2025 TRLC | North Central
Trail-Ready Learner Conferences (TRLCs for short) are nationally-coordinated, Regionally-driven, locally-staffed events that connect leaders, explain processes, provide useful information, inspire and equip every Trail Life adult leader or parent. This is where you belong!
REGISTER BELOW!
LOCATION
Cornerstone EPC
9455 Hilton Rd.
Brighton MI, 48114
DATES & TIMES
Friday, May 2, 2025 from 5:00pm - 10:00pm (registration table opens at 4:30)
Saturday, May 3, 2025 from 7:00am - 4:45pm
(registration table opens at 6:30 & breakfast at 7:00)
PRICING & DISCOUNTS
Don't attend alone! Pay for 3 and your 4th comes FREE!
More people attending from your Troop means more impact sessions can be attended & that information can help your Troop grown and thrive!
A Navigator/Adventurer youth training component is being offered at this event.
YOUTH ATTENDEES
All youth Trailmen must attend with a parent or guardian attending the event and on campus. The TRLC is an adult-focused event with a Nav/Ads Patrol Method program being offered, Woodland Program level Trailmen are not encouraged to attend nor are inside sleeping accommodations available for youth.
TRAVEL RECOMMENDATIONS
Detroit Metro International Airport- Metro Detroit
Bishop International Airport- Flint
FREE SLEEPING ACCOMMODATIONS
Friday and Saturday nights, adults (separate from the Nav/Ads Trailmen) can put a tent up on the church campus or bring a travel trailer to stay on the paved parking area for dry camping only. No electrical/water/or sewer hookup available.
Friday night only, adults can stay inside the church. Bring your own bedding. A room will be dedicated to women only.
HOTEL RECOMMENDATIONS
Hampton Inn & Suites Howell, 3900 Grand Oaks Dr, Howell, MI 48843
Candlewood Suites Brighton, an IHG Hotel, 151 Library Dr, Brighton, MI 48116
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Brighton, an IHG Hotel, 7850 Nemco Way, Brighton, MI 48116
LOCAL PLACES OF INTEREST
Tanger Outlets Howell, 1475 N Burkhart Rd, Howell, MI 48855
Twelve Oaks Mall, 27500 Novi Rd, Novi, MI 48377
University of Michigan Museum of Natural History, 1105 N University Ave, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation, 20900 Oakwood Blvd, Dearborn, MI 48124
BREAKOUT SESSIONS
- Fox to Freedom: This session will be an overview of each rank and awards from Fox to Freedom. Tracking tools are available on TLC & Trailmen's books, including a brief discussion on the Freedom Award and when to start.
Led by Jonathan Butcher - What You Need to Know that You Don't Know: Health & Safety Guide requirements & TLC Camping must fill-out forms. Q & A
Led by Jerry Leauderman & Kevin Spala - Dream Session to Officers Conference: What is a "Dream Session?" What can it look like? What is an "Officers Conference?" How to they relate? Let us have a discussion on what these look like and how they will improve your youth leadership & success of your troop.
Led by Nelson Howell - Empowering the Troop Chaplain: The role of the chaplain is often under-utilized in our troops. How do we transform the spiritual emphasis in our troop by equipping our foremost spiritual leader in planning his chaplain chats, building a team of youth chaplains, and promoting the worthy life award? How can we enrich our prayer times, our campfire songs, and our campout devotions so our families are challenged to love and serve Jesus more? Come with your practical questions!
Led by Shawn Vitu - Woodlands 101: A more in-depth look at the Woodland Program from Fox Joining Rank to the Timberline Award. What are the 6 F's and how to present for busy leaders. Discussion on Trail Life's guidance & alternatives to building the Woodland 18 month schedule and presentation of branches/stars.
Led by Matthew Burrell & Andrew Hale - The "Wanna Come Back" Impact: Membership has its ups and downs. How do you encourage current Trailmen to continue and attract new Trailmen & Parents.
Led by Nelson Howell - The Trail Life App: Did you know about the new Trail Life App (TLA) that was rolled out? This session will cover an overview of the features of the new TLA.
Led by Jonathan Butcher - Big Picture Blueprints: This session will discuss everything you need to know about running your own multi-troop event, including: purpose, planning, setting expectations, activities, venues, food & funding. There will be ample time for questions and answers, so please bring plenty of questions and thoughts to share with the group!
Led by Jake Oesch - Building to High Adventure: High Adventure makes boys out of men. Learn what High Adventure is and why we must do it. Including how to plan one. We will talk about having appropriate adventure for all ages from Foxes through Adventurers. Including why adventure is necessary for all ages.
Led by Jim Robinson - Guiding Generations - Creating a Discipleship Culture in Your Troop: Our Troops can be a catalytic environment for spiritual growth in both the boys and the men who are involved but how do we intentionally and practically create and maintain this discipleship culture?
Led by Brad Walbridge - Navigators 101 - Trail to Understanding: This session will cover details and requirements for each badge, as well as common pitfalls Troops experience. Journey through each badge, discussing ways to think outside the box through interactive discussion. Let no stone be unturned.
Led by Jack Knowles - Adventures 101: A more in-depth look at the Adventurer's Program from Recruit Rank to the Freedom Award. Discussion on helping Adventurers build a schedule for completion of True Freedom Badges, Electives, Awards and Ranks. Review logging locations for Service Hours, camping, Worthy life activities, Freedom experiences, and more.
Led by Mark Odom - Raising Up Youth Chaplains: Every man is called to be a spiritual leader in his realm of God’s kingdom. How can you develop the gifts of your Trailmen to lead others as Youth Chaplains in your patrols and troop so they are better prepared to lead for Christ?
Led by Shawn Vitu - Many Hands Make Light Work: This session will discuss tips and encouragement to help you engage those men who are less inclined to jump into leadership. Topics will include training, responsibility, the importance of a "many man show", role-modeling and decreasing burnout. Afterall, many hands make light work!
Led by Jake Oesch - Guiding Generations: Our Troops can be a catalytic environment for spiritual growth in both the boys and the men who are involved but how do we intentionally and practically create and maintain this discipleship culture?
Led by Brad Walbridge - Fundraising is FUN-Raising: What do awards, outdoor adventure, ministry scholarships, and program materials all have in common? They take money. Join this interactive and informative session as we learn tips and strategies for successful fun-raising for your troop. We will learn from the resources that Trail Life provides, and will also learn from Trail Life's most valuable resource- YOU.
Led by Dave Wilcox - Help with the Worthy Life Award - Woodlands: Struggling to find time to help your Troop earn the Worthy Life Award. This workshop equips you with practical strategies and ready-to-use resources that make it easier to incorporate award requirements into your meeting. Discover how to guide your troop toward this important achievement - without overwhelming your schedule.
Led by Joleen Steel - Freedom Award - The TM has just completed his Horizon Rank – Now What?: Freedom Award unit level tactical execution not explained in TLC.
Led by Tom D'Alio - The Training Has Arrived at the Station: Want a thriving troop? It starts and ends with TRAINING! Getting your leaders and parents trained will help your troop run more effectively. We will also look at the new Basecamp feature in TLC for important training videos.
Led by Jeff Manning - Nav/Ads Worthy Life - Manhood Journey Help: Have you ever used Manhood Journey for Worthy Life? Have you ever seen the material? This session will introduce, along with discussions, the Manhood Journey materials and walk through presentation concepts for your Chaplains, Trailmen, and Dads!
Led by Rich Lee - Patrol Method NOW: The patrol method is the only way to develop leaders of our young men. We will discuss the why of using the patrol method. Then look at the resources available and how to start implementing it in your Troop.
Led by Jim Robinson
More topics to be released soon. Check back here for more details.
QUESTIONS
Contact the North Central TRLC Coordinator:
Tim Edgar
[email protected]
