Leave No Trace – Scenario Cards

Items Needed:

Cards or slips of paper with scenarios related to outdoor activities (one per small group). (Examples: “You see litter on a trail,” “You want to build a campfire in a wilderness area,” “You find an interesting plant you’d like to take home.”)
A copy of the 7 Leave No Trace Principles (printed or displayed for reference).

Instructions:

Split the scouts into small groups.
Provide each group with a scenario card related to an outdoor activity.
Ask each group to discuss the scenario and identify which Leave No Trace principles apply. Encourage scouts to share how they would respond to the scenario based on the principles.
(Optional): Each group can present their scenario and response to the rest of the troop to reinforce learning and hear different perspectives.

Kindergarten Scenarios

Here’s a list of Leave No Trace scenarios tailored for little scouts. These focus on fostering awareness of nature and basic outdoor ethics.

Litter on the Playground: You find a candy wrapper on the ground. What should you do?
Picking Flowers: You see a pretty flower growing in the grass. Do you pick it, or leave it for others to enjoy?
Birds in the Trees: You spot a bird sitting in a tree. Should you try to get close and touch it, or watch from far away?
Snack Time: After having a snack outside, what should you do with your trash?
Big Rock on the Trail: You see a big rock that looks interesting. Should you take it home, or leave it where it is?
Drawing in Dirt: You want to write your name in the dirt. Is that okay if you’re in a park?
Fire Safety: You’re with your troop near a campfire. Should you stay far away or touch the fire?
Finding Bug Homes: You see a bug crawling under a rock. What should you do?
Sharing Space with Friends: You’re walking with your troop on a trail, and you see other people coming. How can you share the trail?
Feeding Ducks: You’re at the pond and see some ducks swimming. Should you feed them your leftover sandwich?

Scout Scenarios

Here’s a list of Leave No Trace scenarios tailored for elementary-aged scouts. These are slightly more challenging and encourage critical thinking, teamwork, and a deeper understanding of outdoor ethics.

Campfire Safety: Your troop is building a campfire, but there are no fire rings or fire pits in the area. What should you do?
Hiking Trash: While hiking, you see litter left by someone else. Should you pick it up or leave it there?
Camping Location: Your group wants to camp in a beautiful clearing that doesn’t seem like an established campsite. Is this okay?
Wildlife Encounter: You see a deer while hiking. Should you approach it to take pictures, or watch quietly from a distance?
Group Size on Trails: Your troop is hiking on a narrow trail in a big group. How can you make sure you don’t disturb others using the trail?
Collecting Souvenirs: You find a unique rock or a cool feather during your hike. Should you take it home as a keepsake or leave it where you found it?
Outdoor Snacks: Your troop is having a snack break outside. What’s the best way to make sure no trash is left behind?
Respecting Plant Life: You see someone in your group pulling branches off a tree for fun. How should you respond?
Building Shelters: You and your friends want to build a fort in the woods. How can you do this without harming the environment?
Trail Markers: A scout suggests leaving markings on trees or rocks to find your way back. Is this a good idea?
Lost and Found: While exploring a trail, you come across someone’s lost water bottle. What should you do with it?
Feeding Animals: You think feeding ducks at the pond is fun. Is this a good idea? Why or why not?
Playing Music: Someone in your group wants to play loud music from a portable speaker while hiking. What should you say or do?
Taking Care of Waste: You need to use the bathroom in a remote camping area with no facilities. How do you handle it properly?
Exploring Historical Areas: Your troop visits a site with ancient artifacts or structures. Should you touch or take anything?

Teen Scenarios

Here’s a tailored list of Leave No Trace scenarios designed for middle and high school scouts. These scenarios challenge teenagers to think critically about their actions in nature and foster leadership skills by making ethical decisions.

Social Media in Nature: You and your friends are hiking and want to take photos for social media. How can you do this responsibly without disrupting wildlife or damaging the environment?
Planning a Trip: Your troop is planning a multi-day backpacking trip. What steps can you take to prepare and ensure you follow Leave No Trace principles during the trip?
Group Dynamics on a Trail: You’re part of a large group hiking together, and some scouts are walking off the trail to pass others or explore. How do you handle this while respecting the environment?
Campfire Choices: You’re camping in an area where campfires are discouraged. What are alternatives for cooking and staying warm while following Leave No Trace principles?
Leftover Food: After a meal at your campsite, you have leftover food. What’s the best way to dispose of it without attracting wildlife or littering?
Respecting Historical Sites: While hiking, you come across a site with old ruins and artifacts. Some scouts in your group want to touch or move items for fun. What do you do?
Dealing with Trash: Your troop finds a pile of trash left by previous visitors at your campsite. How do you address this while keeping Leave No Trace principles in mind?
Nighttime Noise: Your group is having fun in the evening, but other campers nearby have started to settle down. How can you balance having fun with respecting others?
Wildlife Feeding: You notice someone in your group attempting to feed squirrels or other animals to get them closer. What should you do?
New Trail vs. Old Trail: You see a shortcut trail that’s not part of the established path but is often used by hikers. Should you use the shortcut or stick to the marked trail?
Bathroom in the Wilderness: Your group is camping in a remote location without facilities. What steps should you take to dispose of human waste properly while protecting the environment?
Collecting Natural Souvenirs: Someone in your group wants to take a piece of driftwood or a large shell home from the beach. How do you guide them toward leaving it behind?
Graffiti on Rocks or Trees: A scout in your group suggests carving their name into a tree or marking a rock for future memory. What’s the Leave No Trace approach here?
Trail Etiquette for Bikes or Horses: While hiking on a multi-use trail, you encounter bikers or horseback riders coming from behind. How do you ensure you share the trail respectfully?
Finding Wildlife in Distress: You come across an injured animal during your outdoor activity. What should you do while ensuring you follow Leave No Trace principles?
Food and Odor Management: You’re camping in bear country. How do you store food and scented items responsibly to protect both yourself and the wildlife?
Respecting Cultural Practices: While exploring a nature preserve, you come across a site that’s sacred to Indigenous cultures. What can you do to show respect and preserve the site?
Off-Trail Adventures: Your group wants to explore beyond the designated path to find a better view. How do you decide what’s the right action?
Fostering Leadership: Some scouts in your group aren’t familiar with Leave No Trace principles and are unintentionally doing harm. How can you teach them positively and lead by example?
Rainy Day Camping: It starts to rain heavily during your campout. What can you do to minimize your impact and protect the campsite during bad weather?