Adventurers Trailmen have six required True Freedom Badges targeted at the needs and abilities of older boys. Focus moves more toward servant leadership, teamwork, faith-building activities, and experiences in the community. While the younger age-level programs are much more structured and defined by specific program materials, the Adventurers Program is purposely less structured and more flexible for older boys to customize according to their interests and goals.   New boys may join at the high school level that had not previously participated in the middle school Navigators program. They will need to first earn the nine required Navigators Trail Badges that encompass the range of outdoor skills before moving on to pursue the True Freedom Badges.  This is quite a challenge, but a motivated high school boy can accomplish this with extra effort.

Rank Advancement

Journey Rank

A high school level Trailman who has achieved the highest rank in Navigators Program should have the confidence and experience to teach skills to newer members and give back to the Troop some of the help that he received when he was starting out. As he was taught in the Bible, those who would be great must be servants of others.  A Journey Trailman is at the head of a higher Adventurers Trail, one of leadership. As he takes this trail, he must remember to take Christ as his guide. He is the way, the truth, and the light. He is a lamp unto your feet and a light unto your path. A Journey Trailman internalizes the four "selves" of good character: self-respect, self-control, self-reliance, and self-worth.

The Journey Rank may only be earned by an Adventurer.  To earn the rank, a Trailman must have earned the Ready Trailman Rank, meet troop participation requirements, and earn any one True Freedom Trail Badge.  He must complete twenty hours of service each program year, demonstrate leadership to the troop, and draft a plan for completing at least Four Freedom Experiences as an Adventurer, including two minors and a major.  A board of review is required.

Ascent Rank

To earn the Ascent Rank, an Adventurer Trailman must have earned the Journey Rank, meet troop participation requirements, earn any three True Freedom Trail Badges, and any three additional Trail Badges.  He must complete twenty hours of service each program year, demonstrate leadership to the troop, and complete at least one Freedom Experience since becoming an Adventurer.  A board of review is required.

Horizon Rank

A Horizon Trailman still looks back to the younger boys and helps them with their skills, but he also looks ahead to the Freedom Award and seeks to help the Troop succeed and to help Freedom candidates with their Freedom projects. He should be not only useful to the Troop, he should also be learning valuable lessons about life that will pay off time and again when he is a man.  He will come across many new ideas and opportunities on his way to manhood. Some of them lead to great things, others to disaster. He will show his wisdom as he avoids the pitfalls and keeps his heart and mind headed upward, developing the image of God within him, and becoming the man God desires he should be. The word "Excelsior" is Latin for "ever onward", and that is where he will find those new horizons.

To earn the Horizon Rank, a Trailman must earn the Ascent Rank, meet troop participation requirements, earn all six of the required True Freedom Badges that encompass the body of specific knowledge required in the Trail Life USA program, and any five additional Trail Badges.  He must complete twenty hours of service each program year, demonstrate leadership to the troop, and complete at least two Freedom Experiences since becoming an Adventurer.    A board of review is required.  

Freedom Rangeman

The Freedom Award is the highest award in Trail Life USA.  It is an achievement accomplished by the few who reach the apex of the Trail Life Program.  On the Trail to Freedom, one of the most meaningful ways Trailmen come to understand their gifting is through serving.  Service in the church and the community is a significant part of the Trail Life program.  Outdoor adventure provides fertile ground for relationships to be fostered.  As relationships grow, young men begin to learn skills and serve alongside their adult mentors.  As Trailmen serve, they begin to find purpose and fulfillment.  As Trailmen understand they were created by God for his glory, to be his hands and feet to others, they find fulfillment in service and begin to understand their gifting.  As they use their gifts, they hone in on career and ministry paths that will set the tone for the rest of their life.

A Freedom Rangeman understands and appreciates his freedom as a gift given all mankind by God. He also understands that the chance to enjoy that freedom was bought by the hard work, courage, and sacrifices of men just like him.  Having completed all of the required Trail Badge work with the Horizon Award, a Trailman's focus now turns to three specific areas:

1. A faith building program: This is accomplished by earning the Adventurer Level Worthy Life Award.

2. Leadership development as demonstrated through a "Servant Leadership Project": Attaining this award requires the Trailman to budget, plan and lead a volunteer team to complete a special servant leadership project that demonstrates the skills and ideals learned in the Troop. It will be challenging, but the Trailman can rise to that challenge and help freedom ring in his town, his country, and his world.

3. Community involvement and active citizenry as experienced through the Freedom Experiences of the Majors and Minors program: A special document outlines an extensive list of approved "Freedom Experiences" that a Trailman can participate in as he build his presence in his community as an active and engaged citizen.