Questions parents ask.

Trail Life USA is a church-based, Christ-centered, boy-focused outdoor adventure and discipleship program for boys from kindergarten through 12th grade. Troop 9871 is a chartered troop and a ministry of The North Church.

Just visit a Thursday meeting at 6:30 pm — visiting is always free. When you're ready, you'll register through Trail Life USA and pay annual dues. See Visit & Join for the full walkthrough.

One all-in annual fee covers national Trail Life USA dues, local troop dues, and a troop T-shirt. Campouts and trips may have small additional costs. See Annual Dues for current amounts — and ask about scholarships if cost is a barrier.

Boys from kindergarten through 12th grade, divided into three programs: Woodlands Trail (K–5), Navigators (6–8), and Adventurers (9–12). See the Program page.

No. Families from any church — or families just beginning to explore faith — are warmly welcomed. We are Christ-centered and ask families to respect that mission.

The core is our weekly Thursday meeting (6:30–8:00 pm) plus roughly one outing or campout per month. Families participate at the level that works for them — but the more you're involved, the more your son gets out of it.

Every adult leader completes a formal application, reference checks, background screening, and Trail Life USA's youth-protection training. Two-deep leadership is maintained at all activities.

Absolutely — and we hope you will. Trail Life thrives on engaged fathers and mentors. No outdoor expertise needed; we'll train and equip you. Start on the Get Involved page or contact us.

To visit, nothing at all. To join, you'll need the troop uniform and basic personal items; campouts have a simple gear list. We help every new family get outfitted — see Forms & Resources.

The troop camps regularly through the year — usually a weekend outing announced at meetings and on the troop calendar. Boys camp in patrols with trained, registered leaders, cook their own meals, and work on outdoor skills and badge requirements along the way.

Campouts carry a small per-trip cost to cover food and the campsite, announced with each event. Troop tents and group gear are provided by the troop — your son just brings his personal gear.

A sleeping bag and pad, weather-appropriate clothes in layers, sturdy shoes, a water bottle, flashlight, and personal items. A specific packing list goes out before each campout — no need to buy specialty gear for your first trip.

If a parent isn't attending, we need a completed Temporary Guardianship Form. You'll find it on Forms & Resources.

Yes — dads especially are encouraged to camp with the troop, and parents of younger boys are often asked to attend. Talk to a leader about what's expected for your son's age group.