Extremists Gather in Nashville to Form Own Version of Boy Scouts of America

THE CHRONICLE OF PHILANTHROPY

TENNESSEE---Christian activists who opposed the Boy Scouts of America’s decision to allow openly gay troop members have taken the first steps toward launching an alternative youth corps, NPR and CNN report. The new group, Trail Life USA, held its inaugural conference in Nashville over the weekend, with more than 1,000 parents and scoutmasters in attendance. Leaders of the effort say Trail Life will focus on adventure, character-building, and leadership. Members will be taught that sexual activity outside marriage is a sin, and avowedly youth will be barred. Trail Life expects to charter about 1,000 troops by January, when it plans to officially begin activities. A Boy Scouts spokesman said 99 percent of the older organization’s more than 100,000 troops have remained committed since the policy change on homosexual membership. [link]