Boy Scouts of America

Outdoor Ethics Training in the BSA

Outdoor ethics training is included in all core BSA outdoor training programs: National Youth Leader Training (NYLT) and National Advanced Youth Leadership Experience (NAYLE) for Scouts, and Introduction to Outdoor Leadership Skills (IOLS) and Wood Badge for all adult volunteers with outdoor leadership responsibilities.

The BSA also offers specialized outdoor ethics and Leave No Trace training courses to assist youth and adult members seeking to bring cutting-edge outdoor ethics to their outdoor programs. These programs are summarized below.


BSA Outdoor Ethics Orientation

The goal of this course is to introduce the concept of Outdoor Ethics in a fun and engaging way to a group with little experience in outdoor ethics. It should help youth and adults at all program levels understand the general principles behind outdoor ethics in Scouting’s outdoor program.

  • See our Resources page for the class Lesson Plan / Instructor Guide.

BSA Leave No Trace Basics

(Formerly called the BSA Leave No Trace 101 Course)

This course is a general introduction to Leave No Trace ethics and skills. The course is designed to help youth and adults at all program levels understand the Leave No Trace Seven Principles and how to apply them in the BSA outdoor program. It is also designed to give adult volunteers the confidence to assess youth understanding and skills for purposes of signing off on Scouts BSA rank requirements and Venturing Outdoor Bronze and Ranger Award requirements.

  • Instructed by: Leave No Trace Level 1, 2, or 3 Instructor
  • Participants receive: BSA Leave No Trace Basics Card
  • To find a course:
    • Check your council & district calendars for courses in your area.
    • Contact your Council Outdoor Ethics Advocate who can help find a Leave No Trace Instructor near you.

BSA Leave No Trace Level 1 Instructor Course

(Formerly called the Leave No Trace Trainer Course)

This 16-hour, overnight course trains interested scouters ages 18 and older to serve as Leave No Trace Level 1 Instructors. Level 1 Instructors are the backbone of Scouting’s outdoor ethics program, providing instruction to individuals and units wishing to adopt cutting-edge outdoor ethics into their unit programs. Level 1 Instructors are specially commissioned to teach the BSA Leave No Trace Basics course and to qualify individuals for the BSA Leave No Trace Basics card.  Each BSA Level 1 Instructors course is led by a recognized Leave No Trace Level 2 Instructors, so your Level 1 Instructors standing is recognized nationally by the BSA’s partner, Leave No Trace.

  • Instructed by: Leave No Trace Level 2 Instructors
  • Participants receive: Leave No Trace Level 1 Instructor card from the BSA, BSA Leave No Trace Basics Course Guide, Leave No Trace Level 1 Instructor certificate from Leave No Trace, and other Leave No Trace teaching resources.
  • To find a course:

BSA Leave No Trace Level 2 Instructor Course

(Formerly called Leave No Trace Master Educator Course)

This five-day, five-night course trains interested individuals ages 18 and older to serve as Leave No Trace Level 2 Instructors.  Level 2 Instructors work with their council’s outdoor ethics advocates to provide Leave No Trace Level 1 Instructor, BSA Leave No Trace Basics, and outdoor ethics awareness courses. Each BSA Level 2 Instructor course is taught by a set of nationally-designated Level 3 Instructors, so your Level 2 Instructor standing is recognized nationally by the BSA’s partner, Leave No Trace.

  • Prerequisite: Prior completion of a Leave No Trace Level 1 Instructor course is recommended. A person who has not previously attended a Level 1 Instructor course may be accepted with the recommendation of the council’s Outdoor Ethics Advocate or approval of the course’s Lead Instructor.
  • Instructed by: Nationally designated Leave No Trace Level 3 Instructors.
  • Participants receive:  Leave No Trace Master Educator Handbook, BSA Supplement to the Master Educator Handbook, BSA Leave No Trace Level 1 Instructor Course Manual, Leave No Trace Basics Course Guide, Leave No Trace Level 2 Instructor certificate, and other Leave No Trace teaching resources.
  • To find a course: See the list of upcoming BSA Leave No Trace Level 2 Instructor courses.
  • Partial course scholarships are available for scouters needing financial assistance in order to attend a BSA Leave No Trace Level 2 Instructor Course. Please see the Dan Howells Scholarship webpage for more information.

Outdoor Ethics Advocate Training 
The Outdoor Ethics Advocate Workshop and Council Outdoor Ethics Advocate Training courses are taught periodically at the Philmont and Summit National Training Centers. They provide guidance to council professional staff and volunteers on implementing the BSA’s outdoor ethics and Leave No Trace programs in the local council.  They are designed for individuals serving as a council outdoor ethics advocate or interested in serving in that position.

  • Instructed by: Nationally designated instructors, typically BSA Outdoor Ethics & Conservation Subcommittee members and successful council outdoor ethics advocates
  • Participants receive: Council outdoor ethics advocate position description and copies of all BSA Leave No Trace implementing literature, including BSA Supplement to the Master Educator Handbook, BSA Leave No Trace Level 1 Instructor Course Manual, Leave No Trace Basics Course Guide.
  • These workshops have been offered virtually, at Philmont Training Center, and at past BSA National Outdoor Ethics Conferences.  Contact ProgramOps@OutdoorEthics-BSA.org for upcoming workshops.

Bray Barnes

Director, Global Security Innovative
Strategies

Bray Barnes is a recipient of the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award, Silver
Beaver, Silver Antelope, Silver Buffalo, and Learning for Life Distinguished
Service Award. He received the Messengers of Peace Hero award from
the royal family of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and he’s a life member of
the 101st Airborne Association and Vietnam Veterans Association. Barnes
serves as a senior fellow for the Global Federation of Competitiveness
Councils, a nonpartisan network of corporate CEOs, university presidents, and
national laboratory directors. He has also served as a senior executive for the
U.S. Department of Homeland Security, leading the first-responder program
and has two U.S. presidential appointments

David Alexander

Managing Member Calje

David Alexander is a Baden-Powell Fellow, Summit Bechtel Reserve philanthropist, and recipient of the Silver Buffalo and Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. He is the founder of Caljet, one of the largest independent motor fuels terminals in the U.S. He has served the Arizona Petroleum Marketers Association, Teen Lifeline, and American Heart Association. A triathlete who has completed hundreds of races, Alexander has also mentored the women’s triathlon team at Arizona State University.

Glenn Adams

President, CEO & Managing Director
Stonetex Oil Corp.

Glenn Adams is a recipient of the Silver Beaver, Silver Antelope, Silver Buffalo, and Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. He is the former president of the National Eagle Scout Association and established the Glenn A. and Melinda W. Adams National Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year Award. He has more than 40 years of experience in the oil, gas, and energy fields, including serving as a president, owner, and CEO. Adams has also received multiple service awards from the Texas Alliance of Energy Producers.