Adventurers
Ages 15 - 17
Trail Life troops are organized according to biblical principles in Proverbs 24:34,
Adventurers work on Wisdom
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The Navigators and Adventurers program is designed for young men ages 11-17 (middle-school and high-school age).
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Navigators and Adventurers work on rank advancement.
Adventurers are high school-age teens 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.
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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 actually choose to engage in different program emphases. There is the potential to operate multiple Adventurers patrols as if they were separate units. One patrol could be engaged as a backpacking crew. Another may enjoy a variety of high adventure activities. Yet another may choose to focus their program efforts around watercraft. And finally, another patrol might be more engaged with planned coed activities with the high school-age Patriot girls from the American Heritage Girls troop. The point is that the boys at this age can work together socially in a group setting to determine their own interests as a group, and then to pursue those interests in a very rewarding way.
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The First Officer and Second Officer, as high profile youth leaders, oversee the Adventurers program. Patrol Leaders are selected to head each patrol.
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NAVIGATOR AND ADVENTURER RANKS AND AWARDS
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Both Navigators and Adventurers begin their trail to the Freedom Award with the Recruit Trailman Rank, moving upward through all six ranks. To ensure each Trailman approaching the Freedom Award is of sufficient maturity, the upper ranks (Journey, Ascent, and Horizon) may only be earned as an Adventurer. In addition to these ranks, the Ridgeline Award is the highest honor that may only be earned as a Navigator.
Journey
The Journey Rank may only be earned by an Adventurer. To earn the rank, a Trailman must have earned the Ready Trailman Rank, meet troop participation requirements, and earn a cumulative total of fifteen Trail Badges, including all nine Core Skills Trail Badges, any one True Freedom Trail Badge, and any five additional Trail Badges. He must complete twenty hours of service each program year, demonstrate leadership to the troop, and draft a plan for completing at least four Freedom Experiences as an Adventurer, including two minors and a major. A board of review is required.
Horizon
To earn the Horizon Rank, a Trailman must have earned the Ascent Rank, meet troop participation requirements, and earn a cumulative total of twenty-five Trail Badges, including all nine Core Skills Trail Badges, all six True Freedom Trail Badges, and any ten additional Trail Badges. He must complete twenty hours of service each program year, demonstrate leadership to the troop, and complete at least two Freedom Experience since becoming an Adventurer. A board of review is required.
Ascent
To earn the Ascent Rank, a Trailman must have earned the Journey Rank, meet troop participation requirements, and earn a cumulative total of twenty Trail Badges, including all nine Core Skills Trail Badges, any three True Freedom Trail Badges, and any eight additional Trail Badges. He must complete twenty hours of service each program year, demonstrate leadership to the troop, and complete at least one Freedom Experience since becoming an Adventurer. A board of review is required.
Freedom
The Freedom Award is Trail Life’s highest honor. To be considered for the award, the Trailman must have earned the Horizon Rank, meet troop participation requirements, and complete a total of four Trail Life-approved Freedom Experiences as an Adventurer, including two in one major field, one minor in a second field, and one additional minor in a third field. The Trailman must also complete the Adventurer Worthy Life Award, complete a Freedom Servant Leadership Project, and complete a Freedom Award Board of Review.
