FAQ and Introduction to Trail Life TN-0747

TRAIL LIFE TN-0747 FAQ AND INTRO

TROOP TN-0747 FAQ What is Trail Life USA (TLUSA)? When does Troop TN-0747 meet? Our weekly gatherings occur Mondays at 6:30-8:00pm Woodlands Trail have approx. 3-4 elective weekend campouts and 3-4 elective Saturday events (fun, instructive, or service focus) annually Navigators and Adventures have approx. 8-9 elective weekend campouts and 3-4 elective Saturday events (fun, instructive, or service focus) annually A Christ-centered, boy-focused outdoor adventure character development program Our primary focus is godly discipleship and investment in the next generation of male Christian leaders; outdoor adventure is a primary means to that end Find more info at www.traillifeusa.com/statement-of-faith How much does membership cost? Who can be part of Trail Life USA? National annual dues: $30 for each Trailman (payable via Trail Life Connect) Local annual dues: $90 for first Trailman in a family; $60 for each additional Trailman in the same family Campouts and elective events are typically $10-20 per attendee - total costs depend in part on the success of our annual fundraising campaign K-12 boys plus their dads / grandfathers / male guardians Moms can be involved too! - but TLUSA is primarily designed to be male mentor driven and led Active involvement from parents is strongly encouraged - TN-0747 has always benefited from a relatively small percentage of "drop off" Trailmen What should I expect at a Monday evening meeting? How is Troop TN-0747 organized? Check in your Trailman at the Info Table Opening ceremony Patrol breakout meetings Open time / organized games Check out your Trailman at the Info Table Certain activities include the whole troop, but for the most part learning, events, and activities are organized in three Patrols: Woodlands Trail - K-5 Navigators - 6-8 Adventurers - 9-12 2

Anything else? TROOP TN-0747 FAQ What uniforms do I need and how do I order them? Serving others is a cornerstone of godly manliness; therefore, our troop seeks to provide opportunities for Trailmen to serve others (e.g., elderly, ministries, state parks) on a regular basis We have a troop-wide fundraising campaign each autumn - the more each Trailman earns, the more the troop can offer re: events and adventures, plus the more event costs are offset TLUSA is an uniformed organization but we are also sensitive to family budgets; we don't strictly require uniforms on a weekly basis. If you would like to peruse the troop locker of extra shirts, uniforms, etc., please let our leadership know New Trailman Package A ($50): https://shop.traillifeusa.com/shop/uniforms/troop-uniform/new-trailman-package-a/ Navigators / Adventurers handbook ($17): https://shop.traillifeusa.com/shop/program-materials/add-materials/the-trailmans-handbook/ What information will the troop provide to my family? What is your sick policy? If anyone in your family has COVID-19, the flu, or a stomach bug, please keep your entire family home If you or your Trailman have had any of the below symptoms in the 24 hours leading up to a TN-0747 event, please stay home: Fever (100.3 F or higher), coughing, difficulty breathing, wheezing, persistent crying, lethargy, diarrhea, vomiting, any sort of rash, pink eye, scabies, head lice, strep, etc. Troop TN-0747 is following the lead of our host church re: COVID-19 We will humbly seek to approach this topic from the viewpoint of compassionate Christ-like service and not as any political statement We will encourage common sense measures but leave specific decisions re: PPE to each family If the answer is "yes" to any of the below questions, please stay home from a TN-0747 event: Have you had close contact with any individual with a suspected or confirmed COVID-19 case? Are you experiencing a cough, shortness of breath, or sore throat? Have you experienced a new loss of taste or smell? Have you experienced vomiting or diarrhea in the past 24 hours? Have you or a household member had a temperature that was 100.3 F or higher in the past 72 hours? Weekly e-newsletter with announcements, events, and things to know Troop calendar for the academic year with indicated breaks, campout weekends, etc. Troop handbook List of recommended gear for various campouts and events What information will the troop need from my family? Registration on Trail Life Connect Parent initial registration https://www.traillifeconnect.com/register/tkfkmcypfdcy Addition of each Trailman in family profile (including birthdate and grade) Completed medical forms for each Trailman and dad Signed Trailman Commitment Form Signed Leadership Commitment Form (if applicable) 3

TROOP STRUCTURE Woodlands Trail (K-5) Patrols Foxes (K-1) (or 5 years old by 10/31) Hawks (2-3) (or 7 years old by 10/31) Mountain Lions (4-5) (or 9 years old by 10/31) Navigators (6-8) (or 9 years old by 10/31) Adventurers (9-12) (or 14 years old by 10/31) 4

ADVANCEMENT: WOODLANDS TRAIL While the Woodlands Trail Program includes numerous awards, acquiring awards is not its goal. Meetings and outdoor activities are used to inspire the heart and mind, convey essential life skills, and reinforce the good news of Jesus Christ. Therefore, advancement at this level is based primarily on participation (not the same as mere attendance!). Branch Patch and Pins Branch Patch is earned upon joining or moving up patrols. Branch Pins are then earned via participation in 7 focus areas: Heritage, Hobbies, Life Skills, Sports and Fitness, Outdoor Skills, Science and Technology, Values Forest Award and Sylvan Stars The Forest Award is earned by earning the 7 different Branch Pins for the Branch Patch, typically in one program year. A Trailman who receives his Forest Award is eligible to earn Sylvan Stars through continued participation in the program within his age group. 5

ADVANCEMENT: NAVIGATORS Advancement at this level is more challenging, customizable, and self-motivated, keeping with the boys growing capabilities and the objective of them taking a stronger leadership role in their own lives and within the troop. 6

ADVANCEMENT: ADVENTURERS Advancement at this level is geared toward earning specific awards, each progressively the most challenging within Trail Life, keeping with a young man s strong potential and his fulfillment found in overcoming the largest of obstacles. 7

TN-0747 LEADERSHIP Board Troop Ministry Liaison Michael Hastings mwh_67@bellsouth.net John Burkitt traillifeusa@att.net James Neville redhorsesquadron@gmail.com James Garner j_r_garner@yahoo.com Allan Douglas adouglas101@outlook.com Navigators (6-8) / Adventurers (9-12) Trailmaster Doug Rogers doug@ibabenefits.net Scott Richardson Brandon Blair Kris Thurman Jon David Adnevik Chaplain Trail Guide Committee Chair Treasurer Troopmaster Woodlands Trail (K-5) Other Leadership Roles John Burkitt traillifeusa@att.net Josh Oakley Matt Lyles Adam Birdwell Ranger Advancement Chair Fundraising Chair Onboarding Chair Membership Chair Scott Richardson Kris Thurman Allan Douglas Kris Thurman Mountain Lion (4-5th) Patrol Leader Hawk (2-3rd) Patrol Leader Fox (K-1st) Patrol Leader First point of contact: Allan Douglas (Troopmaster) | 615.513.4554 | adouglas101@outlook.com 8