GoodNews Florida

TLUSA operates very sim- ilarly to the Boy Scouts ofAmer- ica in the sense that both use camping and the outdoors as a natural teaching environment for boys in the United States. Unlike the Boy Scouts, TLUSA operates directly under the Church, as a form of outreach for the local communities, with many of the scout leaders being pastors themselves or di- visions chartered by the local church. Currently there are over 26,000 members across 48 U.S. states. Each state has its own subdivisions based on cur- rent population densities. For instance, the State of Florida has five subdivisions, of which the South Florida division (named the Everglades Area) contains the Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Collier, Hendry and Glades counties. The regional director for the EvergladesArea is José Garcia, of Oasis Church in Lox- ahatchee, Wellington. He and other leaders from other subdi- visions in the state take the “Trailmen” out on a variety of adventures, many of which have been decided and planned by the some of the more veteran members them- selves. According to Garcia, “We hold that camping and the out- doors are natural teaching en- vironments for boys as we strive toward our goal to be the premier adventure, character and leadership development organization for boys in the USA as we teach them biblical principles and life skills in the process.” Essentially Trail Life USA was created as a Christ-cen- tered alternative to the historical Boy Scouts of America, founded on biblical principles of male leadership and Christian family values. Get involved Currently there are 40 troops across the entire State, with three in the Everglades area. But Garcia has stated there is much new interest in starting more. Those interested in joining an existing troop can visit www.traillifeusa.com to get started. Alternatively, you can contact your local church about possibly starting a troop for your community. Or contact the Re- gional Director for South Florida, José Garcia, at 754- 245-0389 or tlusaeverglade- [email protected] . André Woods is a 2017 Graduate of Coral Springs High School, born in Coral Springs and is currently a Sophomore at Broward College. 'RQ·W ORVH \RXU MR\ DQG KRSH 7KH /25' LV FORVH WR WKH EURNHQKHDUWHG DQG VDYHV WKRVH ZKR DUH FUXVKHG LQ VSLULW 3VDOP )25(&/2685(" 1RZ LV 127 WKH WLPH WR EH HPEDUUDVVHG DVKDPHG RU SULGHIXO ³$9´ UDWHG E\ SHHUV 0DUWLQGDOH +XEEHOO ‡ \HDUV VHUYLFH LQ 6RXWK )ORULGD