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Outdoor Code: Learn how to sign the Outdoor Code

Leave No Trace #1: Name That Principle

Great patrol activity, group size 7-10. (Some principles include several topics that can be separated)

Each member is assigned one of the Leave No Trace Principles known only to them:

1. Collect the materials needed to present the principle.
2. Put together a presentation – preferably set up outside - without using the name of the principle.
3. Your presentation can be done by taking a picture, by video, or any other means that does not require face to face meeting.

Post all presentations in a location where the unit has deemed safe for members to view.

Have unit members study the entries and determine which principle was assigned for each presentation.

Want to challenge unit members? Set a time limit to identify as many of the presentations as possible.

Have each member report to the group (5 minutes or less) on their presentation – what was their assigned principle and what they represented in their presentation.

Leave No Trace #2: Okay vs. No Way

From Bigfoot's Playbook - modified to be conducted via video conference.

https://lnt.org/research-resources/okay-vs-no-way/

Playbook Supplements: https://lnt.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/BFPB-Activity-Materials-Packet.pdf, pgs. 24-27

Troop activity, divided into patrols or small teams

Identify a leader (youth or adult) to run the activity. The leader will need the question cards printed out (p. 25).

Have each of the unit members create two "paddles" – 2 pieces of paper, with one that says, "Okay" and the other that says, "No Way." Or use a green piece of paper for "Okay" and a red piece of paper for "No Way". The goal is to have a way to easily see on the screen how everyone is voting.

Give each patrol or small team +1 point for each member that votes correctly and -1 point for each member that votes incorrectly. Go through all the cards, taking care to discuss why each question was Okay or No Way after everyone has voted. Scoring is just for fun.

Debrief the Group with questions #1 and #2. Challenge each patrol or small team to write up 2 or 3 questions to address other minimum impact ideas related to the 7 Principles of Leave No Trace. Play the game again at a future meeting with the new questions.

Leave No Trace #3: No Campfire, No Problem

https://lnt.org/research-resources/no-campfire-no-problem/

Leave No Trace #4:

Pick one of the many activities out of Teaching Leave No Trace to conduct with your unit:
https://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/21-117.pdf

Tread Lightly #1: Ethics Game

- Adapted for video conference call

Troop activity

Participants will develop a greater appreciation and understanding of their own personal outdoor ethic and how that relates to others.

Objective:

Participants will be able to describe what outdoor ethics are and their importance.

Materials:

Ethics situation cards

Time Considerations:

15 to 20 minutes

Directions:

Have participants think of one of their favorite outdoor places and what it means to them. Share your favorite place then have some, or all, share theirs. Have them think - what if their favorite place was ruined? In order to have outdoor ethics, people have to have that connection to nature. But what are ethics? Ask for a definition. (what you do when no one is looking)

Tell participants they're going to have two situations to choose from each round. They will pick the situation that most offends or disturbs them. Read the two situations, have the participants vote by raising their left hand if they are more offended by the situation in your right hand or raise their right hand if they are more offended by the situation in your left hand (voting is backwards to make it easier for you to see on the video screen which side they favor). Select a spokesperson from each group to share their main reason for selecting that situation. Ask if anyone wants to switch which situation offends them most now that they heard the other group's perspective. Repeat this for a few rounds. At the end explain how different people can have different reactions to various impacts that they may find outdoors; it's important to respect that so they will return the favor.

Tread Lightly #2: Scenarios

Instructions

Tread Lightly #3: My Favorite Place in Nature

Objective:

Use art and words to describe their favorite place in nature

Describe how they would feel if this place was damaged (impacted) by other people

Duration:

30 minutes to an hour (or longer depending on discussion)

Materials:

Paper, Coloring Supplies, Pencil

Directions:

1. Provide scouts with a piece of paper and ask them to draw and color their favorite place in nature. To get them thinking ask questions like "Does your family go camping in a special place? Is there a place like a national park you have visited that you loved?"
2. Have scouts title their picture My Favorite Place in Nature is _________________.
3. On the back of the picture have scouts answer the question "Why this is my favorite place in nature?" Ask for volunteers to share about their favorite place and why it is special.
4. On the back of the picture have scouts answer the question "How would it feel if this place was damaged by other people?" Some examples of damage could be pollution, litter, plants damaged by trampling of vehicle tires, and etc. Ask for volunteers to share about how it would feel to find their favorite placed damaged.
5. Pose following question or something similar. "Why it is important to treat all environments with care?

Tread Lightly #4: Pet Peeve Role Reversal

Participants discover motivations for outdoor pet peeves and determine alternatives to offer for better behavior.

Objective:

Participants will be able to constructively offer suggestions against two negative habits.

Materials:

Pet Peeve Cards

Time Considerations:

15 to 20 minutes

Directions:

Give each participant, or in pairs, a pet peeve or bad habit. Have them think of an argument of why someone would think they would benefit from that action. Then have them think of a solution. Have them share both with the group

Example: Camping in a meadow.

Argument for:

All of the lush plants and soft ground make for a comfy bed.

Solution:

Those lush plants are sensitive to trampling and can take a long time to recover, plus once one person camps in an area it gives others the idea to do the same resulting in more damage to a sensitive area. Also, meadows tend to have moisture, which means mud, so your equipment could get extra dirty.

Scout requirements that can be worked on from home:

1.c. Explain how each of the four points of the Outdoor Code guides your actions when outdoors.

2. Do the following:

1. Read Chapter 7 of the Boy Scout Handbook on Outdoor Ethics.
2. Teach a skill related to the Outdoor Code or Leave No Trace to another Scout in your troop or another Scouting unit. (Can be conducted via video call.)

Scouter requirements that can be worked on from home:

1.c. Discuss with your troop how each of the four points of the Outdoor Code guides your actions when outdoors.

2. Read the North American Skills & Ethics booklet to learn about the seven principles of Leave No Trace. Review the principles of Tread Lightly! Review Chapter 7 of the Boy Scout Handbook and Fieldbook chapters about Outdoor Ethics, using stoves and campfires, hygiene and waste disposal, and traveling and camping in special environments.

Venturer requirements that can be worked on from home:

1.c. Explain how you live up to each of the four points of the Outdoor Code during an outing or adventure.

2.Do the following:

1. Read Fieldbook chapters about Leave No Trace, using stoves and campfires, hygiene and waste disposal, and traveling and camping in special environments. Review the discussion of Leave No Trace in the Ranger Guidebook, and the foreword and chapters on Conservation Aesthetic, Wilderness, and Land Ethic in A Sand County Almanac by Aldo Leopold. Explain in your own words what Leopold meant when he stated, "A thing is right when it tends to preserve the integrity, stability, and beauty of the biotic community. It is wrong when it does otherwise."
2. Lead a group approved by your unit leader in an activity that explores differing ethical viewpoints using materials from Scouting's outdoor ethics page, Leave No Trace, or Tread Lightly!
   (Can be conducted via video call.)

Venturing Advisor requirements that can be worked on from home:

1.c. Participate in a discussion with your crew of how each of the four points of the Outdoor Code guides your actions when outdoors.

2. Do the following:

1. Read the North American Skills & Ethics booklet to learn about the seven principles of Leave No Trace. Review the principles of Tread Lightly! Review Fieldbook chapters about Leave No Trace, using stoves and campfires, hygiene and waste disposal, and traveling and camping in special environments. Review the discussion of Leave No Trace in the Ranger Guidebook, and the foreword and chapters on Conservation Aesthetic, Wilderness, and Land Ethic in A Sand County Almanac by Aldo Leopold. Explain in your own words what Leopold meant when he stated, "A thing is right when it tends to preserve the integrity, stability, and beauty of the biotic community. It is wrong when it does otherwise."
2. Serve as an Advisor for your crew in an activity that explores differing ethical viewpoints using materials from Scouting's outdoor ethics page, Leave No Trace, or Tread Lightly!
   (Can be conducted via video call.)