Troop SC-2244 is chartered with East Pickens Baptist Church, a Southern Baptist Church located on Gentry Memorial Hwy between Pickens and Easley, SC. (www.eastpickens.org) The Woodlands Trail patrols (grades K5-5th) meet every 1st through 3rd Thursday nights from 6:30 - 8:00 for regular troop meetings. The Navigators & Adventurers (grades 6-12) meet every Thursday from 6:30 - 8:00. During these meetings the trailmen participate in a devotional time and work towards earning branches or badges for the various troop levels through instructional and hands-on activities. Each third Thursday the trailmen focus on the Worthy Life Award, the spiritual development component of Trail Life USA. On certain dates throughout the program year the troop also holds Hit the Trail events. These happen on 5th Thursdays as well as on weekends depending on the event and availability. These events are typically off-campus and are posted on our calendar. *Navigators and Adventurers continue to meet during the summer to work on badges. Woodland Trails meet throughout the school year but do not meet during summer months.

Yearly membership dues are $30.70 per boy. This is paid directly to the national organization and covers liability insurance for the variety of activities we plan and host each year. The troop also has yearly dues of $25 per trailman, with a family max of $50 per year. Dues are required to be paid upon joining the troop. Yearly membership dues for registered adults are $35.68 and include insurance coverage for events, a background check, and Child Protection Safety Training. We do not require all parents to register in order for their boys to be in the troop, but in order to volunteer with the troop or serve in any leadership capacity they must go through this process. This is to further ensure the safety of every boy in the troop. In addition to membership fees, each troop member will need to purchase a uniform shirt, which is also available directly from TLUSA, at a cost of approx $50. We do not ask you to do that until you have been able to attend a few meetings and are sure that TLUSA is a good fit for your son. We will also provide an opportunity to place your order in the fall as part of a large group order in order to reduce shipping costs. Click here to contact a troop leader and receive registration information. Click here to purchase your uniform.

All boys, ages 5 through 17, are welcome irrespective of religion, race, national origin, or socio-economic status. We welcome boys whose parents are seeking a faith-based outdoor adventure program that places an emphasis on character development, leadership, and moral purity, and who aspire to live in accordance with the values expressed in the Motto and Oath.

Foxes: Kindergarten and at least 5 years old by October 31st Hawks: 2nd Grade and at least 7 years old by October 31st Mountain Lions: 4th Grade and at least 9 years old by October 31st Navigators: 6th Grade and at least 11 years old by October 31st Adventurers: 9th Grade and at least 14 years old by October 31st, till the 18th birthday Guidon Unit: young adults ages 18-25 years old Exceptions to the above requirements may be made on a case-by-case basis by consensus of the Troop Committee.

Our Member policy allows for boys of any faith (or no faith at all) to participate in the program of Trail Life USA. Local Charter Organizations satisfy the specific ministry goals of their church or organization. In some cases, that may be as an outreach ministry to boys in the community. In other cases, that may be as an in-reach ministry specifically to minister to the families or members of the local church or organization. Therefore, individual Charter Organizations may have more specific membership requirements that limit Troop membership to boys of a certain faith or membership in a certain organization.

As a Christ-centered organization, our faith is woven throughout the program without being necessarily “religious” or “churchy.” From faith-building options in the advancement program, outdoor worship, to more in-depth discipleship opportunities, adult and youth members receive biblical instruction and training in biblical faith. As iron sharpens iron, so too will boys sharpen the faith of their peers. Adult Christian leaders will guide youth in the development of their faith and moral decision-making, as well as sharpen the faith of their adult peers.

Trail Life USA has 6 Program Emphases: Wisdom, Heritage, Teamwork, Leadership, Character, and Faith. Our program components support youth development, understanding, and practical experiences in these key areas.