Leave No Trace(LNT), an educational program dedicated to responsible enjoyment and active stewardship of the outdoors be all people, is being integrated into all levels of the scouting program, Cubs, Boy Scouts and Venturing.
Earlier this year, the BSA National Task Force on Leave no Trace has asked all BSA Councils to begin a training process to develop at least one LNT Master Educator in each council and one LNT Trainer in each district.
The BSA Leave No Trace Task Force announced that the National Council is sponsoring a new, optional Council level position: “Council Outdoor Ethics Advocate”. According to the information received by Scouting News, the national organization has not yet finalized the position description.
Here is the DRAFT position description for the new position:
The Council Outdoor Ethics Advocate serves as the local council’s point person for facilitating Leave No Trace training and similar outdoor ethics programs for BSA youth and adults. This training enriches the Scouting experience for the members, reduces our impact on the land consistent with Scouting’s historic message, and will help ensure continuing access to public lands for Scouting purposes. The Council Outdoor Ethics Advocate should coordinate with the Council’s Training, Camping, Conservation and/or Program Committees. Where appropriate, the Council Outdoor Ethics Advocate may also serve on one or more of these committees. Prior training as a Leave No Trace Master Educator or Trainer is preferred, but not required, if the individual commits to obtaining the training.
Overview of Responsibilities:
Specific responsibilities expected of a Council Outdoor Ethics Advocate include, but are not limited to, the following:
* Training. Primary point of contact for facilitating and ensuring quality Leave No Trace outdoor ethics training for local council youth and adult leaders by recruiting and coordinating Master Educators and Trainers to offer the training.
* Recruiting. Responsible for leading efforts to recruit Leave No Trace Master Educator and Trainer candidates. The BSA Leave No Trace Task Force has established a goal that each local council recruit and train one or more Master Educators per council and one or more Trainers per district.
* Program Promotion. Responsible for leading and managing the promotion of the Leave No Trace program in the Scouting movement through publicizing the Leave No Trace Awareness and Achievement Awards for Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Varsity Scouts, Venturers and their leaders and serving as a resource to local council, district and unit leaders.
* Reporting. Responsible for collecting information on Leave No Trace training conducted in the local council and reporting it to the National Council annually.
As you can see, the Council Outdoor Ethics Advocate can play an important role in enriching the program experience–and hence member retention–for youth and adult members.
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