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How
does Royal Rangers Minister to Boys?
The
Royal Rangers program is designed to appeal to boys
at their age and education level. Each age group meets
weekly and engages in activities, games, crafts and
lessons to help them develop physically, spiritually,
mentally and socially. The age groups also participate
with each other in outpost activities as they occur.
The age divisions of Royal Rangers are:
Straight
Arrows (Ages 5-6, Kindergarten-First Grade):
This weekly program has a profound effect on young
boys, building a foundation for further participation
in the Royal Rangers program. The emphasis is on fun
with learning as a byproduct of the interaction with
the commander and other boys in the weekly activities
and games. Its native American Indian theme is popular
with these ages and naturally provides a storehouse
of ideas for special emphasis and activities. There
are five advancement pins that boys can earn in Straight
Arrows.
Buckaroos
(Ages 7-8, Second-Third Grades): The Buckaroos program
features a western theme that is exciting and wholesome
for boys of this age. As a Buckaroo, a boy learns
both the fundamental truths of the Bible and the Royal
Rangers ministry. Emphasis is placed on learning the
Royal Rangers Code. The lessons
build on the foundations formed in Straight Arrows
as they earn four additional advancement pins.
Pioneers
(Ages 9-11, Fourth-Fifth Grades): A Pioneer participates
in challenging activities, such as camping, hiking,
first aid, nature study, crafts, Bible study and Christian
service. The fun nature of these help the boys to
learn to work as a team and the value of helping others,
as well as learning from the experiences of peers.
Pioneers earn five advancement ratings, and have to
option of obtaining the more challenging Gold Track
awards. Among the merit awards available to a Pioneer
are Computer Science, Solar Science, Space Exploration,
Safety, Plumbing, Art and Leather Craft.
Trailblazers
(Ages 12-14, Sixth-Ninth Grades): This adventure trail
is designed to provide new challenges by offering
a variety of new campcraft skills and opportunities.
Trailblazers are encouraged to become self-reliant
and appreciative of God by developing his outdoors
knowledge and skills. There are five advancement ratings
that a Trailblazer can earn, as well as the optional
Gold Track, which offers more advanced challenges.
There are more than one hundred merit awards that
are available to Trailblazers.
Challengers
(Ages 15-17, Tenth-Twelfth Grades): Offering advanced
opportunities for young men, Challengers presents
a unique chance for Rangers to branch out into different
areas of knowledge and expertise. The Challengers
program has three paths available for participants.
- Trail
Rangers, where a boy learns the techniques for
advanced camping. He becomes familiar with the outdoors
and develops important know-how in the techniques
of survival. With his knowledge of the out-of-doors,
he becomes an experienced woodsman.
- Harvesters
engage in Christian growth, evangelism and discipleship
through hands-on and study applications. A young
man in the Harvesters path can participate in outreach
ministry within his community, in other cities of
his country or even internationally.
- Air
Rangers
is where a young man begins his exploration of the
air by studying the history of flight, followed
by technical studies in aircraft. He also learns
about the latest frontiers of space.
In
addition to the basic advancement, a boy can choose
to reach for the ultimate award in the Royal Rangers
program, the Gold Medal of Achievement. This is obtained
by earning all the basic awards, plus engaging in
the Gold Track of each age group. In his quest to
receive the GMA, a Royal Ranger must complete highly
challenging and advanced tasks, as well as learn a
great deal from the Bible, proving himself worthy
of this most high honor.
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