Welcome, Chaplain! You are part of a ministry of ordained and laypeople that have proudly wear the Trail Life uniform. You will share your faith with youth and adults at Troop meetings and outings, but you will also:

•    Model Christ’s love and wisdom.

•    Provide counseling, oversight and encouragement.

•    Interpret nature as a testament to God’s power and goodness.

That’s a big job, yet remember God does not call the equipped, he equips the called. Your willingness to serve is your greatest qualification. Your willingness to learn is your second greatest. You will have support from your fellow Troop and Area leaders, an opportunity for in-person training, and this Handbook. These resources will take you from where you are to where you want to be, preparing you for the unique challenges and opportunities of outdoor ministry, and outlining how Trail Life addresses the challenges facing our youth.

Be sure to always wear the Trail Life Troop uniform. It will serve you well unadorned or accessorized with your clerical sash or collar. When you first put it on, you will feel a surge of pride, walking a little straighter and taller, and for good reason. That distinctive uniform is the green of meadow and woodland, the visible badge of your Trail Life family, the full armor of God, and a sign to the community and yourself that you believe in the potential of your fellow Trailmen. It is evidence that you are willing to stretch yourself beyond your comfort zone with patience, humility and humor. It is a mark of your intent to Walk Worthy.

In His Service, John Burkitt