Getting Started with Trail Badges

As a Trailmen moves from the Woodlands program (which is much more guided), into the Navigators and Adventurers the program will focus more on opportunities for them to grow in the area of Adventure, Character, and Leadership.

Developing the trailmen as godly leaders through allowing them to self-lead their patrols, while mastering skills through outdoor activities will be the focus. While all these activities will point the boys towards advancements, it will not be centered on the advancement. Trailmen wanting to advance will need to pursue advancement outside the meetings/activities to complete the badge work. The Trailmaster (Navigators) and Advisor (Adventurers) are here to help guide/coach the trailmen and can check off their work once completed.

The image below shows a brief overview of the advancement process for a trailman from Navigators thru Adventurers. There are additional requirement, which can be found in the Trailman's handbook or on TrailLifeConnect.com

All trailman are strongly encouraged to begin building a day packs to be brought to every troop meeting and all other events unless stated by the TrailMaster/Advisor. We will be using items from the day pack to practice skills and help earn trail badges.

Items in day pack include but not limited to are:

• Pocketknife (Can be on person)

• First-Aid Kit

• Water Bottle

• Fire Starters

• Sun Protection / Rain Gear

• Flashlight & extra batteries

• Compass

• Tarp (Emergency Shelter)

• Cordage (Paracord works great, can be in different lengths with a total of 100’)

• Bible

• Emergency Contact Information

• Optional items, extra clothes, jacket, knit hat, trail mix (dry food)

The Trailman will also be earning badges that will attach to his Standard. Standards are awarded to the Trailman after completing six months of the program. To help your son earn these badges, we have developed an advancement binder that helps your Trailman reach the highest honor any Trail Life member can earn. Here is the advancement binder instructions to help your Trailman long his way to earning the Freedom Award. To print these items you will have to have a Trail Life USA login.

1. Print out all required badges for Navigators and Adventures from the Trail Life Connect>Documents>Resources(filter by tags equals ‘Required’): https://www.traillifeconnect.com/
   

2. Print out 10 elective badges of your Trailman’s choosing from the Trail Life Connect>Documents>Resources (filter by tags equals ‘Elective’): https://www.traillifeconnect.com/
   
   

3. Print out ‘Faith Building Options Quick Reference Guide from the Trail Life Connect>Documents>Resources(filter by tags equals ‘Faith Building’): https://www.traillifeconnect.com/
   

4. Print out ‘Youth Trailman Freedom Award Procedure Guide’ from the Trail Life Connect>Documents>Resources (filter by tags equals ‘Freedom Award’): https://www.traillifeconnect.com/
   

5. Print out ‘Freedom Experiences Course Catalog’ from the online Youth Trailman Freedom Award Procedure Guide page 19 https://www.traillifeconnect.com/documents/getdocument/elekbcsiqe8b
   

6. Place 10 sheets of lined paper.
   

7. Place in a three ringed binder and bring to ALL Troop Meetings.