Here is an alternative to the missionarily lost Boy Scouts of America

I remember watching a commercial for the steel industry as a child. In an intense process at temperatures over 2,500 degrees Fahrenheit, molten iron was transformed into red-hot steel and poured into molds from a sturdy vessel called a “crucible.” These powerful images showed how important the crucible was to the process that turned the ore into the essential components of our modern world: skyscrapers, cars, pipelines, military vehicles and industrial machinery.

The crucible must have the necessary integrity to withstand the intensity of the reaction contained within it.

But what happens when a crucible fails? When its integrity is compromised, it crumbles into the mix, creating weakened steel that lacks the necessary strength and structural integrity. This analogy is strikingly similar to the current state of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA), an organization that has historically served as a crucible to mold boys into capable, principled men.

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For over a century, the BSA trained some of the most influential figures in American history, including presidents, astronauts, political leaders and generals. These men, products of a rigorous and values-based process, were part of what is often called the “Greatest Generation” that stormed the beaches of Normandy to liberate Europe from tyranny. The BSA’s goal was clear: to prepare young men to make ethical and moral choices throughout their lives by instilling in them the values ​​of the Scout Oath and Law.

In May of this year, however, the BSA announced a significant change: it dropped the “Boy” from its name, which some perceived as an identity crisis. That change followed a decade of compromises and challenges, including the integration of girls into the program. While inclusivity is often seen as progress, it is confusing for boys and fundamentally changes the dynamic of an organization that has traditionally focused on the unique needs of boys. Since 2018, the BSA has lost over a million boys and gained 176,000 girls. This evolution will ultimately make it primarily a girls’ organization. Perhaps anticipating that prediction explains the prominent “Boy” in its name.

Boys who leave the organization are desperate for a clearly defined path to manhood. Although boys and girls are equal, they differ in many ways – physically, emotionally, and socially. All serious science confirms this established truth. The integration of girls into the BSA, while well-intentioned, dilutes the focus on the specific developmental needs of boys at a time when they most need clear instruction. Programs designed specifically for boys take these differences into account and tailor their approaches accordingly.

In this context, Trail Life USA is proving to be a new crucible for developing strong, godly men from boys. Founded in 2013 and launched in 2014, Trail Life USA is now the largest Christian-centered, youth-focused mission organization in the United States, with nearly 60,000 members in nearly 1,200 groups in all 50 states. Trail Life USA holds to the original vision of Scouting founder Lord Robert Baden-Powell, who said, “Scouting is nothing but Christianity applied” and viewed Scouting as “a game for boys led by boys led by a man.”

This emphasis on peer leadership and male mentorship is central to Trail Life’s mission and critical to a society that needs men of character. Trail Life USA is committed to preserving the distinctive and powerful processes that help shape boys into capable men. This includes providing an environment where risk and adventure are integral and where a boy’s assertive and adventurous nature is encouraged rather than suppressed. Boys need a place where it is acceptable and honorable to be distinctly boys, where their unique qualities are understood and valued, and where positive male role models guide them into manhood.

As the BSA realigns and shifts its focus, parents are looking for alternatives that remain true to the original mission of the Boy Scouts. Trail Life USA offers a solid program that not only fills the void left by the BSA, but also addresses the deep crisis affecting boys in America today. Trail Life USA offers a new melting pot with the integrity to mold the next generation of leaders.