Troop TX-5662 consist of three groups – Woodlands Trails, Navigator and Adventurer.

Woodlands Trail

Woodlands Trail consists of boys 5-10 years old with three patrols (Fox: 5-6, Hawk: 7-8, Mountain Lion 9-10). Each patrol should have at least two adult leaders in charge for two-deep leadership. The purpose of each patrol meeting is to complete training which goes towards seven separate branches (Handbook, Section 3, page 17):

1. Heritage (Brown)
2. Hobbies (Black)
3. Life Skills (Burgundy)
4. Outdoor Skills (Blue)
5. Science & Technology (Yellow)
6. Sports and Fitness (Green)
7. Values (Red)

Each Trailman will work toward awards throughout the year, starting with the Joining Award which consist of memorizing (Handbook, Section 3, Pages 18-22):

• Trailman 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.

• Trailman handshake

• Trailman salute

• Pledge of Allegiance - I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

• 1 Tim 4:12 NIV - Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.

• Folding the flag (Mountain Lions)

After achieving the Joining Award, the Trailman will work towards branch pins (Handbook, Section 5, pages 27-30), the next level award for each patrol is the Sylvan Star. After leveling up to a new patrol, the Trailman starts over on the patches. Mountain Lions are eligible for a Timberline award, which is the only award from Woodlands Trails available to keep once graduating to the Navigator patrol.

Timberline Award (for Mountain Lions only) is the highest award available in the Woodland Trails program. The requirements are modeled after 4 manhood principles (Handbook, Section 2, pages 14-16):

1. To live boldly and avoid being passive
   • Earned the Forest Award
   • Earned all seven Sylvan Stars
   • Invited a friend
   • Attended an overnight campout
2. To live responsibly
   • Set, planned and met a measurable goal or fulfilled an area of responsibility with a minimum duration of 2 months
3. To lead courageously
   • Helped plan and lead other trailmen in a community service project
4. To live for the greater rewards of God
   • Completed Mountain Lion-level Worthy Life Award

Worthy Life – can be achieved at each patrol level. This award is typically worked on from home after discussion with the Troopmaster and Troop Chaplain. Additional details can be found in Trail Life Connect, under “Advancement” -> “Badges & Awards.”

• Foxes: https://www.traillifeconnect.com/getdoc/ok9tbrasndyt
• Hawks: https://www.traillifeconnect.com/getdoc/da44sbccsoyh
• Mountain Lions: https://www.traillifeconnect.com/getdoc/nka6elubayii

Woodlands Trail Handbook – Allows for each Trailman to work on awards at home. To achieve the highest-level award, work from home will be required. Extra curriculum can be provided by emailing the Troopmaster for documentation. Troop TX-5662 is designed for boys to succeed but will require work to achieve the goals.

Woodsman Card – Achieved by a Mountain Lion Trailman after he has passed an examination on the safe handling of Edge Tools.

Fireguard Card – Achieved by a Mountain Lion Trailman after he has passed an examination on Fire Safety. Building, Lighting, Maintaining and Extinguishing fires.

Progress Reports – The troop is working to obtain a permanent space to post progress reports throughout the year.

Navigators & Adventurers

The goal of Troop TX-5662 will be for the Adventurers to have much of the responsibility of leading the troop, since leadership is one of the key items taught. Most of the positions filled by parents in the Woodland Trails program, can be performed by older Trailmen.

Navigators, ages 11-13, will work on several badges (The Trailman’s Handbook, pages 43-49). These required badges should be completable in 18 months.

• Camping
• Outdoor Cooking
• Ropework
• Woods Tools
• Aquatics
• Fire Ranger
• Our Flag
• Trail Skills
• First Aid

Navigator Ranks

• Recruit Trailman
  • Joining Rank
• Able Trailman
  • Earn the Recruit Rank
  • Complete 4 Navigator Badges required by the Trail Badges (see below) plus 3 elective badges
  • Complete 15 hours of service for each year since joining Navigators
  • Troop meeting attendance & perticipation requirements
  • Leader Conference and Board of Review
• Ready Trailman
  • Earn the Able Trailman Rank
  • Complete all 9 Navigators-required badges plus total of 5 elective badges
  • Complete 15 hours of service for each year since joining Navigators
  • Troop meeting attendance & perticipation requirements
  • Hold a leadership position or fulfill a leadership requirement
  • Failth building activity option
  • Leader Conference and Board of Review

Adventurer Worthy Life Award Before beginning any work on the Worthy Life Award, meet with your Trailmaster, Troop Chaplain, and mentor (approved by your parent or guardian) to create and document in your handbook measurable goals, tasks, and reporting expectations (The Trailman’s Handbook, pages 84-90).

Adventurer Trail Badges Required badges should be completable in 24 months. If necessary, Adventurers may still earn Navigator badges.

• Emergency Prep
• Family Man
• Personal Resources
• Citizenship
• Cycling
• Hiking
• Outdoor Life
• Fitness Badge
• Swimming

Adventurer Ranks

• Journey Award
  • Joining Rank
• Horizon Award
  • Earn the Journey Award
  • Have earned all 15 required Trail Badges (see below) plus a total of 10 electives
  • Complete 20 hours of service for each year since joining Adventurers
  • Hold a leadership position or fulfill a leadership requirement
  • Troop meeting attendance & perticipation requirements
  • Leader Conference and Board of Review
• Freedom Award
  • Earn the Horizon Award
  • Complete the Freedom Experiences for your major and 2 minors
  • Troop meeting attendance & perticipation requirements
  • Servant Leadership Project
  • Faith building activity option
  • Leader Conference and Freedom Board of Review

Adventurer Worthy Life Award

Before beginning any work on the Worthy Life Award, meet with your Trailmaster, Troop Chaplain, and mentor (approved by your parent or guardian) to create and document in your handbook measurable goals, tasks, and reporting expectations (The Trailman’s Handbook, pages 105-111).