Nearly 70 scouts and scouters from 14 NCAC districts plus Cradle of Liberty, Hawk Mountain & Shenandoah Councils attended our inaugural NCAC Outdoor Ethics Guide Summit. The event featured a course for (Outdoor Ethics Guides)(), a presentation about BSA outdoor ethics courses and awards by Paul Schimke, and a keynote presentation about outdoor ethics in urban parks by National Park Service Park Ranger Josh Lamothe.
The Outdoor Ethics Guide course focused on teaching current and aspiring Outdoor Ethics Guides how to operationalize this position of responsibility to have the greatest positive impact in their unit. Outdoor Ethics Guides learned best practices, how to incorporate outdoor ethics lessons into their unit’s activities, outdoor ethics awards, and where to find resources. In addition, participants met other Outdoor Ethics Guides and adult advisors, shared experiences, discussed ways to overcome challenges, and created a network of Outdoor Ethics Guides across NCAC.
During the Summit, scouts taught outdoor ethics games and activities that participants can bring back to their units:
• Outdoor Code hand motions
• 7 Principles hand motions
• Trash Timeline
• Camp Oh No
• Ethics Game
Paul Schimke gave an overview of outdoor ethics awards and courses:
• Outdoor Ethics Awareness Award
• Outdoor Ethics Action Award
• NCAC Outdoor Ethics Awareness Award for Cubs
• Outdoor Ethics Orientation course
• Leave No Trace Skills course
• Leave No Trace Level 1 course
• Leave No Trace Level 2 course
Josh Lamothe presented about outdoor ethics in urban parks with a focus on the National Mall and Memorial Parks. Josh reviewed ways that each of the 7 principles of Leave No Trace, which were originally developed for use in wilderness situations, are very relevant to our outings and activities in urban settings.
Thanks to all the scouts and scouters who made this Outdoor Ethics Guide Summit a huge success by teaching lessons and giving presentations! Thanks also to the participants who are bringing these lessons back to their units in their roles as Outdoor Ethics Guides!
