The problem isn't enough training, know how, or knowledge in how to do leave
no trace camping. You can teach someone till they are blue in the face about
how to set up a campsite properly or how to dispose of human waste properly.
The solution is getting Scouts to have a propper outdoor ethic. Just like I
was taught at a young age that lying, stealing, and murduring is wrong, so
too do Scouts need to learn an ethic that will make them want to behave in a
way that LNT methods are used. To quote from a book:
"Appropriate behavior flows from an understanding of and respect for the
land, an inherent set of values within the individual user - a land
ethic" (Soft
Paths <http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0811730921/aphilmorangersgu>,
10)
A big part of that is by the example set by the role models. Whether that be
the older Scouts or the adults.
I can remember my last mountain trek I took out. We did Wilderness Pledge
with my crew on about the last day of the trek on top of Phillips. After my
partner and I presented the pledge to our crew, we all sat and looked out
over the Merino Valley, soaking in our last big vista for the trip. After a
while, I got up a did what I always did when I got to the top of Baldy and
Phillips. I started tearing down all the memorials scouts leave up there.
Without any prompting, my crew started doing the same thing. It was
definitely one of those"EUREKA!" moments. They just got it, and I was so
happy.
-- Jason Cotting Retired Ranger ><> My Philmont gear advice: http://anvilgear.com/jason/backpacking Resume: http://anvilgear.com/fire ------------------------------------------------------- Scouting E-mail Discussion Lists @ usscouts.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe at http://usscouts.org/lists/ Listserv Commands at http://usscouts.org/lists/lc.asp ------------------------------------------------------- Send listserv commands to: listserv@troop47.com Send postings to: philmont@troop47.com List FAQ found at: http://usscouts.org/lists/faq.asp List Administrator: philmont_owner@troop47.com ------------------------------------------------------- As you gather around this virtual campfire with fellow Scouts and Scouters, do your best to be trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent. -------------------------------------------------------Received on Sat Nov 12 00:12:35 2005
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