Winnebago Council > Camping & Outdoor Program > Conservation And Outdoor Ethics

Conservation And Outdoor Ethics

Conservation and Outdoor Ethics in the Boy Scouts of America and the Winnebago Council go hand in hand.  They are the building blocks to saving our environment and our wild lands.  Follow the links below to learn more about each program.

Cub scout standing in a field looking through binoculars

Outdoor Ethics

One day a man was walking along the beach when he noticed a boy picking something up and gently throwing it into the ocean. Approaching the boy, he asked, "What are you doing?"

The youth replied, "Throwing starfish back into the ocean. The surf is up and the tide is going out. If I don't throw them back, they'll die."

"Son," the man said, "don't you realize there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish? You can't make a difference!"

After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish, and threw it back into the sure. Then, smiling at the man, he said, "I made a difference for that one."

(Original story by Loren Eisley)

So it is when we are involved in outdoor activities. We can't control what everyone else is or is not doing, but we can make a difference with our personal actions. The Boy Scouts of America represents one of the single largest presences in our outdoors, and as such, we can have the single largest impact, either positively or negatively.

The Boy Scouts of America has recognized this and has partnered with the TreadLightly! and The Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics to promote a positive Outdoor Ethic. In 2005, the Boy Scouts of America signed a formal agreement to partner with the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics, an educational, nonprofit organization dedicated to the responsible enjoyment and active stewardship of the outdoors. Scouting, Leave No Trace, and TreadLightly! share a common commitment to ethical use of the outdoors. To enhance the partnership, the BSA National Council announced the changes to the Scouting program, effective January 1st, 2010. These changes included emphasizing knowledge of practice of Leave No Trace skills and ethics, which are included in the Second Class and First Class rank requirements. In addition to advancement, youth and adult awards, and training, the youth leadership position of Leave No Trace Trainer, and the Council level position of Council Outdoor Ethics Advocate were created.

As your Council Outdoor Ethics Advocate, I will use this link on the council web-site to keep you abreast of current skills and practices, upcoming training, and award advancement opportunities.

Yours in service to the Environment,
Edward "Special Ed" DePaepe
Winnebago Council Outdoor Ethics Advocate
[email protected]

Outdoor Ethics Education:

The seven principles 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

"Leave No Trace" It's what Scouts should do! These seven principles listed above are not rules. They are ethical principles that will guide us when we go out and experience the outdoors. The principles of Leave No Trace might seem unimportant until you consider the combined effect of millions of outdoor visitors, including Boy Scouts. One poorly located campsite or campfire may have little significance, but thousands of such instances seriously degrade the outdoor experience for all. Leaving no trace is everyone's responsibility.

Outdoor Ethics Training Opportunities

  • Bighorn Mountain TRAIL Boss    (7-day course in the Bighorn National Forest, Wyoming) - This “high adventure” course is for interested adults and youth, especially those youth who will be serving as their troop's LNT Trainer or Guide.   The course will also include TRAIL Boss training and certification, working alongside the USFS on a trail improvement project.  This link will take you to the Winnebago Council’s training calendar where you find additional information and registration. 25th – 31st of July, 2021.
  • LNT Master Educator Course (6-day course in Fairfield Bay, Arkansas) For those over the age of 18, who wish to teach LNT skills and principles to the youth and adults in their unit and district. This link will take you to the Winnebago Council’s training calendar where you find additional information and registration (14th – 19th of May, 2021)
  • Leave No Trace - the short course. This 11- slide PowerPoint presentation is a self-guided discussion of the seven Leave No Trace Principles. It can be used during small group, pack or troop discussions.

*****Please note that the above opportunities are linked directly to the Council Training Calendar.

Useful Outdoor Ethics Resource Links:

The 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 where they are 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 public and private property with respect.
    I will use low-impact methods of hiking and camping.
    and
  • Be conservation minded.
    I will learn how to practice good conservation of soil, waters, forests, minerals, grasslands, wildlife, and energy.
    I will urge others to do the same.

Useful BSA Conservation Links:

Conservation and Environment | Boy Scouts of America (scouting.org)
This link contains information on a wide range of BSA conservation topics: