Walk Worthy!
“…that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God…”
Colossions 1:10 (NKJV)
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What is Trail Life?
Trail Life USA is a Christ-centered, boy-focused
mentoring and discipleship program that partners with
local churches to empower men to develop the next
generation of character-rich servant leaders through
outdoor adventure.
Living the Trail Life is a journey for boys and young men
established on timeless values derived from the Bible.
Set in the context of outdoor adventure and working
in patrols within Troops, each young Trailman is
challenged to build character and a lifetime of practical
leadership skills. All boys are welcome irrespective of
religion, race, national origin, or socio-economic status.
All program elements are delivered from a Christian
worldview with God’s truth woven into the very fabric
of the program
Program Overview
Woodlands Trail
Starting with the Woodlands Trail for
grades K-5, boys gain knowledge about
outdoor skills, citizenship, character,
friendship, and faith through fun activities,
awards, and skill instruction.
Navigators
Navigators, grades 6-8, 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.
Adventurers
Adventurers, young men in grades 9-12,
mature in wisdom and faith through more
difficult challenges and leadership activities
with Christian men walking alongside them.
They plan outdoor events, large projects,
and hold leadership positions in the Troop.
Trail Life USA Statement of Faith & Values
Trail Life USA is a Christ-centered outdoor adventure, leadership, and character development ministry. Within the operation of the local Troop, the primary statement/ profession of Christian beliefs, faith, and/or doctrine is that belonging to the Charter Organization. As with any of its ministries, the Charter Organization should take steps to ensure the Troop appropriately reflects these beliefs. While the Charter Organization may hold its own primary statement of beliefs, Trail Life USA Charter Organizations and Registered Adult Members must concurrently adhere to the Christian principles stated in Trail Life USA’s Statements of Faith and Values:
We believe there is One Triune God–God the Father; Jesus Christ, His one and only Son; and the Holy Spirit–Creator of the universe and eternally existent. We believe the Holy Scriptures (Old and New Testaments) to be the inspired and authoritative Word of God. We believe each person is created in His image for the purpose of communing with and worshiping God. We believe in the ministry of the Holy Spirit, Who enables us to live godly lives. We believe each of us is called to love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength, and to love our neighbors as ourselves. We believe God calls us to lives of purity, service, stewardship and integrity
Trail Life USA Oath
On my honor, I will do my best to serve God and my country, to respect authority,
to be a good steward of creation, and to treat others as I want to be treated.
Our Charter Organization
Troop TX-1516 is chartered by St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and School of Thorndale, Texas.
St. Paul’s story began in 1881 when August Polnick, Jr. and his family relocated from the Fedor community in Lee County to the town of Thorndale, which had been established just three years earlier along the International-Great Northern Railroad’s tracks between Rockdale and Austin.
More families from Fedor followed the Polnicks from Fedor to Thorndale, and soon the Rev. Gotthilf Birkmann, pastor of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Fedor was traveling to Thorndale and the nearby community of Hochkirch (now called Noack) to hold services for the Lutheran families there. Many of these families were descendants of the large group of Wends who immigrated to Texas in late 1854 aboard the Ben Nevis. Polnick’s father and mother had themselves been among a smaller group of Wends who immigrated in 1853 and wrote letters back home that encouraged the larger group that followed them.
By 1890, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church was formally organized. By the following year, the congregation had completed its first building, which served both the church and school, and was being served by its first pastor, the Rev. E.P. Gesterling, who also served congregations in Hochkirch, Taylor, and Austin.
