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Outdoor Ethics

From a Cub Scout’s first hike in a local park to the thrill of our High Adventure bases, from our backyard to the backcountry, our outdoor ethics guide us to be responsible outdoor citizens — protecting our natural world for generations to come and being considerate of other visitors.  Scouting has a long, proud tradition of conservation service to the nation. How do we maintain our outdoor ethics and preserve that tradition? By heeding the challenge in the Outdoor Code:

As an American, I will do my best to—
Be clean in my outdoor manners.
Be careful with fire.
Be considerate in the outdoors.
Be conservation-minded.

Building upon this foundation, the Cub Scout, Boy Scout, Venturing, and Sea Scout programs all include outdoor stewardship, care for the environment, and Leave No Trace as part of their programs. At the Boy Scout level, youth are encouraged to take leadership positions in encouraging proper outdoor ethics using the principles of Leave No Trace. Many Venturing crews have similarly adapted Leave No Trace principles to guide their outdoor recreation activities. Through the Outdoor Code and Leave No Trace, we can take responsibility for our own impacts. We can provide leadership to those around us to reduce their impacts by making good choices. Together, we can preserve and conserve our rich environmental heritage.

  • To learn more about the Principles of Leave No Trace, click here.
  • To learn more about Tread Lightly, click here.

Scouts and Venturers who embrace the Outdoor Code and the principles of Leave No Trace often find that they wish to give back and help protect the environment that has given them so much. Some may find that they are “wild with love for the green outdoors—the trees, the tree-top singers, the wood-herbs, and the nightly things that left their tracks in the mud,” in the words of Ernest Thompson Seton, the first Chief Scout. These Scouts and Venturers have begun to feel what Aldo Leopold called the “Land Ethic.” The Land Ethic extends our concern beyond our fellow Scouts and Venturers, our families and friends, and even humanity itself to the entire environmental community of which we are a part—the deserts, forests, fish, wildlife, plants, rocks, oceans, and web of life encompassing them—what Leopold called “the Land.”

  • To learn more about the Land Ethic, click here.

Outdoor ethics is not just for youth. Adult volunteers are encouraged to seek training in basic outdoor skills and even take specialized courses to learn Leave No Trace skills. Many councils have Outdoor Ethics advocates who provide leadership to their local units in learning and practicing good outdoor ethics.

Do you have questions about Scouting’s outdoor ethics? Email us at outdoorethics@scouting.org 

Outdoor Ethics Awareness and Action Award Requirements

 

Upcoming Minsi Trails Council Training 

Register on our new registration...
For all new commissioners, we will meet at Council for a workshop on Commissioning!  We will talk about the online training you have completed,...
    The Monroe Merit Badge College        When: Saturday, December 14, 2024 Where: Northampton Community...
University of Scouting is a training opportunity for Scouts and Scouters. It is the only time during the year where you can find, all in one place,...

 

 

Please Join us for important planning for the Northampton district.   Join Zoom...
  Please keep your eyes open for more information on what you need to bring and how this will be processing.    We will be using...
Carbon/Luzerne Meetings The District Roundtable and a combined Commissioner/Committee meeting will be held at Tweedle Park in Weatherly every...
Register on our new registration...
  Order Your Unit Flyers Today! Contact your District Professional:   Monroe District - Covering the Units Chartered in Monroe County,...
Click Here for more information and to...
Monroe District Meetings and Roundtable Join us every second Thursday of each month at 6pm for our in person/zoom Roundtable and District...
Please join us for the Warren District Committee Meeting. All units are asked to have a representative present, but all are welcome to...
District Open House and Gathering Please plan to attend the Annual Lehigh District Open House Coffee, drinks and snacks Events include: Unit Pin...
For all new commissioners, we will meet at Council for a workshop on Commissioning!  We will talk about the online training you have completed,...
Monthly meeting of the Council Commissioner team - meetings are hybrid - we meet at the Council office, and would love to see you there if you can...
Contact Brian Harmon to schedule your Eagle Scout project proposal and...
The Monroe District Monroe Eagle Board meets every third Thursday of the month to meet with Scouts seeking approval for Eagle projects and for the...
The office and the Scout Shop will be closed November 28th and 29th for...
Please Join us for important planning for the Northampton district.   Join Zoom...
Carbon/Luzerne Meetings The District Roundtable and a combined Commissioner/Committee meeting will be held at Tweedle Park in Weatherly every...
Join us for the Council Wide Roundtable.    Locations and Theme will be announced...
Monroe District Meetings and Roundtable Join us every second Thursday of each month at 6pm for our in person/zoom Roundtable and District...
Please join us for the Warren District Committee Meeting. All units are asked to have a representative present, but all are welcome to...
    The Monroe Merit Badge College        When: Saturday, December 14, 2024 Where: Northampton Community...
Monthly meeting of the Council Commissioner team - meetings are hybrid - we meet at the Council office, and would love to see you there if you can...
Contact Brian Harmon to schedule your Eagle Scout project proposal and...
The Monroe District Monroe Eagle Board meets every third Thursday of the month to meet with Scouts seeking approval for Eagle projects and for the...
The office and the Scout Shop will be closed December 24th and 25th for Christmas Eve and Christmas. Have a happy...
Please join us for the Warren District Committee Meeting. All units are asked to have a representative present, but all are welcome to...
Monthly meeting of the Council Commissioner team - meetings are hybrid - we meet at the Council office, and would love to see you there if you can...
    Saturday, February 1, 2025 (9AM-4PM) at Camp Minsi Come out for a fun winter day at Camp Minsi!  With a variety of fun...
Please join us for the Warren District Committee Meeting. All units are asked to have a representative present, but all are welcome to...
Monthly meeting of the Council Commissioner team - meetings are hybrid - we meet at the Council office, and would love to see you there if you can...
Please join us for the Warren District Committee Meeting. All units are asked to have a representative present, but all are welcome to...
University of Scouting is a training opportunity for Scouts and Scouters. It is the only time during the year where you can find, all in one place,...
Monthly meeting of the Council Commissioner team - meetings are hybrid - we meet at the Council office, and would love to see you there if you can...
 MORE....

PROFESSIONAL OFFICE HOURS OF OPERATIONS:
(610) 264-8551
10 AM – 5 PM (Monday  – Friday)
Closed Saturday & Sunday

 

SCOUT SHOP HOURS OF OPERATIONS:
(610) 264-8551
10 AM - 5 PM  (Monday, Wednesday, Friday)

10 AM - 7 PM (Tuesday, Thursday)
10 AM - 2 PM (Saturday)
Closed Sunday

FOR SERVICE CENTER CLOSURES - REVIEW COUNCIL CALENDAR 
 

ADDRESS
991 Postal Road, Allentown, PA 18109

 

PROFESSIONAL OFFICE HOURS OF OPERATIONS:
(610) 264-8551
10 AM – 5 PM (Monday  – Friday)
Closed Saturday & Sunday

 

SCOUT SHOP HOURS OF OPERATIONS:
(610) 264-8551
10 AM - 5 PM  (Monday, Wednesday, Friday)

10 AM - 7 PM (Tuesday, Thursday)
10 AM - 2 PM (Saturday)
Closed Sunday

FOR SERVICE CENTER CLOSURES - REVIEW COUNCIL CALENDAR 
 

ADDRESS
991 Postal Road, Allentown, PA 18109