BSA National Outdoor Ethics & Conservation Conference

November 8-13, 2022
Bert Adams Scout Camp, Covington, GA

Hot Topics

• New - For those flying into Atlanta for the conference, this Google form has been created to help coordinate car rides to and from the airport. Please take the time to fill it out if you need transportation between camp and the airport.
• New - The BSA Distinguished Outdoor Ethics Service Award is presented to individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions and demonstrated leadership by promoting, developing and delivering outdoor ethics related programming.
  Please see our award details and nominate someone!
  Submission deadline is November 3rd.
• NOTE - This is an in-person conference. We want to see YOU. There will be no live streaming of the conference proceedings.

Quick Links

• 
  Join our Conference Facebook group for timely updates.
• List of Classes (Partial)
• Conference-branded shirt, jacket, hat, bag, vest

What Is It?

The National Outdoor Ethics and Conservation Conference is Scouting's largest gathering of volunteers and professionals in the areas of Outdoor Ethics and Conservation within the BSA. It is two days of elective sessions, an outstanding keynote speaker, exhibits with ideas to take back with you, an opportunity to meet a talk with representatives from Leave No Trace and Tread Lightly!, contests, and fellowship with Scouting's many great outdoor leaders.

Where Is It?

Camp Bert Adams, Covington, Georgia. Bert Adams provides state-of-the-art facilities that help create convenient and comfortable camping right in Atlanta's backyard.

When Is It?

The main Conference begins with dinner at 6:00 PM on Thursday, November 10 and concludes after breakfast on Sunday, November 13.

Pre-Conference workshops are Tuesday, November 8 – Thursday, November 10.

Who Should Attend?

Anyone and everyone involved in national, service territory, council, district and unit outdoor ethics and conservation program delivery. This includes district and council Outdoor Ethics Advocates, Leave No Trace Master Educators and Trainers, Tread Lightly! Masters and Trainers, Council Conservation Committee members, Outdoor Program Professionals, Outdoor Adventure VP's, local land managers inside and outside of the BSA plus everyone interested in Outdoor Ethics/Conservation and taking it back to their council/district/unit. All participants must be 18 or older.

Keynote and General Session Speakers

• Douglas Tallamy, American entomologist, ecologist and conservationist. Author of Nature's Best Hope.
• J.D. Tanner, Education Director for Leave No Trace and Leave No Trace Traveling Trainers
• Danielle Fowles-McNiven from Tread Lightly!
• Project Learning Tree
• BSA Outdoor Ethics & Conservation Committee
• .. and more

And More

• Posters, Displays, Exhibitors and Activities
• Representatives from the National Council and our partners
• Optional Preconference Courses and Workshop
• Plenty of time for networking
• . . . and more

Technical Sessions

See our partial list of Classes to choose from on Friday and Saturday.

Contests/Exhibits

The display/exhibit area will be open from 1:00pm Thursday to 9:15pm Saturday giving attendees plenty of time to explore and vote on a wide variety of displays.

Our traditional Tabletop Board / Activity Contest consists of displays and activities related to Marketing, Activities and Theme-focused (ex. Conservation, Leave No Trace, Tread Lightly!, etc).

Two new contests for this year include the Land Ethic Grace contest and Trash to Art: Bin to Beauty contest.

More Details:

• Trash to Art
• Display Board Contest

Your entry or entries might bring home a ribbon this year! We can’t wait to see what you come up with!

Council Outdoor Ethics Advocate Workshop

Wednesday – Thursday, November 9 - 10
$110 Early / $135 Regular

Distinguished Conservation Service Award Workshop

Wednesday – Thursday, November 9 - 10
$110 Early / $135 Regular

Thursday, November 10

1:00pm - 5:30pm
Arrival and Check-in at the Love Dining Hall

1:00pm - 5:00pm
Display/Exhibit Set Up

6:00pm - 7:00pm
Evening Meal

7:00pm
Welcome and Conference Grand Opening

Friday, November 11

Breakfast
General Session
Morning Workshop Electives
Lunch
Afternoon Workshop Electives
General Session
Evening Meal
Evening General Session

Saturday, November 12

Breakfast
General Session
Morning Workshop Electives
Lunch
Afternoon Workshop Electives
Evening Meal
Keynote Speaker
Evening General Session
Social Time

Sunday, November 13

Depart for home after a Grab-n-Go breakfast, Scouts Own Service and checkout.

Registration

Includes all conference sessions, accomodations (below), 8 meals, conference gift, and supplies.

Registration is Closed.

Cancellation Fee
A $100 cancellation will apply for any reservations cancelled after October 7, 2022.

Accommodations

Conference Registration includes three nights lodging in a large capacity four-person wall tent, double occupancy, with electricity and camp-style bed and mattress. Modern shower houses are located nearby. Bring your own bedding.

There is very limited cabin space that is reserved for women only. After you register, send email to oeconference@outdoorethics-bsa.org to request a cabin spot.

Offsite Accommodations

Several hotels are located within 30 minutes of the camp. The conference registration fees will not be discounted for anyone choosing to stay offsite.

Facilities and Meals

Most conference sessions will be held in the Fort Brumley indoor/outdoor teaching facility. All meals will be served in the Love Dining Hall. Meals begin with dinner on November 10 and concludes with breakfast on November 13 (8 meals total). Please indicate any special dietary needs you may have in the dietary section of your online registration.

Camp Map

Climate

The climate in Covington during November can be summarized as mild and a little damp. Bring layered clothing that will allow you to adjust for daytime to nighttime temps. Most of the sessions will be taught in an indoor/outdoor classroom facility called Fort Brumley. The camp will provide outdoor heaters for the classrooms.

November is in the fall / autumn in Covington and is typically the 4th coldest month of the year. Daytime maximum temperatures average around a cool 65°F, while 42°F is normal at night. Check the weather and pack accordingly before your arrival.

Transportation

Bert Adams Scout Camp is in Covington, Georgia. This area is served by Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. There is easy access to multiple car rental agencies at the airport. Camp is located approximately 47 miles from the airport.

Map: Direction to Camp

Ample parking is available for private or rental vehicles near the Love Dining Hall. Shuttle service will not be provided, but the camp recommends using UBER which will bring you into the camp. After unloading your belongings, you must park in a lot, and you will not be allowed to drive around camp during the conference.

New - For those flying into Atlanta for the conference, this Google form has been created to help coordinate car rides to and from the airport. Please take the time to fill it out if you need transportation between camp and the airport.

Power, Wi-Fi/internet service and cell phone coverage

The Adventure Campsites have electricity for basic needs. Each tent has its own electrical outlet (2 plugs).

There is strong Wi-Fi network throughout the Love Dining Hall. With a strong cell signal, it is possible to most anywhere in camp to create your own hotspot.

Bert Adams has an AT&T cell tower in camp and, as a result, has excellent service for AT&T customers. Verizon and T-Mobile also enjoy strong signal as well.

Conference attire

The dress code for this conference is casual. We are not requiring uniforms, but they are always welcome.

Get your Conference-branded shirt, jacket, hat, bag, vest! Order soon to guarantee delivery before you leave for the conference!

BSA Health and Medical Form

Every participant must submit a copy of his/her current Annual BSA Health and Medical Record, Parts A and B.

Medical questions can be sent to Dr. Mike Adams at cradams@allwest.net and he will be onsite during the conference as well.

More Information?

Join our 2022 National Outdoor Ethics & Conservation Conference Facebook group for timely updates.

Please send any questions or conference suggestions to oeconference@outdoorethics-bsa.org.