Ready Always - Pursuit
Truth. Character. Skills. Adventure.

Pursuit

A Christian organization for families who want truth, readiness, resilience, and meaningful challenge shaped by faith, family, and service. 1 Peter 3:15 - Ready Always.

About Pursuit

Training Families for Readiness

Pursuit equips boys and young men, and girls and young ladies, through outdoor challenge, practical skill, and family-led discipleship. Our aim is to help youth grow closer to God, their families, and each other while developing maturity, capability, and character.

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Meeting Dates2nd and 4th Mondays, 6:30-8:00 PM, January-May and August-November.
LocationYates-Thagard Baptist Church, Carthage, NC. The church is blessed with 40 acres of land for training.
Troop OrganizationYounger Boys and Girls (age 5-8), Older Boys and Girls (age 9-12), Young Men and Women (age 13-18).

Our Training

All training events are planned, resourced, and led by our parents. Topics vary and have included: obstacle courses, survival, fire, shelter, ropes, first aid, welding, framing/woodworking, radios, map reading and land navigation, plenty of hiking, and other scout/survival/outdoor skills. We believe boys and girls learn differently; after a brief combined opening, boys and girls train separately.

Every Day Carry (EDC) Bag

We encourage youth to carry an EDC bag to build responsibility. Bring what you have and build your kit as you're able. Common items include:

  • Water (required)
  • Rain gear; coat/jacket as needed
  • Pocket knife (use good judgment; generally older youth)
  • First-aid kit
  • Compass
  • Flashlight or headlamp
  • Sunscreen / bug spray
  • Notepad & pen/pencil
  • Hat

Cost

Annual dues are $40 per youth to help fund larger activities. To keep Pursuit accessible, we have no formal uniforms - we prefer families invest in tools or gear that help youth be "ready always."

Although we're parent-led and resourced, donations to support the Troop are appreciated. Give here.

Pursuit training on the church grounds

Foundations

Truth, Character, Skills, Adventure

Pursuit is a framework for forming ready families - grounded in Scripture, shaped by discipline, equipped with practical skill, and strengthened through challenge.

Truth

Grounded in Matthew 22:37 and 39, and prepared according to 1 Peter 3:15.

  • Inspire families to love God fully and love their neighbor as themselves.
  • Prepare families to be ready always to give an answer for the hope that is in them.
  • Strengthen families in the truth found in the Bible and in life lived in service of God, family, and country.

Character

Readiness begins with moral steadiness, service, and courage under pressure.

  • Prepare families to stand strong in the Lord through the ups and downs of everyday life.
  • Develop men and women of outstanding moral and ethical qualities through confident example, encouraging words, and courageous actions.
  • Foster an attitude that reflects the Fruits of the Spirit.

Skills

Practical training for resilience in daily life and in the outdoors.

  • Leadership, general preparedness, Every Day Carry (EDC), and readiness mindset.
  • First aid / medical, emergency power and distribution, knots and lashings.
  • Camping, backpacking, canoeing, shelters, fire starting, map reading, navigation, and field hygiene.

Adventure

Challenge and shared struggle are part of how resilience is formed.

  • Age-group hikes accomplishing 15, 30 or 50 miles over 2-3 days.
  • Unique opportunities such as high-angle ropes/rappelling, welding, firearms range days, and service projects.
  • Monday night meetings begin with a devotional and continue into challenging and engaging training.

Field Life

Real Skills in the Real World

Training happens in the weather, on the ground, and under responsibility. These moments show the kind of instruction and tested competence that shape Pursuit.

Pursuit climbing and challenge training

Challenge with Responsibility

Shared instruction, careful oversight, and hands-on challenge help youth carry responsibility with steadiness, courage, and self-control.

Pursuit youth learning night observation and field skills

Preparedness Mindset

Training builds confidence, composure, and practical readiness that carries from the field into everyday life.

Fire and campcraft training

Outdoor Competence

Fire, shelter, navigation, first aid, and fieldcraft are core disciplines for forming capable young men and women.

Our Regular Meetings Monday night meetings begin with a devotional and continue into challenging, engaging training. We are almost always outdoors regardless of the weather, because resilience is not formed in a classroom.

FAQ

What Families Usually Ask

Do boys and girls train together?

No. Our opening ceremony is combined, but patrols split up for training. We believe boys and girls learn differently and are best trained separately. We do try to sync topics between groups.

Do we need to be members of Yates-Thagard Baptist Church?

No. Pursuit is led by like-minded Christian fathers, mothers, and grandparents who want to challenge our children and grow with them spiritually. Most Pursuit families are not Yates-Thagard members.

How do you communicate?

We use NextCloud Talk with chat groups per patrol. Once registered and approved you will be added to the age specific Troop chats.

Is there a permission slip / waiver?

Yes. All scouting activities include some degree of risk. The registration form below includes our Statement of Faith, permission slip, waiver, and Troop regulations. These are required to participate.

What is the role of parents in the Troop?

Parental involvement is very important and highly encouraged. Pursuit is not a drop-off activity; speak with your Troop or Patrol leader if you have a special situation.

When and where do you meet?

We generally meet the 2nd and 4th Mondays between Jan-May and Aug-Nov (we may break early in November for Live Nativity). We meet at 6:30 PM at the back house of Yates-Thagard Baptist Church-follow the gravel road past the ball field. The church has 40 acres available for activities.

Registration

Join the Pursuit

Submit the form, complete dues through Pushpay, and your account will be created for leadership review.

Before you submit: Primary parent or guardian information is required. Add each child with gender and age, and include birthdays whenever you can so cohort placement can stay current as children age up. Additional parent details are optional. The waiver and Statement of Faith are required to participate.
Pursuit range day training
Waiver & General Regulations
I (parent or guardian) understand that participation in Pursuit, sponsored by Yates-Thagard Baptist Church, activities involve a certain degree of risk inherent in all outdoor scout training, and that these can result in injury or death. By signing this form, I authorize my child to participate in these activities and I agree to assume and accept all risks and hazards inherent in this activity. I also agree not to hold Yates-Thagard Baptist Church, its employees, or volunteer assistants liable for damages, losses, or injuries. I understand that I am signing for the minor listed on this form and the signature is for both medical and liability release. In case of emergency, I understand that every effort will be made to contact me. In the event I cannot be reached, I hereby give my permission to the physician selected by the adult leader(s) in charge to secure proper treatment, including for minor injuries, hospitalization, anesthesia, surgery, or injections of medication to my child. In the event of injury or illness, I understand that church insurance is only secondary insurance, that my medical insurance carrier is primary insurance, and that the church will not be held financially responsible. General Regulations - Parental involvement is required; off-church training requires parent attendance unless approved by leadership. - Extended family welcome; unaffiliated adults may not participate. - Not a drop-off program; exceptions require direct coordination with leadership. - 2 to 1 Rule: no child alone with an adult. - Conduct must align with the Statement of Faith (What We Believe); report concerns to Troop leadership. - Leadership must complete a background check and align with "What We Believe". - As a Church, leadership uses the KJV translation when leading and teaching in the context of the Troop. - Dues: $40/child for first two; $20 for third; annual cap $100.
Primary Parent/Guardian
Additional Parent/Guardian (optional)
Children

Add each child with gender and age. Birthday is optional for now, but recommended so cohorts can stay current automatically.

On submit you'll be sent to Pushpay to complete dues. After payment you'll see a confirmation page; your account will be created and sent for leadership review.