PURPOSE
The threefold purpose of FCF is to:
1. Inspire brotherhood among our members
2. Promote personal development through advancement and training
3. Provide valuable service to Royal Rangers and beyond
Additional details on the purpose of FCF can be found in the FCF Handbook (item #020540).
"I share with you the warmth and glow of this campfire. These crimson flames are a symbol of our fellowship and adventures in camping. I promise to share with you the warmth of Christian friendship and with others the light of my Christian testimony. I promise to keep alive the spirit of FCF in my personal life and to observe at all times the principles of Royal Rangers."
"To Give and to Serve" (In Latin: "Ad Dare Servire")
The blazing campfire is the official symbol of FCF, demonstrated through the warmth of Christian love, the light of personal witness, and the usefulness of dedicated service. The FCF symbol includes five logs which represent the five elements that are essential to keeping alive the spirit of FCF.
Every FCF member is encouraged to:
- Demonstrate Courage
- Pursue Achievement
- Develop Friendships
- Practice Leadership
- Display Woodsmanship
FCF membership is open to all Royal Rangers men and boys who meet the requirements as stated below. FCF features three levels of membership. All members bear the title of “Frontiersman”. Those who take on the challenge of further developing their frontier knowledge and skills may complete additional requirements to attain the status of “Buckskin Frontiersman.” Those who demonstrate the highest level of skill may become “Wilderness Frontiersman”. The process of attaining these three sequential levels of membership is referred to as the "Trail of the Grizzly."
FRONTIERSMAN REQUIREMENTS
In order to become a member of FCF and attain “Frontiersman” status individuals must satisfy the following requirements.
FOR BOYS
- Be at least 11 years old and a graduate of the 5th grade
- Complete a Frontier Adventure event. (contact your district for details)
- Be an active member of a chartered Royal Rangers outpost.
- Complete all requirements for the following skill merits: Camping and First Aid Skills (or First Aid/CPR).
FOR LEADERS
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Complete a Frontier Adventure event. (contact your district for details)
- Be an active member of a chartered Royal Rangers outpost.
- Be in good standing in your church, regularly practicing a Christlike lifestyle.
- Earn the READY and SAFETY levels of the Outpost Leader Advancement Levels of training.
BUCKSKIN REQUIREMENTS
Boys Only
Complete one of the following:
- Adventure Rangers Silver Medal
- Expedition Rangers E2
Leaders Only
- Complete the Trained Leader of the Outpost Leaders Advancement Level (OLAL)
- Sponsor a boy into FCF membership.
Boys and Leaders
- Be an FCF member in good standing for one year.
- Earned Company Trapper award in Trappers Brigade.
- Assist in conducting a Frontier Adventure.
- Be an active member of a chartered Royal Rangers outpost.
- Be a member in good standing in your local church.
- Complete the Buckskin Challenge Workbook
- Complete a Buckskin Challenge.
WILDERNESS REQUIREMENTS
Boys Only
Complete one of the following
- Adventure Rangers Gold Medal of Achievement
- Expedition Rangers E3
- Sponsor a Boy into FCF membership
Leaders Only
- Complete the Advanced Leader Outpost Leaders Advancement Level (OLAL)
- Sponsor a second boy into FCF membership.
Boys and Leaders
- Be an FCF member in good standing for two years
- Earn the Bourgeois Trapper award in Trappers Brigade
- Assist in conducting a second Frontier Adventure
- Be an active member of a chartered Royal Rangers outpost
- Be an member in good standing of your local church
- Complete the Wilderness Vigil workbook
- Complete a Wilderness Vigil.
EL DORADO CHAPTER GOALS
- Frontiersmen
- Mountainman Outfit Judging Form
- Company Trapper (40 hours)
(5-Outpost, 5-Church, 5-Community, 5-Missions, 20-Other)
- Buckskin
- Cooking Competition Score Sheet
- Bourgeois Trapper (80 hours)
(10-Outpost, 10-Church, 10-Community, 10-Missions, 40-Other)
- Wilderness
- Campsite Judging Form
- Free Trapper (120 hours)
(15-Outpost, 15-Church, 15-Community, 15-Missions, 60-Other)
TRAPPERS BRIGADE
Brigade is a service aspect of FCF that promotes the active and ongoing involvement of FCF members in service to their outpost, church, community and world.
To participate in the Trappers Brigade program an FCF member must meet the following qualifications:
- Be an FCF member in good standing with your chapter and district. “Member in good standing” is defined as having participated in at least one FCF event or activity during the last 12 months and being actively involved in a charted Royal Rangers outpost.
- Be actively involved in your local church, faithful in church attendance, tithing, missions giving; and honoring to church leadership.
FCF RESOURCE LINKS
FCF ARROWHEAD MERIT SERIES
These Silver Merits are part of the Arrowhead merit series developed by the Frontiersmen Camping Fellowship (FCF). Although Arrowhead merits are intended to provide FCF members with specialized training on advanced frontier skills, any Royal Rangers boy may earn an Arrowhead merit and any Royal Rangers leader may teach an Arrowhead merit regardless of FCF membership status. As with any merit, the boy’s group leader approves the completion of all Arrowhead merits.
Boys seeking to earn this skill merit or adult leaders seeking to earn the related Arrowhead award must accumulate a minimum of 15 points from any combination of the following requirements. For information on Arrowhead merits and Arrowhead awards, refer to the Frontiersmen Camping Fellowship Handbook (2014 edition).
NATIONAL FCF WEBSITE
Information on additional requirements for Buckskin and Wilderness.
Frontiersman status can be found in the FCF Handbook, available from MyHealthyChurch.com (item #020540).
