"Leave No Trace" is a nationally recognized outdoor skills and ethics education program. The Boy Scouts of America is committed to this program. The principles of Leave No Trace are not rules; they are guidelines to follow at all times.

The Leave No Trace principles might not seem important at first glance, but their value is apparent when considering the combined effects of millions of outdoor visitors. One poorly located campsite or campfire is of little significance, but thousands of such instances seriously degrade the outdoor experience for all. Leaving no trace is everyone's responsibility at every Scouting program level.

Leave No Trace Resources and Recognitions

• Teaching Leave No Trace
• Cub Scout Leave No Trace Frontcountry Guidelines
• Leave No Trace Service Projects
• Cub Scout Leave No Trace Awareness Award Requirements
• Boy Scout Leave No Trace Awareness Award Requirements
• Leave No Trace Award Application

BSA has a number of mechanisms in the outdoor education program to instill understanding of our responsibilities for environmental stewardship.   These include:

• BSA Wilderness Use Policy and the Outdoor Code
• Cub Scouts:  Whittling Chip
• Boy Scouts: Totin' Chit and Firem'n Chit

The Outdoor Code As an American, I will do my best to - Be clean in my outdoor manners. I will treat the outdoors as a heritage. I will take care of it for myself and others I will keep my trash and garbage out of lakes, streams, fields, woods, and roadways. Be careful with fire. I will prevent wildfire. I will build my fires only where they are appropriate. When I have finished using a fire, I will make sure it is cold out. I will leave a clean fire ring, or remove all evidence of my fire. Be considerate in the outdoors. I will treat public and private property with respect. I will use low-impact methods of hiking and camping. and Be conservation minded I will learn how to practice good conservation of soil, waters, forests, minerals, grasslands, wildlife, and energy. I will urge others to do the same.