Director, Commonwealth Policy Center

The controversy over the Boys Scouts dropping the word "boy" from its name is just the latest in a series of moves that has alienated parents from the once venerated organization. But there's an alternative to the Boy Scouts. It's called Trail Life USA which is the fastest-growing adventure organization for boys. According to its website, Trail Life is a "Christ-centered outdoor adventure, leadership, and character development ministry." There are a dozen troops in Kentucky and hundreds across the nation. Owensboro, Ky troop master Brandon Ellis got involved in Life Trail when his son turned 5. Ellis is a former Eagle Scout but he disagreed with the moral confusion recently sown by the Boy Scouts. For Ellis, moral training and imparting virtue to his son is just as important as developing outdoor skills.