A Men's Ministry That Starts at Age Five
Guiding boys into biblical manhood through adventure, character, and leadership.
Partnering to build Men
all 50 states
1,500+ Churches
70,000+ Trailmen
Friends of Trail Life
Our Troop carries our heart... our vision... and our church DNA.
Greg | Family Pastor and Trailman
A Ministry Built for Church - and the Men in It.
We do the
heavy lifting.
New to outdoor skills like camping and hiking? No problem!
We equip churches and Troop leaders with step-by-step guides as well as online and in-person training to mentor boys to Godly manhood.
Over 1,500 pastors choose Trail Life for their church.
The largest Christian organization exclusively for boys.
Trail Life is a ministry platform that helps churches reach families, build leaders, and call boys to biblical manhood.
Trail Life is where boys thrive!
Boys 5-17 are engaged in a Troop setting by male mentors where they are challenged to grow in character, understand their purpose, serve their community, and develop skills to carry out the mission for which they were created.
Downloadable Resources
You're Part of This Movement
PHASE 1: SPREAD THE WORD
PHASE 2: ESTABLISH YOUR CHARTER
PHASE 3: THE ADVENTURE BEGINS
Introduction: Trail Life Launch Pack
FAQs
What is Trail Life’s mission?
Our Vision is to be the premier character development organization for young men which produces Godly husbands, fathers, and citizens.
Our Mission is to guide generations of courageous young men to honor God, lead with integrity, serve others, and experience outdoor adventure.
How will Trail Life impact my church?
Trail Life has a proven process for growing boys into godly men, while also creating an engaging outreach opportunity and call to action for the men in your church.
Click here for the White Paper.
How can I share with the men in my church?
We usually recommend getting a group of men together that are already involved with men’s ministry, discipleship for young men, or who are avid outdoorsmen.
Have coffee or a campfire – Gather interested men for a casual meeting to share the mission and vision of Trail Life, and how it fits into your vision of raising up courageous men in your church.
Share this page – These shareables are a great way to give an overview of Trail Life’s purpose. We also have one specifically for parents here: https://www.thetrail.life/go
Engage in prayer and fellowship – spend time praying together for guidance and unity in launching a Troop while fostering a strong bond among the group.
How often do Troops meet?
Typically, Troops meet once a week for about eight to nine months of the year.
However, your Troop will set their own meeting schedule based on what works best for your church.
What does a Troop meeting typically look like?
Typical Troop meetings are designed to be active, fun, and are always better outdoors (space and weather permitting).
They will generally follow a similar flow:
- An opening ceremony
- Troop-wide announcements and devotion
- Patrol-specific breakout activities
- Troop-wide game or activity
- Biblical connections and a closing ceremony
Older Trailmen will often teach the younger Trailmen a Badge or skill at meetings and outdoor activities.
What if our church doesn’t have access to outdoor space — can we still start a Troop?
Yes. While outdoor adventure is central to Trail Life, you don’t need on-site land to run a successful Troop. Many families are actively looking for ways to get their sons outside and connected to nature — and Trail Life helps meet that need.
Churches can:
- Use nearby parks or public lands
- Partner for outdoor access
- Plan monthly or quarterly outings
Weekly meetings can happen on-site, while outdoor experiences are built in — giving boys meaningful opportunities to explore and grow, even in urban settings.
How does a boy become a member?
Boys will join your church’s Trail Life troop once it is launched and open for registration. As you move through the launch process, your Area Team will guide you on how and when to begin inviting and registering families.
In the meantime, if families express interest, you can begin collecting contact information and sharing updates as your Troop prepares to launch. You’ll be equipped with the tools and support needed to successfully recruit and onboard families into your new Troop.
How old does a boy need to be to join?
Youth membership is open to all boys at least 5 years old and less than 18 years of age.
Trailmen are expected to advance through the program with other Trailmen their age.
How involved do parents need to be?
Parents are encouraged to take an active role alongside their son(s), whether by attending meetings, completing in-home activities, teaching a specific skill at a meeting or campout, or just providing encouragement.
We encourage parents to become Registered Adults so they can provide additional support for their son(s) and Troop when needed.
Can a boy still join if his Dad is not in
Absolutely.
Whether dad is permanently or temporarily out of the picture, any boy is welcome at any Trail Life Troop. There, he will find mentors and a band of brothers to help him along his journey to manhood.
How much does it cost for a boy to join a Troop?
The Trail Life youth membership fee is $42.98 per year.
This fee is paid directly to Trail Life upon joining and annually thereafter. Additional charges could include uniform costs, handbook costs, and/or Troop activity fees. Troops are encouraged to fundraise to minimize any additional costs to families.
Adult members pay an annual membership fee of $46.55. The higher amount covers the costs of periodic criminal background checks, supplemental evaluation processes, and youth protection training for adult members.
Are there uniforms?
Yes. A full Troop uniform isn’t required to get started, but Trailmen should plan to obtain one soon. Three uniform options are available in the Trail Life store. Troop leaders determine which uniform options work best for their Troop’s planned activities.
Click here to check out our gear.
Do you have additional resources?
Yes! Here are some resources to help you learn more and share the vision with your church.
Stories From Men in the Field
Check out these videos of dads sharing the impact Trail Life has had on them and their sons. Visit our YouTube page for more content like this.
Troop Leaders Sharing Their Stories
Pastor Discusses His Troop’s Impact
Empowering Boys
Read our free eBooks that address the needs boys face today and strategies to empower them.
Let Boys be Boys
Raising Godly Boys
Recruiting Troop Members
Explore our resource page, filled with the materials you need to recruit new members and grow your Troop.
Join the Adventure Resources
Samples From Our Handbooks
Our handbooks will take you on a deep dive into the Trail Life program, filled with information about various ranks and badges, as well as skills instruction and even illustrated stories for our youngest Trailmen.
Woodlands Trail
Navigators & Adventurers
Parent & Leader Guide
My Church is ready to go… now what?
Complete the following:
- Start the Ministry Alignment Call by clicking here.
- Sign the Charter Organization Ministry Agreement
- Pay First-Year Charter Fee & Launch Your Troop
Once you complete these steps, we’ll schedule a Handshake Call with you and your local area team, who will guide and support your new Troop to get off the ground.
What is the Handshake Call — and why is it
important?
important?
The Handshake Call is the moment where your church is personally connected with the local Trail Life leaders who will walk alongside you as you launch your Troop.
It ensures a smooth transition from the home office staff who helped you explore Trail Life to the local boots-on-the-ground leaders who will support your church long-term. Rather than simply passing information along, we intentionally create a live introduction so relationships begin with clarity, encouragement, and shared vision.
This call allows everyone to align on the mission, the timeline, and the practical steps needed to successfully launch a thriving Troop. Most importantly, it ensures your church is fully supported by experienced leaders who understand both Trail Life and the unique dynamics of ministry within the local church.
What happens during the Handshake Call?
During the call, we:
- Introduce you to the regional Trail Life leaders who will support your Troop
- Clarify the simple steps remaining to complete your charter
- Provide guidance on the first 60–90 days of launch
- Answer any remaining questions from your leadership team
- Ensure you know exactly what support and resources are available
You will meet leaders who have helped many churches successfully launch Trail Life Troops and who will remain available as ongoing partners.