The Badge Archive

Trail Life: Woodlands Trail

Grades Kindergarten through 5th grade. 

Levels

There are currently 3 age groups, each associated with different Elementary grade years. Each rank has a 2-year course.

Seven Branches

Woodland Trailmen wear a Branch Patch on their uniforms to attach Branch Pins to.

  • Heritage Branch – American, Christian, and Family Heritage
  • Hobbies Branch – Indoor and Outdoor Hobbies
  • Life Skills Branch – Practical to High-Level Interpersonal Skills
  • Outdoor Skills Branch – Woodcraft, Hiking, Exploration, and Camping
  • Science and Technology Branch – Physical and Natural Sciences
  • Sports and Fitness Branch – Sports and Wellness
  • Values Branch – Biblically Based Values of the Christian Faith

Trail Life USA requires membership to see the Steps available for each Branch and level. Resource links for members to see Step requirements can be found on the Troop GA-2717 webpage.

Awards for all Levels

Branch Pins

Pictures of the Branch Patches and Forest Awards can be found on Troop VA-2215 webpage.

Each branch pin requires core steps and elective steps done at troop meetings and camping trips AND a “Hit the Trail” Activity (HTT) done at a location outside of the normal troop meeting location. HTTs could be a weekend event, after-school event, overnight events, camping trips, service projects, or a summer adventure.

Trailmen may only receive one Branch Pin per Branch per Level

  • Heritage Branch (Brown) – 2 Core Steps, 1 Elective Step, 1 “Hit the Trail” Activity
  • Hobbies Branch (Black) – 1 Core Steps, 2 Elective Step, 1 “Hit the Trail” Activity
  • Life Skills Branch (Burgundy) – 3 Core Steps, 1 Elective Step, 1 “Hit the Trail” Activity
  • Outdoor Skills Branch (Blue) – 3 Core Steps, 1 Elective Step, 1 “Hit the Trail” Activity
  • Science and Technology Branch (Yellow) – 2 Core Steps, 1 Elective Step, 1 “Hit the Trail” Activity
  • Sports and Fitness Branch (Green) – 2 Core Steps, 1 Elective Step, 1 “Hit the Trail” Activity
  • Values Branch (Red) – 3 Core Steps, 1 Elective Step, 1 “Hit the Trail” Activity

Family Home Activities (FHA) are available for Trailmen to make up missed requirements. Two FHAs equal one Step or HTT (“Hit the Trail” Activity) per Branch.

Leaves

Leaves refer to earning a single requirement that goes towards earning a Branch Pin. Leaves are earned at meetings, activities, and projects. FHAs can make up missed requirements.

Forest Award

Earned by completing 7 different Branches for each level. They are not transferable to the next level.

Sylvan Stars

Awarded in the same manner as Branch Pins, but only after the Forest Award is earned.

Trailmen may only receive one Sylvan Star per Branch per Level. They are not transferable to the next level.

Worthy Life Award

May be earned once in each age group level, with different requirements based on age group level. Requirements will fulfill each aspect of the award

  • Service – complete an act of service
  • Worship – prayer and church attendance
  • Relationship to God – focusing on faith
  • Heroes of Faith – learning about key Bible figures

Detailed information on Worthy Life Award requirements AND Tracking Sheets can be found on the Simi Valley Trail Life website.

Go back to the Trail Life USA page.

Find out how you can support The Badge Archive!

Tia Kennard