About the Woodlands Program
THE WOODLANDS TRAIL PROGRAM
Boys on the Woodlands Trail (age 5-10) gain knowledge about outdoor skills, citizenship, character, friendship, and faith through fun activities, awards, and skill instruction.
Adventure is at the heart of the Trail Life USA program. Boys love hiking, camping, fishing, tree-climbing, story-telling, and s'mores around campfires. Weekly meetings are designed with that in mind. Held outside whenever possible, meetings are designed to delight the raucous, rowdy, unruly nature of a boy. Young Trailmen engage in hands-on experiences that develop character, deepen faith, and hone practical skills in the seven program branches (Outdoor Skills, Life Skills, Heritage, Hobbies, Values, Science & Technology, and Sports & Fitness).
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Boys also love patches, pins, and awards. Each week as boys meet in their patrols, they work on a Branch Step as part of a planned meeting or a "Hit the Trail!" adventure. As Branches are completed, pins are added to the Branch Patch. Each branch builds the structure of the Branch Patch boys wear on their uniform. In each patrol level, when all seven Branches are complete, boys earn The Forest Award.
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This program is a 2-year course of study for Trailmen in three age groups:​​
FOXES (ages 5-6)
Boys must be at least 5 years old. During this two-year program, Foxes are introduced to Trail Life USA, learn new skills, and have fun. Due to age, Foxes may only camp overnight with a parent, guardian, or other responsible adult
HAWKS (ages 7-8)
Boys are grouped together in the Hawk Patrol. Hawks learn quickly and demonstrate increased alertness and eagerness to contribute. Hawks typically camp with a parent, guardian, or other responsible adult.
MOUNTAIN LIONS (ages 9-10)
Mountain Lions show signs of greater independence, physical strength, and confidence, but still require strong adult guidance. Mountain Lions may camp with members of their patrol or with a parent, guardian, or other responsible adult.
Branch Patch
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When a boy qualifies to enter one of the Woodlands Trail program Patrols, he starts by earning his Joining Patch, also called the Branch Patch, for that group. (Fox, Hawk, or Mountain lion)
Branch pins are awarded upon the completion of each field of study and pinned to the associated color of the Branch Patch.
Branch pin awards, like the Branch Patch, come in different styles depending on the Woodlands unit;
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Bronze for Fox
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Silver for Hawks
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Gold for Mountain Lions
Upon completion of all 7 branches, Trailmen will have earned and will be awarded the Forest Award for their unit level.
FOREST AWARD BADGE
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Earned at each age group upon completion of all 7 Branches of the Branch Badge.
The Forest Patch, is generally, worked on in a boy's 2nd year of their unit, (Fox, Hawk, or Mountain Lion), but can be worked on during the end of their 1st year, after they have received it.
It is on this patch he will attach his Sylvan Stars to their associated colored stars on the patch.
Sylvan Stars are rewarded for the completion of each of the 7 branches, just like how Branch pins are earned.
Like Branch pins, Sylvan Stars come in different styles depending on the Woodlands unit;
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Bronze for Fox
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Silver for Hawks
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Gold for Mountain Lions
Program Branches
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Heritage Branch (Brown): An exploration of American Heritage, Christian Heritage, and a boy’s own Family Heritage. Emphasis is placed on upholding the finest traditions of the heritage we obtain from our forefathers.
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Life Skills Branch (Burgundy): Teaching life lessons ranging from the practical and mundane to higher-level interpersonal skill sets.
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Science and Technology Branch (Yellow): An exploration of physical and natural science concerning our created world.
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Hobbies Branch (Black): An exploration of various indoor and outdoor hobbies that demand varying levels of knowledge, skill, or aptitude.
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Values Branch (Red): Instilling Biblical-based values within the boys regarding any number of pertinent topics. The central focus of this branch is teachings of the Christian faith.
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Sports and Fitness Branch (Green): Having fun in the outdoors with sports and other activities.
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Outdoor Skills Branch (Blue): Gaining basic understanding of woodcraft, hiking, exploration, and camping skills.
Timberline Award
The Timberline Award is the highest award a Trailman can achieve in the Woodlands program. It was developed to celebrate a boy's entrance into the new world of Trail Life USA's Navigators program.
Just as the tall timbers stop at the Timberline's edge, so must a Mountain Lion's time stop in the Woodlands Trail program. As the Trailman proceeds on his individual path, he leaves the Woodlands Trail and embarks on a new trail of exploration and experiences. The Trailman leaves with many good wishes and prayers that he will continue to Walk Worthy with the God that created him, loves him, and guides him.
The Timberline patch is sewed center above the left pocket and remains throughout the trailman's Trail Life experience
Manhood Principles
There are four Manhood Principles and requirements for the Timberline Award:
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To live boldly and avoid being passive
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To live responsibly
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To lead courageously
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To live for the greater rewards of God
Worthy Life Award
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The most important special award within the Woodlands Trail program centers on faith. This award is titled the Worthy Life Award. Requirements are different for different age groups. The award is earned once within each age group, with the badge for the award changing as the boy advances to the next age group.
Crosses are awarded at each program level on completion of the Worthy Life Award requirements, with the first cross awarded along with the Worthy Life implement itself. It is worn on the left pocket and is permanent.
A Woodlands Trail Trailman can earn up to three crosses in his 6 program years. These crosses adorn the green ribbon. A fully-adorned Worthy Life Award will have 3 crosses on the green Woodlands Trail ribbon, one cross on the gray Navigators ribbon, and one cross on the blue Adventurers ribbon.
