Trail Life Troop IL-1613
Village Bible Church | Sugar Grove, IL
Vision of Trail Life
More than ever, boys need a uniquely masculine program where their assertive, audacious, and adventurous nature is celebrated, not sequestered.
Let Boys Be Boys
Too many boys are turning to virtual worlds of television, video games, digital media, and the internet to find realms they can conquer and areas where they can excel. The result of this virtual conquest is often apathy, apparent rebellion, or outright resistance to real-world challenge.
Trail Life USA is an environment where boys thrive! Adults are equipped to lead a program in a structured outdoor environment where boys are engaged in real-world challenge and experience camping, hiking, and fishing; they develop skills in riflery, archery, and canoeing; and learn character and leadership in a practical hands-on manner that is naturally engaging.
In the outdoors, the experience of adults is never obsolete; boys find mentors, fathers and sons connect, important relationships are fostered, and boys find opportunity to achieve significant accomplishment.
Program Overview
Woodlands (K-5th grade)
Boys on the Woodlands Trail (ages 5-10) gain knowledge about outdoor skills, citizenship, character, friendship, and faith through fun activities, awards, and skill instruction.
The Woodlands Trail covers 7 'Branches' of learning: Heritage, Hobbies, Life Skills, Outdoor Skills, Science & Technology, Sports & Fitness, and Values. Each Branch consists of 3-5 'steps' that are covered at Troop Meetings. Each Branch will have a corresponding 'Hit the Trail (HTT),' a field trip outside of our normal Troop meeting that allows the boys to experience a new adventure.
Campouts, Public Museums, local Fire House tours, overnight stays on a submarine or at the Museum of Science and Industry are examples of potential HTTs. Trailmen can make up for missed meetings or missed HTTs by completing Family Home Activities (FHAs). The Trailman Handbook lists out the corresponding FHAs for each Patrol and Branch. Trailmen can earn the Worthy Life Award by participating in their Patrol's Bible Study and completing the appropriate spiritual disciplines like Bible memory.
Fox Patrol (5 & 6-year-olds) - must be 5 years old by 10/31
We do require a parent to accompany their Fox Trailman at all meetings & events.
Hawk Patrol (7 & 8-year-olds)
Mountain Lion Patrol (9 & 10-year-olds)
Navigators (6th-8th grade)
As Navigators, boys age 11-13 gain understanding of their values and beliefs under the guidance of godly male role models through being responsible in outdoor adventures and in their home and school life. They explore areas of interest and earn Trail Badges for advancement. Skills universally needed for godly manhood are developed through required Trail Badges: Aquatics, Camping, Fire Ranger, First Aid, Our Flag, Outdoor Cooking, Ropework, Trail Skills, and Wood Tools. Elective Trail Badges help a Trailman explore unique areas of gifting and come to understand the way God has specially created him.
Adventurers (9th-12th grade)
As Adventurers, young men ages 14-18 mature in wisdom and faith through more difficult challenges and leadership activities with Christian men walking alongside. They plan and lead outdoor events and large projects while exercising leadership positions in the Troop, even mentoring some of the younger Trailmen. Adventurers are challenged with more advanced required Trail Badges: Citizenship, Emergency Preparedness, FamilyMan, Fitness, Outdoor Life, & Personal Resources.
FOX PATROL
5-6 Year Olds
HAWK PATROL
7-8 Year Olds
MOUNTAIN LION PATROL
9-10 Year Olds
NAVIGATORS
6th - 8th Grade
Adventurers
9th - 12th Grade
Youth Safety - 1, 2, 3
- No One on One: Adults will never be in a one-on-one situation with anyone other than their own son
- Two Deep Leadership: We always have 2 approved Trail Life Leaders at every event, group, gathering
- Three Trailmen together: Trailmen are always in groups of at least 3 Trailmen
Fees & Expenses
Troop Fees
- Troop Dues: $150/Trailman - Contributes to the Troop funds that go towards supplies, badges, patches, etc. Hardship scholarships are available, and do not miss the $100 parental involvement discount below.
- Uniform: $46 - $48 - All Trailmen wear the same Class A uniform. We recommend going a size or two larger so your son can wear it for several years.
- Trailman Handbook: $17 - One Handbook for Woodlands, and one Handbook for Navigators/Adventurers.
Trail Life USA Membership Fee
Annual membership: $42.98/Trailman - this goes to the Trail Life USA Home Office for program development, training, insurance, etc. Paid directly to Trail Life USA through Trail Life Connect.
Event Fees
Each event has its own fee to cover the cost. For example, weekend campouts are about $25-$30/person, which includes 5 meals, the site fee, and supplies for any activities.
Adult Volunteer Fees
Adult volunteer fees are dependent on the position. Some may need to maintain a Trail Life USA membership ($46.55/year), and Trail Guides will need to purchase a Trail Life uniform. Adult uniforms are $25.00 as the Troop picks up 50% of the cost.
Parental Involvement
Though we are not mandating parents/adults serve in the Troop, we highly encourage it! Trail Life exists in part to strengthen bonds between father/mentors and sons and to cultivate a community of Godly men who support and guide each other. Some roles have direct contact with the Trailmen and other roles are behind the scenes. We also understand volunteering is not feasible for everyone. Parents/adults who serve in a volunteer role will receive a $100 per Trailman discount on their Troop dues.
Direct Contact Leaders & Trail Guides
Volunteer positions that will be working directly with the Trailmen are reserved for men who can be fully approved as Village Bible Church & Trail Life volunteers (VBC volunteer application & reference check, background check, complete MinistrySafe's Sexual Abuse Awareness Training course, complete TLUSA Child Safety & Youth Protection Training, maintain a $46.55/year Trail Life USA membership, and purchase the $25 Troop uniform).
- Assistant Chaplain - Assists the Chaplain in the spiritual development of the Trailmen
- Advisor- Oversee and lead the Adventurer Patrols
- Trail Master - Oversee and lead the Navigator Patrols
- Ranger - Oversee and lead the Woodland Trail Patrols
- Trail Guide (Unlimited spots available) - Commit to attend and assist the Advisor, Trail Master, or Ranger in delivering the Troop program at the Thursday night Troop Meetings.
- Registered Adult - A dad who is unable to commit to Troop meetings but wants to assist with the implementation of the program at Hit the Trails, Campouts, and other Troop events.
Troop Committee Volunteers
These roles can be filled by any adult, but becoming a Trail Life approved volunteer is required. Becoming a TL USA approved volunteer includes VBC volunteer application & reference check, background check, MinistrySafe's Sexual Abuse Awareness Training course, complete TLUSA Child Safety & Youth Protection Training,, and maintain a $46.55/year Trail Life USA membership.
- Advancement Chair - Reports to Committee Chair as a member of the Troop Committee. Works with Trail Guides for advancement record keeping, securing appropriate Badges/Patches/Pins, and leading the Court of Honor Planning Team.
- Community Service Chair - Reports to the Committee Chair as a member of the Troop Committee. Leads the Service Committee and coordinates regular community service efforts.
- Health & Safety Chair - Reports to Committee Chair as a member of the Troop Committee. Keeps everyone up to date on Trail Life & VBC's policies and procedures. Maintains current and comprehensive knowledge of Health & Safety Guide and related documents.
- Membership Chair - Reports to Committee Chair as a member of the Troop Committee. Leads the Membership team, coordinating regular recruiting of new members and enacting plans to retain current member families.
- Outdoor/Activities Chair - Reports to Committee Chair as a member of the Troop Committee. Researches and secures permission to use camping sites or other outdoor locations for planned activities. Works with TroopMaster & Outdoor/Activities Coordinators to ensure a robust monthly outdoor program for all levels. Oversees planning of Trail Life Grand Prix.
- Communications Chair - Reports to Committee Chair as a member of the Troop Committee. Handles email communication to Troop families as well as communicates with VBC staff to maintain TLC Calendar and Troop website.
- Equipment Coordinator - Reports to Committee Chair as a member of the Troop Committee. Works with the youth Quartermaster and is responsible for inventory, storage, and maintenance of the Troop Trailer, supplies, & equipment.
Non-direct Contact Volunteer
These roles can be filled by any adult, as they do not have direct contact with the Trailmen.
- Court of Honor Planning Team - Reports to the Advancement Chair, assisting with the planning of the Court of Honor celebrations. Arrive early to assist with set-up, coordinate refreshments, and handle tear-down.
- Community Service Project Coordinator - Reports to the Community Service Chair, assisting with the planning of regular community service efforts.
- Onboarding Coordinator - Reports to the Membership Chair. Welcomes new families, helps process new Trailman paperwork, connects them with other Trail Life families, and assimilates them into the life of the Troop.
- Retention & Care Coordinator - Reports to the Membership Chair. Caring for the needs of Troop families. Finding ways to serve Troop families by reaching out to those who may have missed a meeting.
- Volunteer Recruitment - Works with TroopMaster and Committee Chair to recruit Trail Guides & Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) from outside of the Troop. Former Eagle Scouts in the church, grandfathers, uncles, etc.
- Outdoor/Activities Coordinator - Reports to the Outdoor/Activities Chair, assisting with the planning of outdoor activities & securing the necessary groceries, firewood, and supplies. Assists with the execution of Trail Life Grand Prix.
- Summer Adventure Coordinator - Coordinates the Summer Adventure Trip for Navigators/Adventurers. Works with the Trailman's Officer Committee to research, plan, and execute the summer trip.
