The “leave no trace” concept is nothing new to avid outdoor lovers, but if you’re introducing kids or newcomers to camping and hiking, passing on these principles is of great value. Teaching these concepts in a fun and friendly way will instill them into your children for them to pass along to their friends and then to their own children.
The Center for Outdoor Ethics has created a list of seven principles of Leave No Trace, covering things like using sustainable camping materials and planning ahead to have the least impact on your campsite. One of the most basic concepts is to dispose of waste properly. This is something kids can pitch in and help with, from patrolling the campsite for trash, to picking out the best spot for a latrine.
Another kid friendly activity is talking about respecting local wildlife and how they should not chase or harass the animals. Encourage your children to be good caregivers of wild creatures by letting them observe, photograph, or even create a journal about the animals they’ve seen. The outdoors is not a petting zoo and they should be educated in respectful and safe ways to enjoy the many creatures that live in the wild.
Another way to reinforce these lessons is to get your kids into Scouting. Both the Boy Scouts of America and Girl Scouts teach the LNT principles to their young members. Learning activities with their peers encourages children to participate and remember what they’ve learned, plus they can earn merit badges in the process.
For a full list of the seven principles of Leave Not Trace, visit the Center for Outdoor Ethics website. You can even take an online awareness course right from their website!
Passing on a healthy respect and appreciation for the environment will go a long way to ensuring our natural resources are there for future generations to enjoy.
Featured Image from Anna Earl/Unsplash
