Outdoor Ethics in BSA Outdoor Programs
Overview
Outdoor Ethics is the umbrella term for how a Scout relates to the outdoors.- The Outdoor Code is Scouting's aspirational statement of Outdoor Ethics.
- To support the Outdoor Code with proven principles and skills, Scouting has incorporated Leave No Trace, for non-motorized outdoor activities, and Tread Lightly!, for motorized activities.
- The Land Ethic challenges us to be committed to conservation and stewardship of our environment.
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.
Many Aspects of Outdoor Ethics in the BSA's Outdoor Programs
Scouting is moving aggressively to reclaim a leading role in outdoor ethics education.Outdoor Ethics, especially Leave No Trace, is gradually becoming pervasive in the BSA's outdoor programs, training and publications.
The significant progress over the past 20+ years is a result of the hard work and guidance of the BSA's Outdoor Ethics & Conservation Subcommittee (formerly leave No Trace Task Force), with strong support from our partners, the BSA's national program leadership, and the various BSA program, advancement, training, awards, uniform, supply, ... teams.
BSA Outdoor Ethics & Conservation Subcommittee
Originally formed in 2005 as the BSA's Leave No Trace Task Force, in fall 2021 the Outdoor Ethics Subcommittee and the Conservation Subcommittee were combined. The Outdoor Ethics & Conservation Committee mission is to encourage, advise, and support the inclusion of outdoor ethics and conservation in all program areas of Scouting, and to support our councils' outdoor ethics & conservation programs.Leave No Trace
Leave No Trace is a key partner.
- Their Principles of Leave No Trace provide a strong, science-based set of practical tools to guide our outdoor activities.
- They have a strong teaching emphasis with excellent supporting materials.
- Their training structure of Level 1 & 2 Instructors provides a model for educating our Scouts and Scouters.
- Their Skills and Ethics pamphlets are key practical guides to ethical decision making and skills for many Scouting outdoor environments and activities.
Tread Lightly!
The focus of Tread Lightly! is mechanized outdoor recreation, so the BSA has partnered with the Tread Lightly! organization to provide specific practical outdoor ethics guidance for our motorized activities.
The Land Ethic
Our responsibility to understand, appreciate and respect our wildlands is part of being "conservation-minded"."The Land Ethic", introduced in Aldo Leopold's Sand County Almanac, reflects our historic commitment to conservation and service, but also challenges us to assume personal responsibility for minimizing our impacts and for active stewardship in the outdoors.
Outdoor Ethics Guide
This youth leadership position of responsibility qualifies as a leadership position for upper ranks.More Information
Outdoor Ethics Training
Training is the biggest organized component of outdoor ethics in the Scouting program (based on the number of people involved).
The BSA is an approved provider of Leave No Trace Master Educator (ME) courses. These courses are hosted by councils or our national high adventure bases, and organized/staffed under the supervision of the OE TF.
We have been offering 10+ Level 2 Instructor (formerly called Master Educator) courses a year across the nation, and dozens of Level 1 Instructor (formerly called Trainer) courses, making us the second largest provider of Leave No Trace training.
See our Training page for more details on the courses.
See our Leave No Trace Level 2 Instructor Courses and Calendar to find upcoming courses.
Scouting's Outdoor Training
Leave No Trace is pervasive in the Introduction to Outdoor Leadership Skills (IOLS) and BALOO trainings.Success can only be partial at the syllabus level, we must staff outdoor leadership courses with effective teachers, trained in outdoor ethics, preferably with at least Leave No Trace Level 1 Instructor understanding!
We MUST CAPTURE the hearts and minds of youth leaders in NAYLE and NYLT and adults in Wood Badge, IOLS and BALOO!
Council Outdoor Ethics Advocate
The OE TF knew they couldn't personally bring Outdoor Ethics to all 270 councils of the BSA.The Council Outdoor Ethics Advocate (COEA) is an "official" council level volunteer position.
Key responsibilities are Training, Recruiting, Promotion, and Reporting.
Outdoor Ethics & Conservation Managers and Coordinators
Our Program Operations support model clusters councils into state-based Zones. Each Zone has an Outdoor Ethics & Conservation (OEC) Coordinator. The Zones are grouped into Divisions which each have an OEC Manager. The Managers provide support and leadership to their Zone Coordinators.- List of Councils by Division/Zone
(Click your Council to see your Council OE Advocate, OEC Coordinator and OEC Manager.) - Program Operations Service Plan
- Program Support Divisions Map
OE Awards
The Outdoor Ethics Awareness and Action Awards encourage youth and adults to learn more about outdoor ethics and to take action.Conservation and Stewardship
Conservation and Service have been a key part of Scouting's heritage since the beginning.
These components of Scouting's Outdoor Ethics are organizationally a separate part of the BSA's Outdoor Programs function.
More Information
BSA Publications
From the first inclusion of Leave No Trace in the 1998 Boy Scout Handbook, to a full chapter in the 2010 revision, ...The 2014 Fieldbook has a new Environmental Protection Section with chapters on Leave No Trace and Stewardship, and dozens of references in the chapters!
Jamborees & Events
The OE Committee sets up educational activity booths at National Jamborees, World Jamborees and events such as NOAC - the National Order of the Arrow Conference and VenturingFest.
Camps and Properties
Many Councils are incorporating Leave No Trace and Tread Lightly! into their camp programs to support the sustainability of their camps and properties.(Let's collect and provide access to these resources on this website.)
Facebook, Social Media
Our discussion forums for scouting outdoor ethics topics:
Website
The BSA's Outdoor Ethics & Conservation Subcommittee provides this website as a resource to everyone who is teaching, learning and promoting Outdoor Ethics in Scouting.Questions, issues, and requests specifically related to the website can be directed to the webmaster.
See our contacts page for your other Outdoor Ethics questions.