Boy Scouts of America

Quick Concepts & Activity Plans

Quick Activities to Teach Leave No Trace

The following activities are designed to provide a quick introduction to participants’ connectedness to the natural world and the Leave No Trace Seven Principles. Each activity can be completed in about 15 to 30 minutes and may be adapted to either home or backcountry situations.

Each Quick Concept activity is divided into three parts: “Grabbing Your Group’s Attention,” “The Activity,” and “The Discussion.” It is very important to carefully read the Background on the Principles of Leave No Trace before introducing these activities.

Grabbing Your Group’s Attention

Use this time to set the stage for the activity and generate curiosity throughout the group.

The Activity

Encourage participation and thought during the activity. Remember, building critical thinking skills is more valuable than simply memorizing correct answers.

The Discussion

Use your knowledge and experience to help your audience answer questions raised by the activity. Guide, rather than dominate, the discussion. The quick concepts cover

  • Our Natural World
  • The Leave No Trace Seven Principles
    1. Plan Ahead and Prepare
    2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
    3. Dispose of Waste Properly
    4. Leave What You Find
    5. Minimize Campfire Impacts
    6. Respect Wildlife
    7. Be Considerate of Other Visitors

Activity Plans

Detailed Activities for Meetings or Outings

The following activity plans are designed to provide detailed teaching blueprints for leaders. The activities focus on our natural world and the seven Leave No Trace principles. Each activity requires 45 to 75 minutes to complete. Activity plans are composed of five parts:

  • What Your Group Will Learn
  • Materials and Preparation
  • Grabbing Your Group’s Attention
  • Steps for Teaching the Activity
  • Wrapping Up the Activity

What Your Group Will Learn

Each activity plan will include the objectives for the activity, along with a brief explanation of the activity.

Materials and Preparation

A list of all required materials and preparation will accompany each activity plan.

Grabbing Your Group’s Attention

Use this time to set the stage for the activity and generate curiosity throughout the group.

Steps for Teaching the Activity

Each activity plan includes step-by-step instructions for conducting the activity and stimulating discussion.

Wrapping Up the Activity

Close each activity with follow-up questions and thoughts to help summarize and reflect on the activity.

 

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.