Our Charter began in October of 2019, but like most organizations, found the year 2020 to be difficult. With our re-charter, in the Autumn of 2020, we had a renewing of spirit.
Our troop is a ministry of River City Church, our Charter, in Debary, FL.
We believe that God created the perfect classroom, through outdoor adventure, to build character in a young man's life. We also believe that this program should be more than just be a safe harbor for boys from the "thorns" of worldly morality, as that will not be enough to set boy's feet on the correct path. This means that our goal is to do more than simply include a nice little scripture verse to go with each life skill lesson that is taught. We want to sow deeper into good soil, of a boy's life, rather than sowing into "stony ground". (Matt 13:3-9, 18-23)
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Our goal is using God's beautiful outdoor creation to build both body and spirit, to spur hunger for the Word, and open up understanding to scriptures for Christ-living to the boys. Our business is in building up young men, through both civic and bushcraft lessons to gain knowledge, by hands-on application of those lessons to gain understanding, and through inspiring the boys to lead, gain wisdom.
This is neither a church youth group nor is it a scouting organization. It is, very much, something different. . .
We are Trailmen!
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Our trail is physical, mental, emotional, and moral development:
Physical: Our hands get dirty & calloused, our muscles sore & strong, and mud and sweat are very familiar.
Mental: Our ability to use bushcrafting skills in the wild and to know why we honor and respect our heritage, will stay with us through our entire lives.
Emotional: We strive to believe in ourselves and learn how to take on daily social interactions with confidence and empathy.
Moral: We test our ability to know what is right and true, so that our feet are always on the correct path by seeking God, even when we find ourselves in troubled times.
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We strongly encourage dads to play an active role in weekly meetings and special events. We also welcome other adult male family members, in the boy's life, such as grandfathers, uncles, or brothers. For families where that is not an option, our leaders and other dads will help fill that role.
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"Trail Life USA welcomes boys of any faith—or no faith at all. However, all materials and activities consistently emphasize our Christian worldview and our hope to make faithful disciples. For that reason, all adult members must ascribe and adhere to the TLUSA Statement of Faith and Values." *Trail Life USA Bylaws
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We Are ...
We Are . . .
Matthew 13
1 On the same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the sea.
2 And great multitudes were gathered together to Him, so that He got into a boat and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.
3 Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: “Behold, a sower went out to sow.
4 And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them.
5 Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth.
6 But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away.
7 And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them.
8 But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
9 He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”
18 “Therefore hear the parable of the sower:
19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside.
20 But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy;
21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles.
22 Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.
23 But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”