figure at home and most teachers are women.
The organization’s growth is attributed in part to fathers who volunteer as leaders for their sons, as well as men who are concerned about guiding the next generation of young men. Hancock shared a story of a young man from California, raised by a single mother, who credited Trail Life USA for teaching him important skills like shaving and instilling a love for Jesus. This highlights the impact of male mentors in the organization on the development of young men.
Trail Life USA is proudly Christian and has over 1,200 troops in churches across the United States, welcoming various denominations of Christianity that align with its faith and values. The organization emphasizes teaching character and leadership based on biblical principles, as Hancock believes a foundation of truth is necessary to instill these values effectively.
As Trail Life USA continues to grow steadily, the Boy Scouts of America has undergone significant changes over the years, such as allowing homosexual scouts and girls to join troops. The most recent change, renaming the organization to “Scouting America,” was met with mixed reactions from Trail Life USA, with Hancock expressing disappointment over the rebranding. The Boy Scouts of America declined to comment on Hancock’s remarks.
