Second Trail Life USA Parent Interest Meeting, Trail Life Launch Email
January 2, 2014 News
The St. Raymond of Penafort Trail Life USA Troop held an initial interest meeting on 16 December 2013. Despite the short notice more than ten families attended and there are more than 25 boys potentially interested in joining the new troop.
To accomodate parents that were unable to attend the first interest meeting, the St. Raymond of Penafort Trail Life USA Troop will host a second information meeting for interested parents on Wednesday, January 8 at 7:30 PM in the Parish Hall at St. Raymond of Penafort Catholic Church, 8750 Pohick Road, Springfield, VA.
Trail Life USA is a Christian adventure, character, and leadership program for boys in grades K-12; centers on outdoor experiences that build a young man’s skills; and allows him to grow as a role model and leader for his peers. Please contact Keith Oswald or Vince Drouillard at TrailLifeUSA@straymonds.org for more information.
Please see the official Launch of Trail Life USA email below.
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Launch of Trail Life USA
For Immediate Release
Wednesday, January 2, 2014
MEDIA ADVISORY:
TRAIL LIFE USA CHRISTIAN ALTERNATIVE TO THE BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA LAUNCHED JANUARY 1, 2014
Orlando, FL – On Wednesday, January 1, 2014, Trail Life USA (TLUSA) officially launched its outdoor adventure program for boys and young men nationwide. TLUSA is a Christian scouting-like program for boys and young men ages 5-24. The program focuses on outdoor adventure, character, and leadership and is starting with approximately 500 troops in 42 states.
Trail Life USA is being birthed on the same day that the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) officially implements its new membership policy of allowing “open and avowed” homosexual youth in their program. Around 60% of the new members of TLUSA are former members of the BSA and 40% have no BSA background.
Adults members of TLUSA are required to sign a Christian statement of faith and values, undergo Child and Youth Safety Protection Training, submit to background checks, and provide letters of recommendation from pastors that know the applicants.
However, the program will have an inclusion policy for youth members and will welcome families with boys from all faiths (or no faith) to participate in this unapologetically Christian outdoor adventure program.
TLUSA Chief Operating Officer, Mark Hancock, commented, “We could not be more excited about the organic growth and the explosion of interest we are seeing every day all across the country. There is a real need for a program that parents can trust to help them guide their sons to honor God, lead with integrity, serve others, and experience outdoor adventure.
Chairman of the TLUSA Board, John Stemberger, is an Eagle Scout and a former scoutmaster with the BSA. He had two sons in Boy Scouts last year and removed them from the program. Describing the Trail Life USA program to parents and pastors Stemberger has stated, “This is not another church program to compete with Bible studies or youth groups. TLUSA is a masculine outdoor program that has the potential to change a young man’s life forever. Boys will love the fun and adventure-parents will love the focus on character and leadership.”
For more information, or to sign up to become a member or leader within Trail Life USA, go to www.TrailLifeUSA.com.