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New organization offers alternative to Boy Scouts

The new year begins with a new option for boys and young men who want to join a scouting organization, but prefer not to become members of the Boy Scouts of America.

The new group is called Trail Life, and it was largely formed by former BSA members who objected to last May's decision by that organization to allow openly gay boys to join.

It officially began exercising its charter Jan. 1, 2014.

Trail Life has a vision statement on its website, which reads: "Our vision is to be the premier national character development organization for young men which produces Godly and responsible husbands, fathers, and citizens."

It will accept members from other faiths, but has what some see as fairly rigid standards.

The website says that "each Charter Organization will oversee its own program and will stress its own denomination-specific customs and theology. All Charter Organizations will agree on the basic tenets of Christian doctrine as each Charter Organization will be required to accept a common Christian Statement of Faith. All leaders will also be Christian, agreeing to adhere to that same Statement of Faith."

Mike Flowers is an organizer in Oklahoma.

He tells KRMG "we have currently between 20 and 25 new troops forming in the state of Oklahoma."

He points out that Life Trail has a real head start on getting the organization going, since it consists largely of former BSA members and leaders.

"They've had the advantage that there was a lot of seasoned talent that had made the move. So it wasn't a matter of starting from scratch, we carried a lot of experience with us," he said.

Other Christian organizations, including the Royal Rangers (Assembly of God) and the Calvinist Cadets have also attempted to grow as a result of the breach within BSA.

Flowers says Trail Life scouts can transfer their BSA merit badges and other accomplishments if they choose to join TL.

Our vision is to be the premier national character development organization for young men which produces Godly and responsible husbands, fathers, and citizens. - See more at: http://www.traillifeusa.com/who-we-are/#sthash.iacqmhAC.dpuf Our vision is to be the premier national character development organization for young men which produces Godly and responsible husbands, fathers, and citizens. - See more at: http://www.traillifeusa.com/who-we-are/#sthash.iacqmhAC.dpuf

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