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.

There's a national Trail Life USA membership fee plus troop annual dues, which cover program materials, awards, and activities. 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.