The Outdoor Code

The Outdoor Code captures the essence of the Scouting Outdoor Ethic and establishes our aspirations and commitment.

The BSA first publicized the Outdoor Code in the March 1954 edition of Boys' Life magazine.

Outdoor Code

As an American, I will do my best to --

Be clean in my outdoor manners.

I will treat the outdoors as a heritage. I will take care of it for myself and others. I will keep my trash and garbage out of lakes, streams, fields, woods, and roadways.

Be careful with fire.

I will prevent wildfire. I will build my fires only when and where they are permitted and appropriate. When I have finished using a fire, I will make sure it is cold out. I will leave a clean fire ring or remove all evidence of my fire.

Be considerate in the outdoors.

I will treat the land and other land users with respect. I will follow the principles of outdoor ethics for all outdoor activities.

Be conservation-minded.

I will learn about and practice good conservation of soil, waters, forests, minerals, grasslands, wildlife and energy. I will urge others to do the same.

History of the Outdoor Code

Conservation Pledge

The precursor to BSA's Outdoor Code was the "Conservation Pledge":

• In 1946, Outdoor Life Magazine held a nationwide contest for a thirty-word Conservation Pledge.
• Over 15,000 entries were received, and the winner was announced in December 1946. (more details)
• The winning Pledge was featured on the January 1947 cover of Outdoor Life magazine.
• Boys' Life magazine printed the Conservation Pledge (as at the right) in most issues from June of 1947 (pg 41) through January of 1954 (pg 62).
• The Conservation Pledge was included in early printings (1st-7th, 1948-1954) of the 5th Edition of the Boy Scout Handbook.

Outdoor Code

Boys' Life Magazine

The Outdoor Code first appeared in Boys' Life magazine in the March 1954 issue, which featured "An Outdoor Code for Americans" and "B.S.A.'s Conservation Good Turn". The Good Turn was prompted by a request from President Dwight Eisenhower, challenging the Boy Scouts to raise public awareness of the importance of caring for natural resources.

This full page version of the Outdoor Code was on the first page of the color section (p35) of the magazine.

On page 27 Green Bar Bill announced the National Conservation Good Turn:
"The Kick-Off Activity during the week of March 21-27 will be the publicizing of the OUTDOOR CODE for Americans -- developed by the Boy Scouts of America, and promoted by all of us -- by you and me."

The article also encouraged Scouts to:

• "Spread the message wherever you can -- in your Troop, your school, your family, among your friends"
• Sign the Conservation Good Turn Pledge Card and "make your whole gang enthusiastic about doing a worthwhile job in conservation this year."
• "Place the color page of the Code .. on the wall of your Patrol den."

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Boy Scout Handbook

The Outdoor Code first appeared in the Boy Scout Handbook in February 1955, in the 8th printing of the 5th Edition. It replaced the Conservation Pledge on page 131.

(Thanks to everyone who checked their 5th Edition Handbook printings to help track this down. If anyone finds an earlier BSA publication with the Outdoor Code, please let us know.)

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Scouting Magazine

The Outdoor Code was shown as a small image of a poster and mentioned in the January 1954 edition of Scouting magazine on page 13, in the article spelling out the timeline for various activities associated with the "B.S.A.'s Conservation Good Turn":

Publicizing the Outdoor Code
An Outdoor Code for Americans has been developed. This can be used as a part of the confab, but can be presented by Units to all Americans, with the idea that the Code will serve as a guide to their outdoor manners in the future. Suggestions provide opportunities for the proclamation of the Code in school assemblies, P.T.A., civic and fraternal organizations, and in public demonstrations and rallies.

The February 1954 Scouting Magazine (pages 8-9) article on the National Conservation Good Turn explains how the Outdoor Code is part of an "Outdoor Good Manners Crusade", and shows a bigger version of part of the Outdoor Code poster.

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Program Quarterlies, Spring 1954

Both Scouting Magazine articles mention that additional details are in the 1954 Spring Program Quarterlies.

The Spring 1954 Boy Scout Program Quarterly has 2 pages explaining the Nationwide Conservation Good Turn, including information on promoting the Outdoor Code.

"Each Scout and Scouter accepting the challenge to do his part in the 1954 Conservation Good Turn will receive a Conservation Pledge Card (a pocket-size card) ... On the reverse side will be the Outdoor Code for Americans."

The monthly theme for April is Conservation, and pages 12-16 give ideas for PLC Planning, Patrol meetings and Troop meetings and activities.

The Summer 1954 Program Quarterly includes ideas for a Conservation Field Day.

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References / Other Resources

• The Wayback Machine is a great way to search and browse past issues of Boys' Life Magazine.
• See Troop 97's Scout Handbook page for information on past Scout Handbooks.
• University of North Texas Digital Projects Unit - Scouting Magazine archives. Eg search for: Scouting January 1954

Outdoor Code for Cub Scouts

The Outdoor Code has different, age-appropriate, supporting text for the Cub Scout program.

As an American, I will do my best to --

Be clean in my outdoor manners.

A Cub Scout takes care of the outdoors and keeps the outdoors clean. A Cub Scout knows that putting marks on buildings, trees, or natural objects causes permanent damage.

Be Careful with fire

A Cub Scout may enjoy a campfire only with adult leaders. A Cub Scout knows not to play with matches and lighters.

Be Considerate in the outdoors.

A Cub Scout shares our outdoor places and treats everything on the land and in the water with respect.

Be Conservation-minded

A Cub Scout works to restore the health of the land so others may enjoy, live, and learn from it as a part of the Web of Life.

1948?

Q: But many articles list 1948 as the date for the Outdoor Code?

A: Here's how that may have happened: You are looking at an old 5th Edition Boy Scout Handbook and you see the Outdoor Code on page 131. You look on the title page and see "Copyright 1948", so you logically think that the Outdoor Code was part of the handbook in 1948. But it wasn't. Flip the page - you are looking at an EIGHTH, NINTH, TENTH, ELEVENTH, or TWELFTH PRINTING of the FIFTH EDITION. The Outdoor Code wasn't in the Handbook until the 8th Printing in February 1955.

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Previous Versions of the Outdoor Code

While the four key points have not changed, there have been many revisions of the wording describing each of the points over the years.