Woodlands Trail (Ages 5-10)
The Woodlands Trail Program is designed for boys of elementary-school age, comprising two-year programs for three age groups:
- Fox (Kindergarten-1st grade and 5 years old by October 31)
- Hawk (2nd-3rd grade and 7 years old by October 31)
- Mountain Lion (4th-5th grade and 9 years old by October 31)
Adventure is at the heart of the Trail Life USA program. Boys love hiking, camping, fishing, tree-climbing, story-telling, and s’mores around campfires. Weekly meetings are designed with that in mind. Held outside whenever possible, meetings are designed to delight the raucous, rowdy, unruly nature of a boy. Trailmen engage in hands-on experiences that develop character, deepen faith, and hone practical skills in the seven program branches (Outdoor Skills, Life Skills, Heritage, Hobbies, Values, Science & Technology, and Sports & Fitness).
Boys also love stickers, patches, pins, and awards. Each week as boys meet in their patrols, they work on a Branch Step as part of a planned meeting or a “Hit the Trail!” adventure. As Branches are completed, pins are added to the Branch Patch. Each branch builds the structure of the Branch Patch boys wear on their uniform. In each patrol level, when all seven Branches are complete, boys earn The Forest Award.
Along the trail boys engage with older boys in the Troop and with mentors who are vetted by church leadership, background checked, and must complete extensive Child Safety and Youth Protection Training.
During the last year in Woodlands Trail, a Mountain Lion can earn the prestigious Timberline Award. 
The Timberline Award is the highest award in the Woodlands Trail program and, once earned, becomes a permanent part of the Trail Life Uniform. It was developed to celebrate a boy’s entrance into the new world of the Trail Life USA Navigators program. In many Troops, the Timberline Award is presented as part of a meaningful bridging ceremony when Trailmen move from the Woodlands Trail program to the Navigators and Adventurers uniform.
To ensure that activities are age-appropriate and progressively challenging, for the Woodlands Trail Program, boys are grouped together with boys of their own age:
Fox (ages 5-6)
Boys in kindergarten (must be 5 years old by October 31) and first grade are grouped together in the Fox Patrol. During this two-year program, Foxes are introduced to Trail Life USA, learn new skills, and have fun. Due to age, Foxes may only camp overnight with a parent, guardian, or other responsible adult.
Hawk (ages 7-8)
Boys in second grade (must be 7 years old by October 31) and third grade are grouped together in the Hawk Patrol. Hawks learn quickly and demonstrate increased alertness and eagerness to contribute. Hawks typically camp with a parent, guardian, or other responsible adult.
Mountain Lion (ages 9-10)
The Mountain Lion Patrol includes boys in fourth grade (must be 9 years old by October 31) and fifth grade. Mountain Lions show signs of greater independence, physical strength, and confidence, but still require strong adult guidance. Mountain Lions may camp with members of their patrol or with a parent, guardian, or other responsible adult.
Program Branches
During each two-year program, the Trailmen (boys) participate in activities from among seven areas (known as branches), including:
Heritage Branch
An exploration of American Heritage, Christian Heritage, and a boy’s own family heritage. Emphasis is placed on upholding the finest traditions of the heritage we obtain from our forefathers.
Life Skills Branch
Teaching life lessons ranging from the practical and mundane to higher-level interpersonal skill sets.
Science and Technology Branch
An exploration of physical and natural science concerning our created world.
Hobbies Branch
An exploration of various indoor and outdoor hobbies that demand varying levels of knowledge, skill, or aptitude.
Values Branch
Instilling biblically based values in the boys. The central focus of this branch is teaching of the Christian faith.
Sports and Fitness Branch
Having fun in the outdoors with sports and other activities.
Outdoor Skills Branch
Gaining basic understanding of woodcraft, hiking, exploration, and camping skills.
Branch Pins And Forest Awards
To recognize the progress of Trailmen through the Woodlands Trail program, a Trailman can earn the Forest Award for his age group: Fox Forest Award, Hawk Forest Award, or Mountain Lion Forest Award. To earn the Forest Award, a Trailman must first earn a branch pin for each of the seven branches listed above. Each branch pin includes requirements for core steps and elective steps, which are typically completed at troop meetings or camping trips, and a “Hit the Trail” activity taking place at a community site away from the troop meeting. To allow a Trailman to make up missed requirements, a series of Family Home Activities have also been developed.
Timberline Award
The Timberline Award is the highest award that a Trailman, having earned the Mountain Lion Forest Award, can achieve in the Woodlands Trail Program. The Timberline Award is designed to celebrate a boy’s entrance into the Trail Life USA Navigators program, and its requirements are aligned to four Manhood Principles:
Manhood Principles
- To live boldly and avoid being passive
- To live responsibly
- To live courageously
- To live for the greater rewards of God
Worthy Life
The Worthy Life Award is an integral part of the overall Trail Life discipleship process in the Woodlands Trail, Navigators, and Adventurers programs. For a Trailman to earn the Timberline Award or the Freedom Award, he must complete the requirements for the Worthy Life Award. At each level, this distinction requires that a boy complete activities in four categories:
- Devotional – Engaging with spiritual truth in a regular transformative manner.
- Discipleship – Living out faith through service and learning about how others have done so.
- Discipline – Practicing intentional activities that result in spiritual growth like regular prayer, fasting, journaling, memorizing Scripture, attending church services, giving, and serving.
- Demonstration – Evaluating and sharing Worthy Life experiences with parents, Troop, and/or church.
At the Woodlands Trail level, Worthy Life involves intentional mentoring, hands-on activities, and practical applications that involve parents and Troop mentors to help a boy gain knowledge of fundamental truths.
For older boys in the Navigators and the Adventurers programs, focus moves from creating foundational knowledge to helping internalize his faith, integrate it as his worldview, live with integrity, share with intentionality, and use his spiritual gifts to impact others through service.