Adventurers are high school-age teens (age 14-18 years) who are ready and willing to make big decisions. Where Navigators focus on ranks as they become capable outdoorsmen, Adventurers focus on awards that represent increased independence and leadership skills.
While the younger age-level programs are much more structured and defined by specific program materials, the Adventurers program is purposely less structured and more flexible for older boys to customize according to their interests and goals.
A unique aspect of the Adventurers program is that different patrols can choose to engage in different program specialties. There is the potential to operate multiple Adventurers patrols as if they were separate units. For example, patrols might engage as a backpacking crew, high adventure enthusiasts, or water-based activities. The point is the boys at this age can work together socially in a group setting to determine their own interests as a group, and then pursue those interests in a very rewarding way.
The First Officer and Second Officer, as high-profile youth leaders, oversee the Adventurers program. Patrol Leaders are selected to head each patrol.
ADVENTURER AWARDS
Adventurers advance through three awards: Journey, Horizon, and Freedom.
JOURNEY
A Trailman who receives this joining award is at the head of a higher Adventurers Trail, one of leadership. As he takes this trail, he must remember to take Christ as his guide – the way, the truth, and the light. You acknowledge that Christ must be a lamp unto your feet and a light unto your path. A Trailman now internalizes the four “selves” of good character: self-respect, self-control, self-reliance, and self-worth. A Trailman who earns the Ready Trailman Rank as a Navigator has also completed the Journey Award. If not previously received, a Trailman completing this award is eligible to receive the Troop Standard.
HORIZON
A Trailman receiving this award still looks back to the younger boys and helps them with their skills, but he also looks ahead to the Freedom Award. His primary role is seeking to help the troop succeed and helping Freedom candidates with their Freedom service projects. At this stage, he should be extremely useful to the troop, demonstrating learned skills to younger Trailmen through teaching opportunities and learning valuable lessons about leadership and life that will pay off time and again when he is a man.
FREEDOM
The recipient of the Freedom Award understands and appreciates his freedom as a gift given all mankind by God. He also understands that the chance to enjoy that freedom was bought by the hard work, courage, and sacrifices of men just like him.
The Freedom Award is the highest award in Trail Life USA. It is an achievement accomplished by the few who reach the apex of the Trail Life Program. Earning the award requires a demonstrated mastery of a significant skill set including 15 required and 10 elective Trail Badges, performing 20 hours of servant service each year, and the distinction of having proven himself as a leader among his peers. He must also complete four “Freedom Experiences” in 3 separate chosen fields; complete a Faith Building Activity; budget, plan, and organize a volunteer team to compete a Servant Leadership Project; and complete an advancement conference and formal Freedom Board of Review.
The Adventurer Program is a 4 Year Program that buildings on the Navigator program, while specifically covering the Horizon-Required badges listed in the “Periodic Table of Advancements”. Specific Rank requirements are listed below in the table:
Badge Schedule / Rotation #
In the course of the 4 year program each Adventurer required Trail Badge will be covered twice— with opportunities for Trailmen to earn Elective Badges, Freedom experiences or Servant Leadership projects on their own time or during the meeting times (when we are covering badges they’ve already earned). Our four year plan looks like this (and will repeat for future years).
| Year A – 2023-24 | Year B – 2024-25 | Year C – 2025-26 | Year D – 2026-27 | |
| September | Citizenship | Outdoor Life | Family Man | Fitness |
| October | Citizenship | Outdoor Life | Family Man | Fitness |
| Citizenship | Outdoor Life | Family Man | Fitness | |
| November | Citizenship | Outdoor Life | Family Man | Fitness |
| Citizenship | Outdoor Life | Family Man | Fitness | |
| December | Fitness (Choose One) | Emergency Preparedness | Outdoor Life | Citizenship |
| Fitness (Choose One) | Emergency Preparedness | Outdoor Life | Citizenship | |
| January | Fitness (Choose One) | Emergency Preparedness | Outdoor Life | Citizenship |
| Fitness (Choose One) | Emergency Preparedness | Outdoor Life | Citizenship | |
| February | Fitness (Choose One) | Emergency Preparedness | Outdoor Life | Citizenship |
| Fitness (Choose One) | Emergency Preparedness | Outdoor Life | Citizenship | |
| March | Family Man | Personal Resources | Emergency Preparedness | Personal Resources |
| Family Man | Personal Resources | Emergency Preparedness | Personal Resources | |
| April | Family Man | Personal Resources | Emergency Preparedness | Personal Resources |
| Family Man | Personal Resources | Emergency Preparedness | Personal Resources | |
| May | Family Man | Personal Resources | Emergency Preparedness | Personal Resources |
**Note: The Horizon and Freedom awards require both the Adventurer required badges as well as the “Ready Trailman” required badges — a total of 15 required badges. Many of our promoting Navigators will have already earned this prior to promoting to the Adventurers, however for new Trailmen, or those who are missing “Ready Trailmen” required badges, they will be encouraged to sit in with the Navigators while covering these essential badges.
While Each Trailman should have his own Trail Life Handbook which has all the requirements of each badge, we have also created a PDF for reference.
