About Leave No Trace
Leave No Trace is an outdoor ethics program which encourages responsible use of outdoor resources. The frontcountry guidelines are the guidelines for day-use areas like parks and trails. It is a good idea to review these before participating in an outdoor activity.
Discussing the Leave No Trace Frontcountry Guidelines is one of the requirements for the Cub Scout Leave No Trace Award. The other requirements for this award vary depending on which age level the Cub Scouts are. See the documents below for the other requirements for each level.
Leave No Trace Frontcountry Guidelines
Plan Ahead
- Know the local rules and regulations.
- Remember to bring food, water, and appropriate clothing.
- Bring a map so you don’t get lost.
- Bring a bag to pack out your trash.
- Don’t forget a leash for your pet.
- Take the time to learn about the area.
Stick to Trails
- Stay on the trails as they are marked if you can.
- Try not to disturb wildflowers and other plants. That way everyone can enjoy them!
- Don’t trespass on private property.
Manage Your Pet
- Keep your pet on a leash at all times.
- Use a plastic bag to pack out your pet’s waste.
- Do not let your pet chase wildlife.
Leave What You Find
- Don’t pick wildflowers.
- Leave rocks and other objects where they are so others can see them also.
- Do not mark or carve into living plants.
Respect Other Visitors
- Be courteous to others on trails when biking or running.
- Make room for others on trails and be cautious when passing.
- Don’t disturb others by making lots of noise or playing loud music.
- Respect “No Trespassing” and “Do Not Enter” signs.
Trash Your Trash
- Remove any trash you bring with you. Make sure it is put in a receptacle or take it with you.
- Even natural materials, like bits of fruit, should not be thrown on the ground. They attract pests and detract from the natural beauty of an area.
Related Resources
Outdoor Code
The Outdoor Code is a pledge to be responsible when enjoying nature. So following LNT guidelines is a part of that.
Outdoor Ethics Awareness Award
Scouts of all ages who follow the principles of Leave No Trace can earn the Outdoor Ethics Awareness Award.
Why LNT?
Learn how following these guidelines helps keep our natural areas in good condition for all to appreciate.
Thanks for the ease of making knowing what needs to be completed.
I am the cub master and our wolf den did the requirements for this patch, but they are not selling it any more in the store. I need to find 5. Do you know where they could be found? Thank you very much for any information.
According to the scouting.org site: “Patches (catalog number 08797) are available through your local council.” Did you ask if they could order it for you?
If you can’t get the Cub Scout patch this one from the Leave No Trace website might make a good alternative: https://lnt.org/shop/product/patch
As of today they were available at http://www.scoutstuff.org for $4.95 ea.
The LNT patch and program was outdated as of Fall 2013 but some councils still had the LNT patch and units could do the program as long as the patches were available. In South Carolina patches disappeared in July 2013.
The Outdoor Ethics awareness award and action awards were the replacement programs for LNT. Since LNT isn’t a BSA program but a national nonprofit program, BSA needed to move away from directly naming awards after LNT.
The outdoor ethics awareness patches should be plentiful in your scout stores. Its the green version, not the red version of the patch.
Also the requirements for how the award is earned by doing a conservation project has changed to needing someone in the unit having taken some form of LNT training. This can be an awareness workshop at University of Scouting, Baloo, or council training to taking the more advanced LNT trainer and master trainer courses. Most units should already be compliant with this.
This is a great activity for the boys to do as part of their day camp/summer program. Does anyone know what the new requirements are going to be for the award when the new books come out in May 2015?? We always try to earn a special award of some sort every summer with our boys and the new books are throwing us for a loop with making plans for the boys during the upcoming summer months.