The Badge Archive

Leave No Trace

Fulfills Step 3 of GSUSA Daisy Petal – Considerate and Caring badge requirements.

Leave No Trace is a set of seven principles designed to minimize human impact on the environment and promote responsible outdoor ethics. Here’s a quick summary:

  1. Plan Ahead and Prepare: Proper planning ensures safety, reduces damage, and helps you have a better outdoor experience.
  2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces: Stick to trails and designated campsites to avoid damaging natural areas.
  3. Dispose of Waste Properly: Pack out all trash, leftover food, and litter, and dispose of waste in the right way.
  4. Leave What You Find: Preserve the natural environment by not removing rocks, plants, or cultural artifacts.
  5. Minimize Campfire Impacts: Use a camp stove or established fire rings to prevent wildfires and reduce damage.
  6. Respect Wildlife: Observe animals from a distance and avoid feeding or disturbing them.
  7. Be Considerate of Other Visitors: Share the outdoors respectfully and leave nature as you found it for others to enjoy.

These principles help protect nature and ensure everyone can enjoy it responsibly!🌿

Leave No Trace Printouts

Leave No Trace Activities

There are different ways you can learn Leave No Trace. Each troop will find a different method that matches their interest and ability.

Other Ideas

Matching Game

  • Activity: Create cards with the names of the 7 Principles and others with descriptions or examples (e.g., “Pick up trash” matches with “Dispose of Waste Properly”). Scouts match pairs to learn the principles in a playful way.
  • Items Needed: Printed matching cards.
  • Purpose: Reinforces understanding of the principles in a quick, team-based challenge.

Nature Bingo

  • Activity: Create bingo cards with items or actions related to Leave No Trace principles (e.g., “Recyclable item,” “Wildlife observed from a distance,” “Stick to trail”). Scouts mark off squares as they encounter examples during an outdoor activity or meeting.
  • Items Needed: Bingo cards and markers/pencils.
  • Purpose: Combines fun with active learning.

Principle Pictionary

  • Activity: Scouts take turns drawing something related to a Leave No Trace principle while others guess the principle. Examples might include drawing wildlife, a tent on a durable surface, or someone picking up trash.
  • Items Needed: Paper, markers, or a whiteboard.
  • Purpose: Engages creativity and helps scouts internalize key concepts.

Leave No Trace Song or Rap

  • Activity: Have scouts create a song or rap incorporating the 7 Principles. They can perform it as a group, making the learning memorable and entertaining.
  • Items Needed: A list of the principles and optional instruments (like tambourines or drums).
  • Purpose: Helps scouts remember the principles through rhythm and repetition.

Principle Scavenger Hunt

  • Activity: Hide objects or pictures around the meeting area that represent the Leave No Trace Principles. Scouts search for them and explain how the item represents a principle.
  • Items Needed: Hidden objects or printed pictures (e.g., a trash can image for “Dispose of Waste Properly”).
  • Purpose: Encourages exploration and critical thinking.

Mini-Debate or Discussion

  • Activity: Present scouts with scenarios where Leave No Trace principles could apply differently (e.g., “Should you take rocks from the beach?” or “Is it okay to leave food scraps in the forest?”). Have them discuss or debate solutions as a group.
  • Items Needed: Scenario cards.
  • Purpose: Builds critical thinking and reinforces how the principles apply in real-world situations.
Tia Kennard