Outdoor Ethics

Instilling values in young people and preparing them to make ethical choices throughout their lifetime is the mission of the Boy Scouts of America.

Outdoor Code As an American, I will do my best to:

Be clean in my outdoor manners
Be careful with fire
Be considerate in the outdoors
Be conservation minded

The BSA's Outdoor Ethic is summarized in the Outdoor Code.

Scouting has adopted the Principles of Leave No Trace to build upon the ethic in the Outdoor Code and to provide more specific outdoor use guidelines and skills.

Leave No Trace

Princples of Leave No Trace

Plan Ahead and Prepare
Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
Dispose of Waste Properly
Leave What You Find
Minimize Campfire Impacts
Respect Wildlife
Be Considerate of Other Visitors

Rather than a set of rules, Leave No Trace is an awareness, an attitude, a way of life and advanced outdoor skills.

Every outing should be conducted with Leave No Trace in mind.

Leave No Trace has been a program emphasis of the Longs Peak Council since 1994. Along with National BSA, the Longs Peak Council is one of only two Boy Scout councils in the nation (as of January 2010) who are official Partners of the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics.

What's New

BSA Leave No Trace - What's New

Powerpoint presentation - spring 2010
More details on the increased Leave No Trace emphasis, Trainer position, Resources, and courses.

New Rank Requirements

Effective January 1, 2010 - There are several new Leave No Trace related rank requirements: LNT Trainer Position Patch

Second Class

2 - Discuss the principles of Leave No Trace
3b - On one of these campouts, select your patrol site and sleep in a tent that you pitched.
Explain what factors you should consider when choosing a patrol site and where to pitch a tent.
First Class

3 - Since joining, have participated in ten separate troop/patrol activities (other than troop/patrol meetings), three of which included camping overnight.
Demonstrate the principles of Leave No Trace on these outings.
Star, Life, and Eagle

5 - Leave No Trace Trainer is a new qualifying leadership position

Leave No Trace Courses

BSA Leave No Trace Trainer

LNT Trainer Courses are open to adult Scouters and to Scouts 14 and older.

October 15-16, 2010, Cheyenne (Friday evening, all day Saturday) - tentative

BSA Leave No Trace Master Educator

(5-day course - $240-$500)

LNT Master Educator Courses are open to adult Scouters (18 and older).

Aug 27-29 and Sept 3-6
Camp Tahosa
Hosted by Denver Area Council
$240
Course Flyer
Online Information and Registration
More opportunities in other states

Leave No Trace Resources

Boy Scouts of America: BSA's New Outdoor Ethics website : outdoorethics-bsa.org (under construction); Boy Scout Handbook; BSA Fieldbook; Teaching Leave No Trace; Leave No Trace Award Requirements - Boy Scouts | Cub Scouts
Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics
The Center for Responsible Outdoor Activities and Recreation (ROAR)
Tread Lightly


Leave No Trace Awareness Awards

Back to LPC Conservation Home Page

Last Updated Saturday, 19-Jun-2010 22:21:15 MDT