Listed Below are a few FAQ's for you in 3 areas. "Contact Us" if you have any questions we can answer for you!
Trail Life USA & Grace Covenant Ministry
10/24 Q: Why is Grace Covenant Church changing the youth outdoor ministry program from the Boy Scouts of America to Trail Life USA?
A: Grace Covenant Church has a long and rich history of ministry to young people and has delivered an outstanding Scouting Program to young men for over 13 years. The church leadership is highly committed to the development of youth, and as a result of the change in membership standards on May 23, 2013 adopted by Boy Scouts of America, Grace Covenant Church will be making a change to partner with Trail Life USA effective 1/1/2014 and is now chartering Trail Life USA Troop NC-7777.
10/24 Q: Why Trail Life USA?
A: Founded on Christian principles and operating from a Christian world view, the Trail Life USA program offers a dynamic faith-based outdoor adventure program that places an emphasis on character development, leadership and moral purity with a goal of building men of faith and character who will become godly husbands, fathers and citizens.
10/24 Q: How does faith factor into the program?
A: As a Christ-centered organization, faith is woven throughout the program, from religious requirements and youth-led outdoor worship, to more in-depth discipleship and missions opportunities, every adult and youth member has an opportunity to grow deeper in their faith. As iron sharpens iron, so too will boys and leaders sharpen the faith of their peers.
10/24 Q: I’ve never done scouting before. Is this a good place to start?
A: YES! One of the advantages of the Trail Life program is that it is easy to join at
any time throughout the year, and at any grade or age in a young man’s life.
Since the Troop is split by Grade into 3 different Units, then all the
Elementary, Middle and High School Age youth members enjoy activities and
campouts geared to their age group.
10/24 Q: Will new members with prior Boy Scout experience have to start over again to become part of Trail Life?
No. Each current adult and youth member of the BSA will need to secure a complete copy of their advancement and training records from BSA’s myscouting.net official record as soon as possible. Note that if not secured before the end of the BSA troop’s charter year, those records may not be accessible. As part of the registration process, the youth will be able to access a software module where he can enter his earned rank advancement requirements, ranks, merit badges, Totin’ Chip, Firem’n Chit, service hours, religious awards, nights of camping, etc. The software will generate a
printout that will list all of his BSA achievements, the corresponding Trail Life USA achievements for which credit will be given and the documentation required to substantiate the BSA achievements. The boy can, then, present the documentation to the individual handling the advancement tracking for the Trail Life USA. Those records will be part of his advancement record with Trail Life USA.
Program Questions & Overview
10/23 Q: How often will we get to go camping?
A: There will be opportunities for each age group to go camping numerous times throughout the year. The Woodlands group will be family camping two or three times a year. The Navigators and Adventurers will have one camping trip per month. Once a quarter the Adventurers will have their own high-adventure camping trip.
10/23 Q: Where will we go camping?
A: There are nearly unlimited number of places to camp in our local area. We can camp at local, state and national parks. We will have access to private land owned by individuals affiliated with Trail Life USA. Church camps across the area will also be among our destinations.
10/23 Q: All of that camping sounds expensive, how much will it cost?
A: Most monthly camping trips will cost $20-$25 depending upon the destination. High adventure camping may run little bit more. Each summer, we will take part in a summer adventure. The cost for this trip will be higher, but we will plan far enough in advance so that families can budget the cost. We will also have fundraisers to help offset costs.
10/23 Q: Can dad's go camping?
A: For the Woodlands, camping will be family-style. For Navigators and Adventurers, only registered leaders will be allowed to go on the trips. This requirement is due to youth protection, as well as leadership assignments and program objectives during those trips .
10/23 Q: How do I become a leader?
A: We always need leaders. Trail Life USA requires all adults, ages 18 and older, who register with us to sign a declaration of faith.
To help ensure the integrity of our troop, Troop 7777 and Grace Covenant require standard background checks for all leaders. All leaders will also be trained to the position. Minimally, this includes youth protection. Additional training required for the position will also be available.
10/23 Q: Will we be using pocketknives, shooting bows and arrows or guns?
A: We will be teaching the proper way to use knives, bows and arrows and guns in a safe and proper way at the appropriate ages.
Administrative Questions & Operational Overview
10/24 Q: What is the structure like at Troop 7777?
A: We are set up as ONE Troop, that will operate 3 units. That means One Troop Committee and One Troopmaster, supporting 3 different Units that are separated by Grade.
K-5th = Woodlands Trail Unit, Led by the "Ranger"
6-8th = Navigators Unit, Led by the "Trailmaster"
9th-17 yr old youth = Adventurers Unit, Led by the "Advisor"
10/24 Q: When and Where do you meet?
A: We will meet every Tuesday of the month, 7-8:30 pm (7-8:15 for the Woodland Trail group, grades K-5), 2nd Floor at Grace Covenant Church.
The 1st Tuesday of each month we start out with an All Troop Meeting, with all 3 Units meeting together for Awards, Information & Fun. All other Tuesdays, the units will meet in their Unit & Patrol rooms for hands-on skills instruction, rank advancement, program & campout planning, character development & good times with friends.
10/24 Q: When can I come, and can I bring a friend?
A: Mark your calendars now, Plan to attend, and DO NOT MISS our Very First Meeting Night and Launch Party on Tuesday, January 7th @7! Yes....we would love if you brought a friend!
10/24 Q: What are the Membership fees?
A: There are two annual costs associated with membership: Trail Life Registration of $26 pr person, and Troop 7777 dues (which we will have an estimate coming to you on that very soon!). All registration and membership packets can be completed at our First Troop Meeting/Registration Night/Launch Party on Tuesday, Jan 7th!
10/24 Q: Are there uniforms?
A: Trail Life T-shirts (otherwise known as a class "B") are IN THE WORKS! We know you're going to LOVE them!! Let's just say, we don't call our Troopmaster, the FUNmaster for nothing!! Trail Life USA will be releasing information on the new required class A uniform by the end of the year. We'll keep you posted on its development!
10/24 Q: Is there going to be a book or program guide for my ranks?
A: Trail Life Handbooks will be used throughout the program and across the Units for each Trailman to record and track his nights camping, his achievements, his participation, community service, leadership, and awards earned along his trail to Freedom (highest award earned in the Trail Life program).
10/24 Q: Why is Grace Covenant Church changing the youth outdoor ministry program from the Boy Scouts of America to Trail Life USA?
A: Grace Covenant Church has a long and rich history of ministry to young people and has delivered an outstanding Scouting Program to young men for over 13 years. The church leadership is highly committed to the development of youth, and as a result of the change in membership standards on May 23, 2013 adopted by Boy Scouts of America, Grace Covenant Church will be making a change to partner with Trail Life USA effective 1/1/2014 and is now chartering Trail Life USA Troop NC-7777.
10/24 Q: Why Trail Life USA?
A: Founded on Christian principles and operating from a Christian world view, the Trail Life USA program offers a dynamic faith-based outdoor adventure program that places an emphasis on character development, leadership and moral purity with a goal of building men of faith and character who will become godly husbands, fathers and citizens.
10/24 Q: How does faith factor into the program?
A: As a Christ-centered organization, faith is woven throughout the program, from religious requirements and youth-led outdoor worship, to more in-depth discipleship and missions opportunities, every adult and youth member has an opportunity to grow deeper in their faith. As iron sharpens iron, so too will boys and leaders sharpen the faith of their peers.
10/24 Q: I’ve never done scouting before. Is this a good place to start?
A: YES! One of the advantages of the Trail Life program is that it is easy to join at
any time throughout the year, and at any grade or age in a young man’s life.
Since the Troop is split by Grade into 3 different Units, then all the
Elementary, Middle and High School Age youth members enjoy activities and
campouts geared to their age group.
10/24 Q: Will new members with prior Boy Scout experience have to start over again to become part of Trail Life?
No. Each current adult and youth member of the BSA will need to secure a complete copy of their advancement and training records from BSA’s myscouting.net official record as soon as possible. Note that if not secured before the end of the BSA troop’s charter year, those records may not be accessible. As part of the registration process, the youth will be able to access a software module where he can enter his earned rank advancement requirements, ranks, merit badges, Totin’ Chip, Firem’n Chit, service hours, religious awards, nights of camping, etc. The software will generate a
printout that will list all of his BSA achievements, the corresponding Trail Life USA achievements for which credit will be given and the documentation required to substantiate the BSA achievements. The boy can, then, present the documentation to the individual handling the advancement tracking for the Trail Life USA. Those records will be part of his advancement record with Trail Life USA.
Program Questions & Overview
10/23 Q: How often will we get to go camping?
A: There will be opportunities for each age group to go camping numerous times throughout the year. The Woodlands group will be family camping two or three times a year. The Navigators and Adventurers will have one camping trip per month. Once a quarter the Adventurers will have their own high-adventure camping trip.
10/23 Q: Where will we go camping?
A: There are nearly unlimited number of places to camp in our local area. We can camp at local, state and national parks. We will have access to private land owned by individuals affiliated with Trail Life USA. Church camps across the area will also be among our destinations.
10/23 Q: All of that camping sounds expensive, how much will it cost?
A: Most monthly camping trips will cost $20-$25 depending upon the destination. High adventure camping may run little bit more. Each summer, we will take part in a summer adventure. The cost for this trip will be higher, but we will plan far enough in advance so that families can budget the cost. We will also have fundraisers to help offset costs.
10/23 Q: Can dad's go camping?
A: For the Woodlands, camping will be family-style. For Navigators and Adventurers, only registered leaders will be allowed to go on the trips. This requirement is due to youth protection, as well as leadership assignments and program objectives during those trips .
10/23 Q: How do I become a leader?
A: We always need leaders. Trail Life USA requires all adults, ages 18 and older, who register with us to sign a declaration of faith.
To help ensure the integrity of our troop, Troop 7777 and Grace Covenant require standard background checks for all leaders. All leaders will also be trained to the position. Minimally, this includes youth protection. Additional training required for the position will also be available.
10/23 Q: Will we be using pocketknives, shooting bows and arrows or guns?
A: We will be teaching the proper way to use knives, bows and arrows and guns in a safe and proper way at the appropriate ages.
Administrative Questions & Operational Overview
10/24 Q: What is the structure like at Troop 7777?
A: We are set up as ONE Troop, that will operate 3 units. That means One Troop Committee and One Troopmaster, supporting 3 different Units that are separated by Grade.
K-5th = Woodlands Trail Unit, Led by the "Ranger"
6-8th = Navigators Unit, Led by the "Trailmaster"
9th-17 yr old youth = Adventurers Unit, Led by the "Advisor"
10/24 Q: When and Where do you meet?
A: We will meet every Tuesday of the month, 7-8:30 pm (7-8:15 for the Woodland Trail group, grades K-5), 2nd Floor at Grace Covenant Church.
The 1st Tuesday of each month we start out with an All Troop Meeting, with all 3 Units meeting together for Awards, Information & Fun. All other Tuesdays, the units will meet in their Unit & Patrol rooms for hands-on skills instruction, rank advancement, program & campout planning, character development & good times with friends.
10/24 Q: When can I come, and can I bring a friend?
A: Mark your calendars now, Plan to attend, and DO NOT MISS our Very First Meeting Night and Launch Party on Tuesday, January 7th @7! Yes....we would love if you brought a friend!
10/24 Q: What are the Membership fees?
A: There are two annual costs associated with membership: Trail Life Registration of $26 pr person, and Troop 7777 dues (which we will have an estimate coming to you on that very soon!). All registration and membership packets can be completed at our First Troop Meeting/Registration Night/Launch Party on Tuesday, Jan 7th!
10/24 Q: Are there uniforms?
A: Trail Life T-shirts (otherwise known as a class "B") are IN THE WORKS! We know you're going to LOVE them!! Let's just say, we don't call our Troopmaster, the FUNmaster for nothing!! Trail Life USA will be releasing information on the new required class A uniform by the end of the year. We'll keep you posted on its development!
10/24 Q: Is there going to be a book or program guide for my ranks?
A: Trail Life Handbooks will be used throughout the program and across the Units for each Trailman to record and track his nights camping, his achievements, his participation, community service, leadership, and awards earned along his trail to Freedom (highest award earned in the Trail Life program).