‘If We Can’t Show Our Boys How to Overcome Difficulties with Innovation, Boldness, and Creativity in the Midst of Adversity, Then What Can We Expect From Them in the Future?’
October 25, 2021
GREENVILLE, S.C.— There’s no denying that the Covid-19 pandemic has affected lives young and old all across the globe. While many parents are rightfully concerned about their children’s physical health during this time of uncertainty, leading child psychologists recently declared an ‘emergency’ in child mental health due to the pandemic. According to the report, “Between March and October 2020, the percentage of emergency department visits for children with mental health emergencies rose by 24% among children aged 5 to 11 and by 31% among children aged 12 to 17.”
One psychologist commented, “The ongoing public health emergency has made a bad situation worse. We are caring for young people with soaring rates of depression, anxiety, trauma, loneliness and suicidality that will have lasting impacts on them, their families, their communities, and all of our futures. We cannot sit idly by.”
One organization refusing to “sit idly by” is Trail Life USA (TrailLifeUSA.com), the largest Christ-centered, boy-focused scout-type organization in the country. Dedicated to building character, fostering leadership skills, and encouraging adventure in boys across America, Trail Life CEO Mark Hancock acknowledges the strain the pandemic has put on young boys.
“Covid-19 has made it much more difficult for boys to get together to do the things they love,” Hancock commented. “The negative drain on kids’ mental and emotional well-being only deepened as they spent more time indoors, isolated from their friends.”
The solution, according to Hancock, is clear—getting the boys affected by the pandemic back in the great outdoors. “We are delivering the most adventurous, engaging program for boys that’s been seen in several generations,” Hancock stated. “We need to continue growing boys in character, leadership, and adventure opportunities through our patrol method, high adventure, shooting sports, and Christ-centered boy-focused male mentorship.”
This method of providing safe outdoor adventures for boys allows for these boys to be molded into the courageous young men of tomorrow that America sorely needs. Through tried and tested methodology, Trail Life encourages boys to embrace boyhood through outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, outdoor service projects, and other character-building activities that speak to the innate heart of a boy.
Even admist the trials of the pandemic, Hancock hopes that these difficult times will enable the boys of America to grow and mature in a positive way. Hancock said, “Covid-19 is serious, but if we can’t show our boys how to overcome difficulties with innovation, boldness, and creativity in the midst of adversity, then what can we expect from them in the future?”
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 for your son today, or Start a Troop in your area. Find out more at TrailLifeUSA.com.
Since Trail Life USA launched on January 1, 2014, it has grown to over 35,000 members in over 880 Troops across the nation. The 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, Twitter, YouTube, or Vimeo.
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To interview Mark Hancock from Trail Life USA, contact Media@HamiltonStrategies.com, Jeff Tolson, 610.584.1096, ext. 108, or Deborah Hamilton, ext. 102.
