Trail Guide (Navigator)

Navigator Trail Guides are the adult leaders of the Navigator youth. As the program pivots from the adult-lead Woodlands level to the youth-led Adventurers, the Navigator Trail Guides are in the middle of it, working both to advise boys as they develop their own leadership and as leaders to guide the boys through the three middle-school years.

Facilitating the Junior Patrols is the core responsibility of a Navigator Trail Guide. At the Navigator level, we desire to allow the Junior Patrol Leader to exercise primary leadership within his group. However, we also recognize that few trailmen at this age are in the position to exercise independent leadership. Facilitating Trail Guides can and must guide the youth in leading, moving between indirect advising and direct leading as circumstances require.

Our troop desires adequate Navigator Trail Guides to enable breaking into various size small groups, and to have men of a variety of skills, abilities, and life experiences available to the youth. Shared leadership is a core value and important to successful ministry. We desire teams of men accomplishing the Trail Guide duties.

Navigator Trail Guides have the opportunity, but not the responsibility, to serve as the adult event lead for camping trips, service projects, and other outings of the Navigator/Adventurer group.

Qualifications

• Christian man age 18 or older
• Registered Adult (or eligible to be registered)
• Agree to the Shepherd's Church Volunteer Covenant and qualified for service

Core Duties

• Maintain regular contact and communication with members of assigned junior patrol(s), including serving as a primary point of contact.
• Work collaboratively with the Navigator Trailmaster to ensure instruction and programmatic activities occur at weekly meetings.
• Advise youth on completion of badge work and other program advancement items.
• Ensure a safely supervised patrol meeting, including complying with all policies of TLUSA and The Shepherd's Church as it relates to youth.

Additional Responsibilities

• Inform Trailmaster and Troopmaster if unable to attend a regular meeting
• We don’t expect Trail Guides to know everything. We do expect Trail Guides to assist their Trailmen in getting answers within the troop.
• Pay active attention to troop calendar and announcements to enable thoughtful communication with patrol members and parents
• Complete Peak 1 and Peak 2 trainings during first year of service.

Timing of Duties

• Many Trail Guides are involved in every weekly meeting, although some alternate or otherwise schedule their participation.
• Outside of meetings, Trail Guides teaching a lesson or supporting a youth teaching a lesson would need to take time to prepare and review materials. Navigator Trail Guides do not typically have out-of-meeting administrative duties.
• Navigator Trail Guides often attend Navigator/Adventurer campouts, although supervision of these events does not require the entire team of Trail Guides to be present.

Position Attributes