Pioneer Structure

What is a Lutheran Pioneer? The dictionary tells us that a Pioneer is "someone who goes before, preparing the way." It is someone who leads. The word "pioneer" is French, meaning foot soldier. You have become a foot soldier for Christ.
Just as the early pioneers led the way across this land in covered wagons, you are part of a wagon, too. Your wagon is made up of four to six boys who will study together, play together, build projects together and camp together. Your wagon should have a name, a yell and a flag; for example you might belong to the Road Runner Wagon and have "beep ... beep" as your yell!

Just as all the wagons belonged to a wagon train many years ago, your wagon, and all of the other wagons, belong to a Train. There is only one Train in each church that has a Lutheran Pioneer program.

Every wagon train had leaders to help the pioneers find their way across the mountains and through the desert. You have leaders too. Your wagon has two leaders who are boys just like you. The first is the Wagon Leader. He leads your wagon at the meetings and on campouts. He also helps you learn some of the skills in this book. He is usually older, has completed the Camper requirements and has shown leadership skills.

The Wagon Driver has usually completed the RECRUIT requirements

The boy who is in charge of all the wagons is called the Wagonmaster. The Wagonmaster leads all of the wagons during formations and helps teach the younger boys some of the skills in the program. The Wagonmaster has usually completed the CAMPER requirements.

Above the Wagonmaster are the Junior Train Leader (JTL) . They are responsible

for all of the boys in the Train, and help the adult leaders teach some of the more advanced skills in the ministry. They also help the adult leaders plan the meetings and are advisors of the Pow-Wow. The Junior Train Leader is the highest rank that you can have as a boy. He is usually at least fourteen years old and has completed all the FRONTIERSMAN requirements. A Train may have more than one Junior Train Leader.

There are also two boys who take care

of the Train records. The Quartermaster is in charge of al1 the Train equipment. He

makes sure that it is clean and in working order. He must keep accurate records of all the equipment that the Train owns or

uses. The Recorder is in charge of all the Train dues and weekly attendance records.

He will check with each Wagon Leader to see who is at the meeting, and if their dues are paid. Both of these positions can be held by one boy, or by someone who is already a Wagon Leader or a Wagonmaster if your Train does not have enough boys.

The Quartermaster and Recorder should have completed the CAMPER requirements.

The Wagon leaders, Wagonmaster, Quarter- master and Recorder should meet at least once a month to help the adult leaders plan the meetings and activities by making suggestions to them. This group is called the Pow-Wow. The JTL is an advisor, the Wagonmaster runs the meeting, and the Recorder takes notes. An adult leader may sit in on this meeting, too.

The leader of the Train is called the Trainmaster. With the help of the Senior Train Leaders and the Pow-Wow, the Trainmaster plans all of the meetings, activities and projects. The Trainmaster is the "boss."

There are also leaders who help the Trainmaster with this work, who are called Senior Train Leaders (STL). They often work with the various levels of the Train. One will probably work with the Recruits, one will work with the Campers and one will work with the Frontiersmen. One of the STL will probably be an advisor to the Pow-Wow and one may serve as an advisor to the Troopers.

There are four to six adults who help the Trainmaster run the Train, but they are not always leaders. These adults are part of the Train Council. It is their job to find leaders, guide the program and to help teach when one of the leaders is absent. Do you know who is on your Train Council?

The Quartermaster and Recorder should have completed the CAMPER requirements.

Since we are Lutheran Pioneers, there is one other person who helps lead the Train. He is your Pastor. He is called the Train Chaplain. He helps the Trainmaster with devotions to help keep you a "foot soldier for Christ."

Back to our original question. is a Lutheran Pioneer? IT IS YOU!