Adventurers
The Adventurers program is the third part of the journey for a boy in Trail Life USA. It is for boys between the ages of 14 and 17.
Adventurers must earn all the same ranks as Navigators (Recruit, Able, Ready) before earning the first for Adventurers: Journey Rank.
Based on Proverbs 24:3-4, each troop is grouped according to biblical principles. The Adventurers program is based on wisdom. They are led by a Guide, and each patrol elects a Patrol Leader.
Special Note for Adventurers
You are the most important element of your own success in Trail Life. What you learn by participating in planning and carrying out your program will benefit you as you enter college and the job world.
You will learn things about yourself as a leader that you might not have the opportunity to learn in many other settings.
You also have a pivotal role in setting the monthly program of activities for your patrol and the entire Troop. When the activities and programs that you help plan and implement come together and everyone has a good time and learns something, you’ll experience a first-rate feeling of accomplishment.
Your Relationship with Navigators
As the older youth in your Troop, the Adventurers are vital to the development of younger boys. Adults can be great role models, but you are the immediate model the younger Trailmen follow. You are not just working on your own advancement; you are indirectly working on theirs. Do everything you can to Walk Worthy and serve as an example for younger Trailmen.
Journey Rank
After earning the Ready Rank, a Trailman focuses on the following:
Traditions
- The Freedom Experience Catalog.
- The Adventurers Worthy Life Award requirements.
- The Patrol Leaders Guidebook.
- The Discipleship Square.
- The SCoRe method of discipline.
- The True Freedom Trail Badges.
Trail Badge Work
- All 9 Core Skills Trail Badges.
- Any one True Freedom Trail Badge.
- Any 5 other Trail Badges of your choice.
Servant Service
- Complete 20 hours of service for each program year.
Freedom Trail
- Draft a plan for completing at least four Freedom Experiences as an Adventurer, including two minors and a major.
Troop Involvement
- Maintain a level of in-uniform troop meeting attendance acceptable to your Advisor.
- Participate in at least 6 troop activities, not including regular meetings, for each year as an Adventurer.
Leadership
Since earning the Ready Rank, complete one of the following:
- As an Adventurer, serve as a First Officer, Second Officer, Quartermaster, Patrol Leader, or other troop-approved leadership role for a minimum of six months.
- At five troop meetings or outings, demonstrate your leadership ability by planning and instructing a Woodlands Trail patrol in significant skills approved by your Advisor and the Woodlands Trail Ranger.
- At five troop meetings or outings, demonstrate your leadership ability by planning and instructing a Navigators or Adventurers patrol in significant Trail Badge skills approved by your Advisor, Trail Guide, and, if applicable, the Navigators Trailmaster.
- Plan and implement a troop or patrol camping or high adventure trip including the program, food, and wilderness travel plans (biking, hiking, paddle craft, etc.) approved by your Advisor.
- Plan and implement an Adventurers-only high adventure or extended travel experience including the program, food, and travel plans approved by your Advisor.
- Plan and implement a troop-wide or patrol service project approved by your Advisor.
Review
- Successfully complete an Advancement Conference in uniform.
- Successfully complete a Board of Review in uniform.
Ascent Rank
After earning the Journey Rank, a Trailman focuses on the following:
Trail Badge Work
- All 9 Core Skills Trail Badges.
- Any 3 True Freedom Trail Badge.
- Any 8 other Trail Badges of your choice.
Servant Service
- Complete 20 hours of service for each program year.
Freedom Trail
- Complete at least one Freedom Experience since becoming an Adventurer.
Troop Involvement
- Maintain a level of in-uniform troop meeting attendance acceptable to your Advisor.
- Participate in at least 6 troop activities, not including regular meetings, for each year as an Adventurer.
Leadership
Since earning the Journey Rank, complete one of the following:
- As an Adventurer, serve as a First Officer, Second Officer, Quartermaster, Patrol Leader, or other troop-approved leadership role for a minimum of six months.
- At five troop meetings or outings, demonstrate your leadership ability by planning and instructing a Woodlands Trail patrol in significant skills approved by your Advisor and the Woodlands Trail Ranger.
- At five troop meetings or outings, demonstrate your leadership ability by planning and instructing a Navigators or Adventurers patrol in significant Trail Badge skills approved by your Advisor, Trail Guide, and, if applicable, the Navigators Trailmaster.
- Plan and implement a troop or patrol camping or high adventure trip including the program, food, and wilderness travel plans (biking, hiking, paddle craft, etc.) approved by your Advisor.
- Plan and implement an Adventurers-only high adventure or extended travel experience including the program, food, and travel plans approved by your Advisor.
- Plan and implement a troop-wide or patrol service project approved by your Advisor.
Review
- Successfully complete an Advancement Conference in uniform.
- Successfully complete a Board of Review in uniform.
Horizon Rank
After earning the Able Rank, a Trailman focuses on the following:
Trail Badge Work
- All 9 Core Skills Trail Badges.
- All 6 True Freedom Trail Badge.
- Any 10 other Trail Badges of your choice.
Servant Service
- Complete 20 hours of service for each program year.
Freedom Trail
- Complete at least 2 Freedom Experience since becoming an Adventurer.
Troop Involvement
- Maintain a level of in-uniform troop meeting attendance acceptable to your Advisor.
- Participate in at least 6 troop activities, not including regular meetings, for each year as an Adventurer.
Leadership
Since earning the Ascent Rank, complete one of the following:
- As an Adventurer, serve as a First Officer, Second Officer, Quartermaster, Patrol Leader, or other troop-approved leadership role for a minimum of six months.
- At five troop meetings or outings, demonstrate your leadership ability by planning and instructing a Woodlands Trail patrol in significant skills approved by your Advisor and the Woodlands Trail Ranger.
- At five troop meetings or outings, demonstrate your leadership ability by planning and instructing a Navigators or Adventurers patrol in significant Trail Badge skills approved by your Advisor, Trail Guide, and, if applicable, the Navigators Trailmaster.
- Plan and implement a troop or patrol camping or high adventure trip including the program, food, and wilderness travel plans (biking, hiking, paddle craft, etc.) approved by your Advisor.
- Plan and implement an Adventurers-only high adventure or extended travel experience including the program, food, and travel plans approved by your Advisor.
- Plan and implement a troop-wide or patrol service project approved by your Advisor.
Review
- Successfully complete an Advancement Conference in uniform.
- Successfully complete a Board of Review in uniform.
Trail Badges
For Adventurers, in addition to the nine core skill trail badges and seven elective trail badges, there are also six True Freedom trail badges. Trailmen can also design their own badge.
True Freedom
- Citizenship
- Emergency Preparedness
- Family Man
- Outdoor Life
- Personal Resources
- Fitness
- Cycling
- Fitness
- Hiking
- Swimming
Freedom Award
The Freedom Award is the shining capstone of the Adventurers program as well as your entire time in all of the Trail Life programs.
The process of earning the Freedom Award will stretch you and will not be easy, but the lessons you learn along the Freedom Trail will shape you and remain with you for the rest of your life.
Prerequisites
- Must be a registered Navigator.
- Earn the Horizon Rank.
Troop Involvement
- Maintain a level of in-uniform troop meeting attendance acceptable to your Advisor.
- Participate in at least 16 troop activities since becoming an Adventurer, not including regular meetings.
Freedom Experiences
- Complete two Freedom Experiences in one field for your major.
- Complete one Freedom Experience in a second field (this counts as a minor).
- Complete one Freedom Experience in a third field (this counts as a minor).
The Worthy Life Award
- Complete the Adventurers Worthy Life Award.
Servant Leadership Project
- Complete a Freedom Servant Leadership Project according to the standards in the Servant Leadership Project Guide.
The Journey Rank must be earned before beginning work on the Servant Leadership Project.
Review
- Successfully complete an Advancement Conference with your Advisor and Troopmaster in uniform.
- Successfully complete a Freedom Award Board of Review in uniform.