Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between IronMen and IronMen Rangers?
Primarily the target age range.  The curriculum and activities are very similar, although age appropriate. For instance, the younger group (IronMen Rangers) will not climb quite as high on mountaineering trips, nor swim out as far in swimming exercises, nor have as many requirements as the older IronMen students.  The young men of IronMen (in the 13-18 year range) will be mentored into positions of leadership within the program, much like junior counselors are at a summer camp.

What is the IronMen Rangers age range?
Target Age 7-13 Years

Boys can enter the program at 7 years of age and will graduate from the IronMen Rangers program at 13 years of age; at that point they may continue with IronMen in the 13-18 yr bracket, graduating as an Alpine Ranger. We have a flexibility of +/- 1 year if they are attending with a friend and want to join together and there is a partial year difference in age. Beyond that we don’t have flexibility as topics discussed, trips and lessons learned are age specific.

Can Ladies/Girls join?
Not this program specifically. We would love to eventually have an equivalent program for the ladies, before this can happen though we need enough moms who are interested in helping direct it for it to take off. If you are interested in helping make this happen contact us and we will add you to the list of interested moms.

Does IronMen Rangers incorporate families?
We will teach young men to become servant leaders in their families. As a result there will be a few events a year that the IronMen plan specifically for entire families to participate in. Please join us for those events!

Does a father have to attend with the son?
Yes and no. If at all possible we want fathers to attend meetings and events with their sons. We are building a community of men who bring up the sons, this means father involvement is a necessary piece of the puzzle. If a father can’t be involved for whatever reason we will without judgment assign another trusted man from the community to be the mentor to the young man. Or, mom can assign another man to step in as the father figure/male mentor for the son. Often this may be a family friend, trusted mentor from church or relative such as an uncle or grandfather.

Do fathers have to be background checked and pass an application process to join IronMen or IronMen Rangers with their sons?
Not as a participant with their sons. However, those that come without sons or that officially join as Glen’s Gizmos volunteers to have to pass an application/Background check. All men will have to abide by certain guidelines for accountability, such as never being alone one on one with a young person who is not their own son.

What if dad has a case of O.L.D. or has impaired mobility/physical ability?
Join anyway, you will fit right in. We plan trips with different roles and parts so everyone will feel welcome and be necessary for the success of IronMen Rangers, even on the more physically demanding trips we can make a plan for your involvement.

How much does it cost?
There are three expense categories to consider when joining IronMen Rangers. In an effort top keep the program affordable we don't have uniforms, books or other items such as patches/badges you are required to purchase.

1. An annual membership cost, which will calculate for sibling discounts in the cart and can be paid quarterly or annually. This expense is part of the registration.
2. A cost which changes for each of the 2+ big trips a year that the IronMen Rangers plan. We won't know these specific event charges until the youth select and plan trips in their meetings. We will keep this cost as low as possible.
   
3. The cost for gear rental or purchase for monthly events and trips. Examples include layers of clothing, backpacks and shoes. Chances are your family already has many of these items, if not they can be rented, purchased or borrowed for each trip.
   

What is the time commitment?
IronMen Rangers participants are expected to attend a majority of the monthly meetings throughout the year. This is where the character development and most important part of the program resides. From there we will have 2-4 large events/expeditions a year, which are optional, although we do hope everyone attends them!

Where do the IronMen Rangers meetings happen each month?
At the Newberg Homeschool HUB (Oregon), and/or at the locations we travel to for our outdoors excursions.  These outdoor adventures will typically be within the area described by the NW quarter of Oregon, and the Western half of Washington.  These meetings involve a camp-out, camp-in (if there is a lodge involved), activities and lessons related to that area and out curricular goals of character education and Christian maturity.

Why should a family choose IronMen Ranger over other programs?

• IronMen Rangers is more than a social club, we are seeking to build an authentic community centered around a shared Christian identity which will positively impact both fathers and sons for Christ.
  
• Promoting and training youth to have positive Christian family values.
• IronMen Rangers will often be counter-cultural as American culture slides farther away from a Christian worldview.
  
• Building shared experiences between fathers and sons.
• A key objective of IronMen Rangers is to teach young men to train themselves to become mature in Christ over their lifetime, and develop the next generation of young men to be fathers and Christian leaders.
  

Can a transgender person join IronMen Rangers?
Only biological males can join IronMen or IronMen Rangers.

Can a gay man be a leader in IronMen Rangers?
No, we believe leaders are held to a higher standard and will hold our leadership to a standard based on Scripture.

Why was the name IronMen selected?
It is based on the Biblical verse “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another” (Proverbs 27:17).  The basic idea is that men can build each other up and make each other better in a healthy community.

What are examples of trips/expeditions which could occur?

• Weekend fishing trips and overnight island camping from a boat. Perhaps in freshwater, or maybe up in the Puget Sound or San Juan Islands.
• Snow shoeing and survival training including snow caving/camping.
• Climbing Mount St. Helens, Mt. Adams, Mt. Jefferson, or South Sister.
  

What are examples of service projects which could occur?

• Serving families by planning events such as a sledding and Christmas tree outing in the national forest.
• Serving for a week at a Christian Camp.
• Missions trip either locally or out-of-state.
  

What are examples of skills which could be learned?

• Firecraft
• Cleaning a fish
• Tracking
• Survival Skills
• Navigation
• Water Safety
• Planning for Trips
• Doing the Dishes
• Menu Planning and Cooking

What happens in the monthly outings/meetings?

• At local, Newberg camp-out gatherings: skill training for basic camp set-up; learning to build a fire; understanding principles of cleanliness and hygiene in the outdoors; character education / Scripture lesson; experiential lessons using hands-on activities and team experiences; planning for an upcoming trip; campfire talks and teach-ins; goal-setting for the group.
  
• At camping locations outside of Newberg: hiking, sight-seeing, photography, fishing, clamming, boating, camp set-up, camp-fire talks and lessons, special outdoor lessons and experiences (for example: orienteering with and without a compass, learning to read the local environment, ways to signal for help and emergency procedures).
  

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