Open HouseSep
Troop Open House
Weekday · multiple days
Join us for this activity in September on a weekday (multiple days)!
Trail Life Troop 337 · Federal Way, WA
Adventure. Character. Leadership.
Welcome to Trail Forged, the online home of Trail Life Troop 337 — a Christ-centered outdoor adventure program for boys, meeting at Northwest Church in Federal Way.
Vision, Mission & Motto
Vision
To be the premier character development troop for young men in Federal Way, producing godly and responsible husbands, fathers, and citizens right here in our community.
Mission
To guide generations of courageous young men to honor God, lead with integrity, serve others, and experience outdoor adventure.
“Walk Worthy”
Colossians 1:10
New to Trail Life?
What Is Trail Life?
Trail Life USA is a Christian, church-based outdoor adventure program for boys ages 5–17, built on three distinctives: Christ-Centered, Church-Owned, Boy-Focused. Through weekly meetings, hands-on skills, and monthly outdoor adventures — hiking, camping, backpacking — Trailmen grow in six areas:
- Wisdom
- Heritage
- Teamwork
- Leadership
- Character
- Faith
It’s mentorship and adventure with a clear purpose: raising boys into godly, capable men.
Troop 337 is Trail Life’s local expression of that mission here in Federal Way, chartered through Northwest Church.
Where & When We Meet
We meet Mondays at Northwest Church.
34800 21st Ave SW, Federal Way, WA 98023
- 6:30 – 8:00 PM — Woodlands Trail Trailmen (grades K–5)
- 6:30 – 8:30 PM — Navigators & Adventurers (grades 6–12)
Once a month, we trade the meeting room for the outdoors — hikes, backpacking trips, and campouts on weekends throughout the year.
Thinking about visiting? The best way to get ahold of us first is to reach out.
Contact UsOn the page that opens, search “Federal Way, WA” (or zip 98023) and select Troop WA-0337 to send us a message.
What's Coming Up
Upcoming Highlights
Special EventOct
Raingutter Regatta for the Woodland Trails & Potluck lunch on October 3rd starting at 10am
Weekend · multiple days
Set sail for adventure at our Raingutter Regatta…
CampoutNov
All-Troop Campout at Kanasket-Palmer
Weekday · multiple days
Join us for this activity in November on a weekday (multiple days)!
Special EventDec
Troop Christmas Party
Weekday · multiple days
Join us for this activity in December on a weekday (multiple days)!
Get Involved
Parent Engagement & Volunteering
Trail Life runs on parent involvement — it’s part of the design, not an ask on top of it. Troops led entirely by volunteer parents and church members give every boy consistent, trustworthy adult mentorship. Whether you can commit to a regular leadership role or just show up and help out at outings, there’s a place for you.
Matthew Kennedy serves as our Membership Chair. Whether you’re ready to join or just have questions about getting involved, click below to send us a message directly.Contact Us →
Resources for parents: Raising Godly Boys →Contact
Trail Life Troop 337
Chartered through Northwest Church
34800 21st Ave SW, Federal Way, WA 98023
New family? The best way to connect with us is to click below — we’re happy to answer questions before you show up.
Contact UsOn the page that opens, search “Federal Way, WA” (or zip 98023) and select Troop WA-0337 to send us a message.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Trail Life
What is Trail Life USA?
A Christian, church-based outdoor adventure and character-development program for boys ages 5-17, focused on adventure, character, and leadership.
What are Trailmen?
That's what we call our youth members — boys enrolled in the program, from kindergarten through high school.
Is this a religious program?
Yes — Trail Life is unapologetically Christ-centered. Faith is woven through everything we do, from devotions at meetings to the character qualities we teach.
Does my son have to be a member of Northwest Church to join?
No. Boys of any faith background (or none) are welcome. We do ask that families be supportive of a Christian program, since faith is central to what we do.
What age can my son start?
Boys can join as young as 5 and continue through age 17, advancing through the program with boys their age.
How is the program structured by age?
We break Trailmen into two main groups: Woodlands Trail (younger Trailmen, K-5) and Navigators & Adventurers (older Trailmen, 6th-12th grade). See our Leadership & Structure page for the full breakdown.
What do Trailmen actually do?
Weekly meetings mix hands-on skills, teamwork, and faith-based discussion, plus a monthly weekend outdoor adventure — hiking, backpacking, or camping.
Troop 337 Specifics
Where and when does Troop 337 meet?
Mondays at Northwest Church, 34800 21st Ave SW, Federal Way — 6:30-8:00 PM for younger Trailmen, 6:30-8:30 PM for Navigators & Adventurers.
How do I get in touch with Troop 337?
Click Contact Us — on the page that opens, search "Federal Way, WA" (or zip 98023), find Troop WA-0337 in the results, and click "Connect with Troop WA-0337" to send us a message directly. We'll get back to you as soon as we can.
Do you meet year-round?
Contact Us and we'll fill you in on our current meeting calendar.
What outdoor trips does Troop 337 do?
We get outside once a month on a weekend — day hikes, backpacking trips, and campouts — in addition to our weekly meetings.
Is there a cost to join?
There's a small annual national Trail Life membership fee, plus troop dues that cover our local activities and gear. Contact Us for current troop dues.
Do I need to buy a uniform right away?
No — new families can wait a bit before uniforming up. We'll walk you through what's needed once you've joined.
How do I sign my son up?
Contact Us and we'll take it from there and get you set up to visit a Monday meeting.
Safety & Parent Involvement
What safety measures are in place?
Every adult leader completes a national background check and Child Safety & Youth Protection training before working with Trailmen. We follow Trail Life's “1-2-3” protection standards: no one-on-one contact between an adult and a boy, two-deep adult leadership at all times, and a buddy system of at least three for Trailmen.
Do parents need to be involved?
Yes, and we mean that as a feature, not a chore — Trail Life is built on parent and church-member volunteers. The younger boys (Foxes, ages 5-6) need a parent at meetings; older boys' parents are encouraged to pitch in where they can.
Who do I talk to about volunteering?
Contact Us and we'll connect you with the right person to get involved.
My son isn't particularly outdoorsy — is this still for him?
Absolutely. Trail Life meets boys where they are and grows their confidence and skills over time; it's not a bootcamp, it's mentorship with adventure built in.
What if we can't make it every week?
Come when you can — consistency helps, but life happens. Reach out to your son's group leader if you'll be away for a while.
Still have questions? See the national Trail Life USA FAQ too, or read more on Trail Life's child safety standards.