January 26, 2026
As Boy Scouts abandon traditional values and boys-only scouting, Trail Life USA fills the gap
Mark Hancock, CEO: ‘The problem has never been the presence of masculinity. It’s the absence of it’
GREENVILLE, S.C. — For over a century, the Boy Scouts of America celebrated its inception during Scouting Anniversary Week during the first week of February. For more than a century, the Boy Scouts’ original mission was “to teach [boys] patriotism, courage, self-reliance and kindred values.” But last year, the organization continued moving away from its boy-focused heritage, rebranding as Scouting America. The decision followed a profound philosophical shift that has taken place for over a decade.
Mark Hancock, CEO of Trail Life USA (TrailLifeUSA.com), stated, “For over a century, the Boy Scouts of America was a cornerstone of American culture, providing boys with a path to manhood through adventure, discipline and character training. Their name change signifies more than a rebranding; it reflects a broader cultural shift away from programs uniquely designed to meet boys where they are.”
From the LGBTQ tent at the national Jamboree to the Citizenship in Society DEI merit badge (required for Eagle Scouts), it’s clear that Scouting America is no longer “morally straight.” As the organization has embraced modern cultural trends around identity, it also distanced itself from the traditional values that made Scouting strong for generations.
The reverberations of this change have even reached the highest levels of government, with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth indicating he may sever military ties with the organization, criticizing it as “genderless” and unwilling to “cultivate masculine values.” In a draft memo to Congress, Hegseth faulted Scouting America for its 2018 decision to admit girls, accusing it of attempting to “attack boy-friendly spaces” and abandoning merit-based standards.
Trail Life is readily claiming the ground lost by Scouting America, while taking a bold stand against a culture that seeks to erase distinctions between boys and girls. After all, says Hancock, these distinctions are not only obvious, they’re in the very chromosomes that literally make up our DNA.
“The problem has never been the presence of masculinity,” stated Hancock. “It’s the absence of it. In response, Trail Life is urging men and boys across America to understand that their ‘Y’ matters. The boY matters. And boys are looking for men to follow.”
As the nation’s largest Christ-centered, boy-focused scouting organization, Trail Life unapologetically embraces the original vision of Boy Scouts’ founder Robert Baden-Powell, who declared, “Scouting is a game for boys under the leadership of boys under the direction of a man.” Through Trail Life’s mentor-led approach, men are walking with boys, modeling strength ruled by love and showing boys how to build, protect, serve and lead.
“Trail Life was born out of a desire to preserve these core principles,” shared Hancock. “Our Christ-centered, boy-focused program applies outdoor adventure to train boys to be godly men who honor God, lead with integrity and serve others. It’s not about excluding anyone; it’s about being intentional in meeting the specific needs of boys. We’ve seen the transformative power of this approach. Trailmen hike mountains, navigate rivers and wrestle with challenges that build confidence, resilience and leadership. They learn to see themselves as part of something bigger — their families, communities, and, ultimately, God’s Kingdom.”
The response to Trail Life’s boy-focused program has been overwhelming. In just more than a decade since its inception, the organization has over 65,000 members participating in nearly 1,500 troops in all 50 states. Trail Life’s stellar growth is a powerful testimony to the organization’s uncompromising, life-changing vision of creating space for boys to become men.
Hancock concluded, “More than ever, boys need a uniquely masculine program where their assertive, audacious and adventurous nature is celebrated, not sequestered. Every new Troop means boys are being impacted by our Christ-centered, boy-focused approach to building Godly men.”
Trail Life USA has received praise from some of today’s top Christian voices, including Focus on the Family, Franklin Graham, James Dobson, Mike Huckabee, Alex and Stephen Kendrick, Family Life, Promise Keepers, the American Family Association, and many others.
Trail Life USA is the premier national character development organization for young men, producing godly and responsible husbands, fathers, and citizens. Trail Life’s mission is to guide generations of courageous young men to honor God, lead with integrity, serve others, and experience outdoor adventure. Troops exist in all 50 states and are growing as Trail Life USA expands around the country. Find a Troop today, or Start a Troop in your community. Find out more at TrailLifeUSA.com.
Trail Life USA’s K-12 program centers on outdoor experiences that build a young man’s skills. A robust awards program motivates young men to grow on a personal level to become role models and leaders among their peers. Living the Trail Life USA is a journey established on timeless values derived from the Bible.
Discover more about Trail Life USA at TrailLifeUSA.com, Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, or Vimeo.
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To interview Mark Hancock from Trail Life USA, contact Hamilton Strategies, Media@HamiltonStrategies.com, Beth Bogucki, 610.584.1096 ext. 105, or Jeff Tolson, ext. 108.
