For families
More than a weekend
in the woods.
Christian teaching, leadership, practical learning, and social skills that help boys prepare for adulthood.
Christ woven into the learning
The program teaches that Jesus is Lord and Savior while boys develop skills, organize activities, and serve others. Camping is one opportunity, not a requirement for every local group.
Why should my son be a Lutheran Pioneer?
The Pioneer Program is so much more than just a group of boys that go camping. In fact, some Pioneer groups don’t even camp. Pioneers is a program that prepares our boys for adulthood. Pioneers teach our boys leadership, practical skills, organizational skills, and social skills, all from a Christian perspective. Most importantly, we teach that Jesus is our Lord and Savior.
In today’s world, the Pioneer program is more important than the day it started. Even among our fellow believers, divorce and single-parent families are at an all-time high. Leadership and life skills are lacking not only in our children but also in adults.
What to teach your kids before they leave home
Marilyn vos Savant is an American magazine columnist, author, lecturer, and playwright who rose to fame through her listing in the Guinness Book of World Records under “Highest IQ.” Since 1986 she has written “Ask Marilyn,” a Parade magazine Sunday column where she solves puzzles and answers questions on various subjects.
“To acquire knowledge, one must study; but to acquire wisdom, one must observe.”Marilyn vos Savant
The following is a portion of an article that appeared in Parade Magazine, “What To Teach Your Kids Before They Leave Home.” It would be great if by 18 every young person could do the following. After each skill, we note where the Pioneer program teaches it.
Domestic Skills
- Cook (don’t just open and pour!) a traditional breakfast, lunch and dinnerPioneer Program Material: Cooking and Cooking in the Home
- Wash and iron clothes without ruining them (plus, removing spots).Pioneer Program Material: Clothing
- Replace a button, baste a fallen hem and polish your own shoes.Pioneer Program Material: Clothing
- Extra Credit: Make a loaf of bread (without a machine) or bake a cake from scratch.Pioneer Program Material: Cooking in the Home
Survival Skills
- Know basic first aid and maintain a complete first-aid kit.Pioneer Program Material: First Aid
- Know what to do if you get sick, especially if you’re alone.Pioneer Program Material: First Aid
- Know when to defend yourself; then know how to be effective.
- Extra Credit: Know CPR. The life you save may be your father’s or mother’s.
Physical Skills
- Throw and catch balls of all sizes without breaking your fingers.
- Swim half a mile; tread water for half an hour and float for an hour.Pioneer Program Material: Swimming and Water Safety
- Ride a bike with confidence.Pioneer Program Material: Cycling
- Extra Credit: Be able to get a kite up in the air, keep it there and bring it back down in one piece.
Handyman Skills
- Hang a picture straight without making extra holes in the wall.Pioneer Program Material: Home Repairs and Carpentry
- Paint neatly, including cleaning up the mess.Pioneer Program Material: Home Repairs and Carpentry
- Know which tools perform what functions and how to use them around the house.Pioneer Program Material: Home Repairs and Carpentry
- Extra Credit: Sharpen a knife without cutting yourself.Pioneer Program Material: Camp Tools
Outdoor Skills
- Hike with friends all day without getting lost, bitten or covered with a rash.Pioneer Program Material: Hiking and Backpacking
- Bait a hook, catch a fish, reel it in, remove the hook, then clean and cook the fish.Pioneer Program Material: Fishing
- Plan and manage a weekend camping trip with friends.Pioneer Program Material: Camping Sites and Equipment
- Extra Credit: Know enough about the wildlife in your area to recognize and feel like a friend to the animals.Pioneer Program Material: Awareness of the Environment
Practical Skills
- Type well with both hands in the normal manner.
- Set up your own computer system without help from anyone.
- Drive a car, including one with a manual transmission, and maintain it properly.
- Extra Credit: Change a flat tire.
Organizational Skills
- Create a budget. Note: It takes longer to earn money than to spend it.Pioneer Program Material: Budgeting
- Balance a checkbook manually, even if you bank online.Pioneer Program Material: Budgeting
- Maintain an address book and a personal appointment calendar.
- Extra Credit: Set up a filing system to keep all of the paperwork in your life in one place.
Artistic Skills
- Draw an illustration at least well enough to get your point across.
- Have enough confidence to sing aloud, even when everyone else can hear you.
- Know how to play a musical instrument well enough to enjoy playing in a group.
- Extra Credit: Learn to take a decent photograph, so you won’t be disappointed later when it’s developed. For example, you can’t shoot fireworks with a flash!Pioneer Program Material: Photography
Human Skills
- Care for a dog, cat or other animal, including when it’s sick.Pioneer Program Material: Pets and Pet Care
- Babysit for children ranging in age from 6 months to 6 years.
- Aid elderly or handicapped people without looking superior.Pioneer Program Material: Etiquette
- Extra Credit: Help a person in need without exposing either one of you to danger.
Orientation Skills
- Get around town on a bus, even if you usually walk or drive.Pioneer Program Material: Urban Survival
- Read a map, including road maps.Pioneer Program Material: Mapping
- Know what to do if you find yourself in a bad neighborhood.Pioneer Program Material: Urban Survival
- Extra Credit: Know which direction is north, south, east and west (without a compass) whenever you’re outside.Pioneer Program Material: Compass
Recreation Skills
- Play a team sport instead of just watching.
- Maintain a fitness regimen.
- Learn a game (like bridge or chess) you can play with friends for life.
- Extra Credit: Know how to ride a horse, handle a boat or enjoy a snow sport.
How do our kids learn these things?
Wow, how many adults can do the things Marilyn talks about? We as Pioneers seek to grow in our knowledge of our Lord and His creation. We develop our God-given abilities and skills so we can better serve our Lord and fellow human beings.
“I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along the straight paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run you will not stumble. Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well for it is your life.”Proverbs 4:11-13
Most of what Marilyn tells us kids should learn before they turn 18 is taught within the Pioneer Program. But most importantly, the boys are taught that God loves them, and he sent his dear Son Jesus to save us from our sins. This is taught through all the skills we teach.
Can you think of any program that teaches the number of unique skills Marilyn talks about? Can you think of any better program that is able to train the future leaders of our families and our churches the way Pioneers can?
We hope and pray that you now understand that Pioneers is so much more than just a group of boys that go camping. We hope and pray that you will encourage people in your church to get involved in Pioneers, or start a Pioneer Program. And lastly we hope and pray that you parents will understand the importance of this program to your boys and get involved yourself.
Thank you,
The Pioneer Leadership Team
Parade article reprinted with permission from “Parade,” Sunday, March 25, 2001, Marilyn vos Savant.
Start with your congregation
Ask whether your church has a Train and how parents can take part. If not, consider starting a group or participating through virtual Train 1000.
Participation and member access
How local Trains workSignup instructions
Parent member access
Train 1000 learning guide
Social Skills