The Need for Intentional Spaces for Boys

On February 8, 2025, Scouts BSA celebrated its 115th anniversary by officially changing its name to Scouting America. For over a century, the Boy Scouts of America was a cornerstone of American culture, providing boys with a path to manhood through adventure, discipline and character training. Yet, this name change signifies more than a rebranding; it reflects a broader cultural shift away from programs uniquely designed to meet boys where they are. My friend Kirk Cameron recently called this change a “casualty of the gender war.” And he’s right. This isn’t just about nostalgia for a storied institution; it’s about real consequences for boys.

Boys are in crisis. One of the fastest-growing suicide rates in America is among boys aged 10 to 14. They face a culture that increasingly minimizes or even demonizes masculinity. Terms like “toxic masculinity” have left many boys confused about what it means to be a man. Jim Daly of Focus on the Family observes, “Boys need intentional mentoring and guidance from men who show them that strength is not aggression and leadership is not domination.” Yet fewer and fewer organizations focus on this vital work.

The Boy Scouts — founded by Sir Robert Baden-Powell — was one of the first programs to recognize and address the unique needs of boys. Reflecting on his early experiences with the Mafeking Cadet Corps during the Boer War, Baden-Powell saw how the challenges of outdoor adventure could mold boys into men of character and faith. He famously said, “Scouting is nothing less than applied Christianity.”

For decades, the Boy Scouts thrived by embracing Baden-Powell’s vision: a program designed specifically for boys, grounded in outdoor adventure, boy-led leadership and moral development. The Patrol Method taught boys to rely on each other, fostering teamwork and responsibility. The wilderness became a classroom where courage, humility, and faith were nurtured.

But in recent years, the organization has moved away from this singular focus. In the name of inclusivity, it has blurred its missional focus, shifting from boy-focused to youth-focused. This inclusivity may sound admirable but, in practice, it dilutes the program’s effectiveness for boys. Boys and girls are different, and their developmental needs reflect that. Boys thrive in environments that celebrate their adventurous, competitive and risk-taking nature. They need safe spaces to run, climb, wrestle and explore without apology. As Kirk Cameron puts it, “Trail Life understands that boys need men to teach them how to be godly men. It’s a safe space for boys to be boys and grow into healthy men.

Trail Life USA was born out of a desire to preserve these core principles. The Christ-centered, boy-focused program applies outdoor adventure to train boys to be godly men who honor God, lead with integrity and serve others. It’s not about excluding anyone; it’s about being intentional in meeting the specific needs of boys. We’ve seen the transformative power of this approach. Trailmen hike mountains, navigate rivers and wrestle with challenges that build confidence, resilience and leadership. They learn to see themselves as part of something bigger — their families, communities and ultimately, God’s Kingdom.

Franklin Graham remarked, “Trail Life USA is a great Christian organization that helps develop character and leadership in boys and young men.” In just 10 years, it has grown to nearly 60,000 members in over 1,300 troops nationwide. Parents are choosing Trail Life because they see the value of a program that restores the wonder and winning elements of boyhood.

This is not a reactionary move; it’s a response to a clear need. Boys are not “toxic,” but they are often misunderstood. In Genesis 1:27, God created male and female and called it good. Trail Life seeks to honor that design, helping boys harness their God-given strengths to become men of character and faith. As Baden-Powell said, “A week of camp life is worth six months of theoretical teaching in the meeting room.” Boys need action, challenge and adventure — and they need men to guide them through it.

Scouting America’s name change may mark the end of an era, but it also underscores an opportunity. As society increasingly turns its back on boys, Trail Life USA is standing in the gap, committed to raising a generation of courageous young men who will honor God, lead with integrity and serve others. If you’re a parent, pastor or mentor who’s concerned about the future of boys, I invite you to join in the efforts of Trail Life USA. Together, we can ensure that boys have the wild spaces and intentional mentoring they need to thrive.