Adventurers (9th-12th Grades)
Proverbs 24:3-4 (Wisdom)
Adventurers are high school-age teens (age 14-18 years) who are ready and willing to make big decisions. Where Navigators focus on ranks as they become capable outdoorsmen, Adventurers focus on ranks that represent increased independence and leadership skills.
While the younger age-level programs are much more structured and defined by specific program materials, the Adventurers program is purposely less structured and more flexible for older boys to customize according to their interests and goals.
A unique aspect of the Adventurers program is that different patrols can choose to engage in different program specialties. There is the potential to operate multiple Adventurers patrols as if they were separate units. For example, patrols might engage as a backpacking crew, high adventure enthusiasts, or water-based activities. The point is the boys at this age can work together socially in a group setting to determine their own interests as a group, and then pursue those interests in a very rewarding way.
The First Officer and Second Officer, as high-profile youth leaders, oversee the Adventurers program. Patrol Leaders are selected to head each patrol.
TRUE FREEDOM RANKS
Adventurers advance through these awards: Journey, Ascent, Horizon, and Freedom. A Trailman that has not yet completed Core Skills will begin their advancement on those ranks.
JOURNEY
A Trailman who receives this award is at the head of a higher Adventurers Trail, one of leadership. As he takes this trail, he must remember to take Christ as his guide – the way, the truth, and the light. You acknowledge that Christ must be a lamp unto your feet and a light unto your path. A Trailman now internalizes the four “selves” of good character: self-respect, self-control, self-reliance, and self-worth.
ASCENT
A Trailman that has reached this stage has now completed a significant number of True Freedom badges and also started with their initial Freedom Experience. They participate significantly in mentoring younger Trailmen and preparing for the trail ahead. This rank demonstrates leadership, service and significant participation in the activities of the Troop.
HORIZON
A Trailman receiving this award still looks back to the younger boys and helps them with their skills, but now looks ahead to the Freedom Award. His primary role is seeking to help the troop succeed and helping Freedom candidates with their Freedom service projects. At this stage, he should be extremely useful to the troop, demonstrating learned skills to younger Trailmen through teaching opportunities and learning valuable lessons about leadership and life that will pay off time and again when he is a man.
FREEDOM
The recipient of the Freedom Award understands and appreciates his freedom as a gift given all mankind by God. He also understands that the chance to enjoy that freedom was bought by the hard work, courage, and sacrifices of men just like him.
The Freedom Award is the highest award in Trail Life USA. It is an achievement accomplished by the few who reach the apex of the Trail Life Program. Earning the award requires a demonstrated mastery of a significant skill set including 15 required and 10 elective Trail Badges, performing 20 hours of servant service each year, and the distinction of having proven himself as a leader among his peers. He must also complete four “Freedom Experiences” in 3 separate chosen fields; complete a Faith Building Activity; budget, plan, and organize a volunteer team to compete a Servant Leadership Project; and complete an advancement conference and formal Freedom Board of Review. A full list of the requirements can be reviewed here.
On the Trail to Freedom, one of the most meaningful ways Trailmen come to understand their gifting is through serving. Service in the church and the community is a significant part of the Trail Life program. Outdoor adventure provides fertile ground for relationships to be fostered. As relationships grow, young men begin to learn skills and serve alongside their adult mentors. As Trailmen serve, they begin to find purpose and fulfillment. As Trailmen understand they were created by God for his glory, to be his hands and feet to others, they find fulfillment in service and begin to understand their gifting. As they use their gifts, they hone in on career and ministry paths that will set the tone for the rest of their life.
WORTHY LIFE AWARD
The Worthy Life Award is an integral part of the overall Trail Life discipleship process in the Trail Life program. For a Trailman to be eligible to earn the Freedom Award, he must first complete the following activity requirements as an Adventurer in four categories:
- Devotional – Engaging with spiritual truth in a regular transformative manner.
- Discipleship – Living your faith through service and learning about how others have done so.
- Discipline – Practicing intentional activities that result in spiritual growth like regular prayer, fasting, journaling, memorizing Scripture, attending church services, giving, and serving.
- Demonstration – Evaluating and sharing Worthy Life experiences with parents, Troop, and/or church.
For older boys in the Navigators and the Adventurers programs, focus moves from creating foundational knowledge to helping internalize his faith, integrate it as his worldview, live with integrity, share with intentionality, and use his spiritual gifts to impact others through service
To learn more about the requirements for this award, click here.
