Woodlands Fox Patrol Information 
Earn your Branch Patch
Welcome, Trailman to the Fox Patrol!
We are excited to have you with us on this amazing journey. Your first step on this path is to earn your Branch Panch, or also known as the “Joining Award”.
Earning this award is simple but not easy. You need to know a few things and be able to demonstrate that knowledge to one of your leaders (Trail Guide).
Here is what you need to know:
- Memorize the pledge of allegiance and be able to recite it to the Trail Guide
- Memorize the Trailman Oath
- Learn the Trailman Sign and when to use it
- Learn the Trailman Salute and when to use it
- Learn the Trailman Handshake
The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
“I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
The Pledge of Allegiance should be rendered by standing at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. When not in uniform men should remove any headgear with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Trailmen in Class A uniform should remain silent, face the flag, and render the Trailman salute.
Trialman Oath
On my honor,
I will do my best
To serve God and my country;
To respect authority;
To be a good steward of creation; And to treat others
as I want to be treated
The Trailman Sign:
The Trailman Sign is raised when reciting the Trailman Oath and also used as a sign to bring Trailman to silence to focus on the business at hand.
The Trailman Salute:
The Trailman Salute is used by members in uniform, when:
- They recite the Pledge of Allegiance (stand at attention and face the flag)
- The flag passes in a parade or ceremony (at the moment the flag passes, stand at attention facing the flag)
- While in a parade or procession, you pass a flag posted on a stage/podium erected for the event (continue moving forward, turning head so eyes are on the flag until you have passed)
- The flag is hoisted and lowered (the salute is held until the flag is unsnapped from the halyard or through the last note of the national anthem, whichever is longer)
- The national anthem is played or sung (stand at attention and hold the salute through the last note. The salute is directed to the flag, if displayed, otherwise to the music)
- The flag is retired at flag retirement ceremonies.
Men will remove hats when saluting, except for a uniform hat. Women do not have to remove head covering.
How to do a Proper Hand Salute
A proud, smart salute shows pride in yourself and your unit and that you are confident in your abilities as a Trailman. A sloppy salute might mean that you’re ashamed of your unit, lack confidence, or at the very least, that you haven’t learned how to salute correctly.
In saluting, turn your head and eyes toward the person or flag you are saluting. Bring your hand up to the correct position in one, smart motion without any preparatory movement. When dropping the salute, bring your hand directly down to its natural position at your side, without slapping your leg or moving your hand out to the side. Any flourish in the salute is improper.
The proper way to salute when wearing headgear is to raise your right hand until the tip of your forefinger touches the outer edge of your right eyebrow (just above and to the right of your right eye). When wearing headgear, the forefinger touches the headgear slightly above and to the right of your right eye. Your fingers are together, straight, and your thumb snug along the hand in line with the fingers. Your hand, wrist, and forearm are straight, forming a straight line from your elbow to your fingertips. Your upper arm (elbow to shoulder) is horizontal to the ground.
Trailman Handshake
The Trailman Handshake is much like a normal handshake but instead of grabbing the other person’s hand, you firmly grab the other person’s wrist. The grip is used during outdoor adventure outings in order to get a firm and secure grip on the other person. We use it as a handshake to remind us that we are always helping and supporting others.
Earn Branches
There are 7 primary areas of instruction. These areas are taught in no specific order and often take numerous meetings and outings to complete.
The 7 areas are:
- Heritage
- Hobbies
- Life Skills
- Sports and Fitness
- Outdoor Skills
- Science and Technology
- Values
Earn your Forest Award
The Forest Award is earned once you have earned all 7 of your Fox branches. This usually happens at the end of your first year as a Fox.
Earn Sylvan Stars
Once you have earned your Forest Award, you then begin earning Sylvan Stars instead of Branches. These Stars are earned by learning new and often repeated lessons throughout the year.
Makeup missed steps/Missing a meeting
Missing meetings happen. You get sick, have a conflicting event, family vacation, you name it. Don’t let that get you down. You have the ability to perform two “At Home Activities” to make up a missed meeting or Hit The Trail! event. If you missed a meeting or know that you will be missing an upcoming meeting then let your Trail Guide know that you would like some At Home Activities to make it up. The Trail Guide will select and assign you those activities. These activities may or may not be within the same branch area but that is okay. The point is that you learn from them and have some fun. How those activities are completed and if there are materials to turn in will be completely up to the Trail Guide so make sure you pay attention to their instructions.
Worthy Life Award
The best and most extensive faith-based award that Trail Life offers is the Worthy Life Award. This award can be added to at every patrol level, even up to Adventurer!
The Worthy Life award challenges you to learn more about God through Biblical devotions, Christian service, and family activities. Each patrol level brings something new and fun to learn and experience.
The Worthy Life Award process is overseen either by the Worthy Life Guide, Ranger, or the Trail Guide.
The steps for achieving the Worthy Life award for the Fox level are:
- Memorize John 3:16
- Perform an act of service for your church, the charter organization church, or through any other church ministry
- Understand the basics of prayer using the “ACTS” concept
- Lead a prayer at a meeting, camping trip, a Hit the Trail!
- Find where the Lord’s Prayer is located in the Gospels, and explain “Our Father who art in heaven.”
- Attend a special Christmas, Easter, or other church holiday service
- Understand the concept of Faith in God. (Multi-part study)
- Summary with the Worthy Life Guide