Purpose of this Course

The Leave No Trace Level 1 Instructor Training and the Leave No Trace Skills courses are designed to enrich your understanding of the Leave No Trace Seven Principles, expand your repertoire of low-impact skills, and increase your effectiveness in sharing these important skills with others.

Scouting has embraced the Leave No Trace program as the core of our outdoor ethics. The goal of the Michigan Crossroads Council Outdoor Ethics Committee is for every unit to have at least one trained Level 1 Instructor.
Within Scouting, these courses are recommended for:
Troop, Crew, and Pack leaders (18+)
High Adventure crew leaders (18+)
Summer camp and High Adventure Base staff, Camp Commissioners
District training teams and other outdoor skills instructors
“High end” course instructors (Wood Badge, National Youth Leadership Training, etc.)
Troop and Crew members (14+) interested in becoming Outdoor Ethics Guides, High Adventure opportunities, or pursuing the Outdoor Ethics Awareness and/or Action Awards or BSA Distinguished Conservation Service Award
Adults (18+) completing the training course will be certified Level 1 Instructors, recognized by Leave No Trace and Scouting America.


Course Description

Dual track hybrid course (combination of online, self-paced learning and in-person field experience)
Over the course of approximately 16 hours (7 online, 9 in-person/field), participants learn Leave No Trace awareness, principles, skills and ethics through a combination of presentation, discussion, and hands-on activities. They learn and practice techniques for teaching these concepts.
Prior to the field session, Level 1 instructor participants will prepare a short (10-15 minute) lesson based on a pre-assigned Leave No Trace principle. Presentations will be delivered during the field session.
The in person session will be on Saturday, September 26, 2026, from 9 am till 6 pm.
Lunch and Dinner are included; dietary needs should be communicated in the online registration.
A suggested equipment list, driving directions, etc., will be provided to participants before the course.


Course Requirements
All participants must be current registered members of Scouting America. Adult participants must be current in their Scouting America SAFEguarding Youth Training.
All participants must be at least 14 years old.
Participants 18+ are eligible to take the Leave No Trace Level 1 training.
Participants under 18 years old are eligible for the Leave No Trace Skills Course.
Participants will be assigned approximately 9 hours of online self-paced learning, which must be completed no later than 5 days prior to the field session.
Participants must attend the entire in-person field session which is hands-on.

Pre-registration is required and class size is limited, so register soon! We must have at least 4 registrants 14 days in advance to hold this course.