Leave No Trace

The Boy Scouts of America is committed to Leave No Trace, which is a nationally recognized outdoor skills and ethics awareness program. The seven principles of Leave No Trace are guidelines to follow at all times:

1. Plan Ahead and Prepare
2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
3. Dispose of Waste Properly
4. Leave What You Find
5. Minimize Campfire Impacts
6. Respect Wildlife
7. Be Considerate of Other Visitors

Regardless of your favorite outdoor activity,  Leave No Trace skills are important to learn. Leave No Trace courses function like a pyramid. Master Educator courses are at the top of the pyramid and train people to become comprehensive Leave No Trace educators, or Master Educators. Master Educators, in turn, teach the second level, the Trainer Course, to people who become Leave No Trace Trainers. Trainers are then able to conduct the third level of training called Awareness Workshops, which are designed to promote Leave No Trace.

Recently the Boy Scouts of America became an organizational provider of the Leave No Trace Master Educator course. Participants in the BSA Leave No Trace Master Educator course must be at least 18 years old by the end of the course and be registered with the Boy Scouts of America. A BSA Master Educator course is typically six days in length (one week or two 3-day weekends) and designed for Scouters who actively teach others outdoor skills. This valuable training is recognized throughout the world by the outdoor industry, land management agencies and the outdoor recreation community. Successful graduates of the Master Educator course have the ability to train others in Leave No Trace skills as well as facilitate Leave No Trace Trainer courses and Awareness Workshops.

A list of current BSA Master Educator courses can be found at: http://www.tcfroar.org/boyscoutofamerica2008mastereducatorcourses.html

In 2008, four courses will be offered in Central Region:

Camp Bartle, Kansas
Backpacking
Thursday, April 17 to Monday, April 21

Camp Oyo, Ohio
Backpacking
April 18 – 20 and April 25 – 27

Camp Lowden,
Illinois Kettle Moraine State Park, Wisconsin
Backpacking
September 26 – 28 and October 10 – 13

Old Ben Scout Reservation,
Indiana Hoosier National Forest, Indiana
Backpacking & Frontcountry
October 3 – 5 and 17 – 20

Courses are also offered at all three National High Adventure bases and the other regions.

For more information about Leave No Trace, please visit:
http://www.lnt.org/main.html
http://www.scouting.org/boyscouts/resources/21-105/index.html
http://www.scouting.org/boyscouts/resources/21-117/index.html
http://www.scoutingmagazine.org/issues/9903/a-plnt.html