Troopmaster Times

I don’t know how you got into your particular troop, whether it’s in Trail Life, Scouting America, 4-H, or another youth organization. Was it your wife or husband who found an organization to join? Was it your own search for a nearby troop that brought you to the place you are?

No matter how it happened, you must be on this website because you are interested, or are now in a role as a parent or leader of a troop or youth organization. If you’re just driving and dropping your child off at the doorstep, then I would ask why you are not interested in helping with the group that is involved with shaping the thinking of your child. Do you want to help raise your kids, or do you want to place them in the hands of someone else?

Some of My Story

I didn’t grow up in any scouting organization. I did one year in 4-H when I was about 5 years old. But other than that, I lived much of my life in the outdoors. My family spent many years at camps and ranches from North Dakota to Ohio. At these camps, I played in the woods, built forts, had mudball fights, went sledding in the winter, and swam in the rivers, ponds, and creeks in the summer. I fed chickens, rabbits, goats, and horses. I shot guns and practiced archery regularly. I rode bikes a lot, helped train horses in the ring and on the trail, and I also helped with cattle roundups every now and again when we needed to send one or two to the butcher. And while I cannot tell you every lesson I learned throughout my childhood, I developed a love for the outdoors, a sense of independence, and a way to work through problems that I might not have learned in the same experiential way if I had spent more of my childhood indoors.

Don’t Sit on the Sidelines: Why the Next Generation Needs You

In every generation, boys need men and women who will step forward, invest their time, and help guide them toward maturity. One of the best places this happens is in a local troop. Whether it’s a scout troop, a Trail Life troop, or another outdoor youth group, these communities provide something that is increasingly rare in modern life: mentorship, adventure, and hands-on learning.

Too often, adults assume someone else will take responsibility for shaping the next generation. It’s easy to become passive—busy with work, schedules, and personal responsibilities—while hoping that schools or programs will do the job for us. But the truth is that young people need more than a classroom. They need real experiences, real challenges, and real mentors who are willing to show up.

What Do Troops Offer?

A troop creates an environment where boys can learn skills that simply can’t be taught from a desk. Around a campfire, on a trail, or while setting up camp, they learn how to tie knots, build fires, navigate with a compass, cook outdoors, and solve problems with their hands. These moments build confidence and competence in ways textbooks never could. When a boy successfully builds his first fire or navigates his patrol through the woods, he learns something powerful: I can do hard things.

Just as important as the skills are the relationships. When adults volunteer with a troop, they model patience, integrity, and leadership. A simple weekend campout can become a lifelong memory because a leader took the time to teach, encourage, and listen. Many of us can look back and remember a leader, coach, or mentor who shaped our lives simply because they showed up and cared.

Getting involved in a local troop is also one of the most practical ways to inspire kids to love the outdoors. Today’s world competes constantly for their attention with screens and digital distractions. When a troop hikes a trail, paddles a canoe, or cooks a meal over an open fire, it reminds boys that the world is bigger than a device in their pocket. They begin to appreciate nature, challenge themselves physically, and experience the quiet beauty of God’s creation.

Final Thoughts

Investing in the next generation isn’t always convenient, but it is always worthwhile. Every troop needs volunteers who are willing to teach a skill, lead a trip, or simply encourage a young person along the way. When adults choose to be involved rather than passive, they help shape boys into capable men who are ready to serve their families, communities, and faith.

The next generation is watching. The question is simple: will we sit on the sidelines, or will we step forward and help lead them into adventure?