TLUSA - FL-1389 - Gateway | Troop FL-1389 Gateway

Troop Portal

Membership Fees

There are two required fees to join the troop:

National Registration Fee (Trail Life USA): $42.98 per Child
- Paid directly through your son’s profile on Trail Life Connect (https://www.traillifeconnect.com/) (you’ll see a red link if this step is still pending). This covers your son’s national membership.
Local Troop Dues (Troop FL-1389): $100 per Child
- Paid to our local troop: https://my.cheddarup.com/c/annual-troop-dues-and-contact-forms-8120/items
- Covers regular meetings, activities, ceremonies, and troop operations
- Does not include special events such as camping trips or “Hit the Trail” activities

Optional Adult Registration (Encouraged):
- Parents are encouraged to register as adult leaders
- Adult National Fee: $46.55 (paid on Trail Life Connect)
- Includes a background check and required youth safety training

Uniforms

Uniforms and optional accessories are purchased separately through Trail Life USA: https://shop.traillifeusa.com/

Health Forms

Adult Health and Medical Form: Collects an adult participant's health information, medical history, allergies, medications, and emergency contacts. It is needed to help leaders respond appropriately to medical situations and ensure the safety of adult participants during Trail Life activities. Applies to everyone in the program.

Youth Health and Medical Form: Collects a youth participant's health information, medical history, allergies, medications, and emergency contacts. It is needed to provide leaders with the information necessary to care for youth participants safely and respond effectively in emergencies. Applies to everyone in the program.

High Adventure Medical Form: Provides a healthcare provider's evaluation and approval for participation in strenuous, extended, or high-risk activities. It is required for Trail Life USA activities or events that exceed 72 hours in duration or include high-altitude or high-exertion activities, helping ensure participants are medically fit for the increased physical demands and remote conditions associated with these events. Applies normally to Navigators and Adventures.

The forms need to be submitted to the Health and Safety Chair.

Please note: Adults and/or youth who have not submitted the required forms will not be permitted to participate in HTT activities or camping events.

Adult Health and Medical Form

Download Form

High Adventure Medical Form

Download Form

Youth Health and Medical Form

Download Form

Family Home Activity (FHA) Rules

Family Home Activities (FHAs) are designed to help Trailmen in the Woodland Program continue their advancement at home and make up limited missed requirements.

Standard FHA Rules

Each Trailman has four FHA opportunities available per branch during his two-year branch cycle (Foxes, Hawks, and Mountain Lions).
A Trailman may complete a maximum of two FHAs per year, per branch.
Two completed FHAs may be used to satisfy one missed Core Step, Elective Step, or Hit the Trail (HTT) activity within that branch per year.
A Trailman may use FHAs to make up a maximum of one missed Core Step, Elective Step, or HTT activity per branch per year.
All FHA submissions must be completed according to the activity requirements and approved by the appropriate leader.

Special Advancement Exception

To help second-year Trailmen stay on track with advancement, the troop implemented the following exception:

A second-year Fox, Hawk, or Mountain Lion who:

Is missing two Core Steps, Electives Step, and/or HTT activities within a single branch, and
Has all four FHAs available during his two-year branch cycle, may complete all four FHAs during his second year.

Completion of all four FHAs may be used to satisfy two missing Core Steps, Electives Step, and/or HTT activities for a single branch only, allowing the Trailman to receive a grace exception if he is pursuing his Sylvan Star but missed two activities from the same branch.

If a Trailman has more than one branch with more than one missed activity, this exception may only be applied to one branch. It cannot be used across multiple branches.

How to Complete a Family Home Activity (FHA)

To receive credit for a Family Home Activity, please complete and submit the Family Home Activity Form.

Instructions

Complete the Family Home Activity Form.
One Family Home Activity Form may be used to document and submit up to two FHA activities.
Use the Family Home Activity Form Guide for step-by-step instructions on how to complete the form and what information is required.
Select the FHA activities for your Trailman from the Family Home Activities for Woodlands Trail document.
Ensure the activities selected match your Trailman's branch and level (Fox, Hawk, or Mountain Lion).
Submit the completed form to your Troopmaster or Ranger for review and approval.

Reference Documents

Family Home Activity Form

Used to document and submit completed FHA activities.

Family Home Activities for Woodlands

Lists all approved FHA activities by branch and Woodland level (Fox, Hawk, and Mountain Lion).

Family Home Activity Form Guide

Provides instructions and examples for completing the Family Home Activity Form.

Questions

If you have any questions or would like assistance reviewing your Trailman's advancement progress, please reach out to your Troopmaster or Ranger as soon as possible. They will be happy to help determine the best path forward.

Troop Levels

Our troop is organized into three primary groups based on age.

Woodlands serves boys ages 5 through 10 and focuses on building foundational knowledge and skills.
Navigators are ages 11 through 13 and begin taking on more responsibility while exploring their interests with guidance.
Adventurers are ages 14 through 17 and focus on leadership, maturity, and mentoring younger Trailmen.

Woodlands Levels

Within Woodlands, boys are organized into three levels.

Foxes are ages 5 to 6.
Hawks are ages 7 to 8.
Mountain Lions are ages 9 to 10.

Each level has age-appropriate advancement activities designed to challenge boys while keeping learning fun and engaging.

Culture

Trail Life culture is a Christ-centered, outdoor, mentoring environment where boys grow into godly men through adventure, leadership, service, and strong relationships.

Christ-Centered Foundation
- Everything is rooted in a biblical worldview
- Faith is woven naturally into activities (not just taught, but lived out)
Mentorship & Discipleship
- Boys are guided by godly male role models
- The goal is to develop boys into men of character and leadership
Outdoor Adventure with Purpose
- Camping, hiking, and outdoor challenges are central
- Outdoor settings build:
  - Leadership
  - Problem-solving
  - Character
Character Over Achievement
- Focus is on who the boy becomes, not just what he earns
- Awards exist, but character is the priority
Leadership Development (Boys Lead Boys)
- Boys are given real responsibility as they grow
- Emphasis on:
  - Patrol method (small groups)
  - Decision-making
  - Accountability
Family & Father Involvement
- Strong emphasis on parent involvement, especially father/son connection
- Families are part of the program, not just observers
Service & Responsibility
- Boys are taught to serve others and their community
- Values include:
  - Service
  - Stewardship
  - Integrity
Brotherhood & Community
- Troops function like a team or brotherhood
- Boys:
  - Support each other
  - Grow together
  - Share challenges and wins

Woodlands Program

Event Types

There are three primary ways boys complete requirements.

First, through troop meetings where we focus on Core Steps and Electives Steps.
Second, through Hit the Trail activities, which are usually special events or day activities.
Third, through campouts where boys gain hands-on outdoor experience and often complete Hit the Trail requirements.

Our troop meetings take place on the first and third Tuesday of each month.

Branches

Woodlands advancement is divided into several branches.

Each branch focuses on a different area of development, including Heritage, Life Skills, Science and Technology, Hobbies, Values, Sports and Fitness, and Outdoor Skills.

The advancement program is intentionally balanced to help boys become well-rounded individuals.

Each branch requires a specific number of Core Steps, Elective Steps, and Hit the Trail activities. All requirements must be completed to earn the branch pin in the first year and the Sylvan Star in the second year.