Resources
Cub Scout
Boy Scout
Venturing
Contacts

Venturing Conservation
Compiled by Jim Szpakowski

CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES ARE PART OF
EVERY RANK IN CUB SCOUTS,
THE BOY SCOUT TRAIL TO FIRST CLASS & MERIT BADGES
AND MANY VENTURING AWARDS .

Click text above for Scouting and Conservation Factsheet.

Conservation
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, and

Be conservation-minded.

Leave No Trace
  1. Plan Ahead and Prepare
  2. Camp and Travel on Durable Surfaces
  3. Pack It In, Pack It Out
  4. Leave What You Find
  5. Minimize Campfires
  6. Respect Wildlife
  7. Respect Others
Tread Lightly

Travel & recreate with minimum impact
Respect the environment and the rights of others
Educate yourself plan and prepare before you go
Allow for future use of the outdoors, by leaving it better than you found it
Discover the rewards of responsible recreation

Training Resources
Conservation Training Information

Every adult (registered or not) working with the BSA program is required to be YPT trained.

Schedule a Conservation class:

Conservation Training Dates

Listing of training dates in the Tomahawk District.

The Conservation Handbook
33570

Helps Scout leaders establish positive relationships with land managers. Includes projects tailored to the needs of Scouts. Some information is not current (a bit dated).

136 Pages; 1992 Printing

Outdoor Careers
3503A

 If you dream of a career that will put your love of the outdoors to work, this book will help you find it. It explores a variety of career fields, giving job descriptions and information about salaries, employment outlook, and entry-level requirements. Eight major career areas are covered: agriculture, biological sciences, conservation, environmental sciences, engineering, marine careers, recreation, and outdoor careers with an indoor twist. Includes input from Robert Birkby, author of The Boy Scout Handbook. Paperback.

206 Pages; 2000 Printing

Help to Save the World Book
14021

An excellent resource for leaders introducing conservation to Scouts of all ages. 168-page book applies the World Conservation Strategy at a level appropriate for youth. Contains activities and experiments geared toward conservation and the World Conservation Badge. Imported through the World Scout Bureau.  

168 Pages; 1990 Printing

Principles of Leave No Trace
21-105

Nice color brochure outlining this program.

4 Pages; 2002 Printing

Also see the Leave No Trace Organization website

Leave No Trace Training Outline
21-117

Information for this handbook was extracted from "Teaching Leave No Trace", a booklet published by the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service that contains activities to teach responsible backcountry skills.

86 Pages; 2001 Printing

Also see the Bureau of Land Management website on Teaching Leave No Trace

Backpacker: Leave No Trace
32073

This second edition of Leave No Trace is now the official book for the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics. This book is your guide to realistic and doable practices for moving gently through the land. Includes tips on garbage handling, choosing a campsite, and teaching others how to move through the landscape. New material includes the new Leave No Trace principles on respecting fellow wilderness travelers and wildlife.  

208 Pages; 2003 Printing

Passport to High Adventure
4310

If there's an outdoor sport, it's in here. Includes an array of how-to information for a variety of outdoor activities appropriate for Scouting, including Leave No Trace techniques. Also features a directory of council high-adventure programs and the forms necessary to prepare for a high-adventure trek.

152 Pages; 1997 Printing

AMC Guide to Outdoor Leadership
35214

Written by the renowned Appalachian Mountain Club, this book is a good outdoor activity reference for both new and experienced Scout leaders. Covers trip planning, risk management, effective decision making, group dynamics, human impact on the environment, leadership techniques, and more.

281 Pages; 2003 Printing

Guide to Safe Scouting
34416?

The official policy guide from the BSA. This guide changes often, so in addition to having the book please check the on-line version for changes regularly.

72 Pages; 2003 Printing

Health and Safety Guide
34415B

This resource book includes all current policies, guidelines, and procedures related to health and safety issues for all aspects of council, district, and unit.

42 Pages; 2002 Printing

Tours and Expeditions
33737C

Contains the basics for planning trips and health & Safety Guidelines for all kinds of Scouting trips.

50 Pages; 2002 Printing

Boy Scout Handbook
34035

Still the basic book for every Scout, but with more information than ever before.

472 Pages; 1998 Printing

Fieldbook
32067

Fieldbook - Boy Scouts of America. New edition! The most comprehensive reference for Boy Scouts, Venturers, unit leaders, trainers, and other outdoor enthusiasts. Includes sections on leadership and trek preparation, Leave No Trace principles, trek adventures, and appreciating our environment. 600-plus pages, 34 chapters, 500 color photographs, and 200 illustrations. Fourth edition.

614 Pages; 2004 Printing

Venturer/Ranger Handbook
33494B

The complete and essential guide for the Venturing program. This all-in-one publication combines the Venturer Handbook and the Ranger Handbook into one complete program information and reference, including requirements for the Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Ranger awards.

249 Pages; 2005 Printing

Boy's Life and Scouting Magazines

The BSA sometimes provides Conservation information to its members and families through these magazines.

Policy
BSA Wilderness Use Policy (pdf)

BSA Policy covering Wilderness Usage as noted on the Tour Permits.

BSA Property Smart

.

Caving

.

Trail Safety

.

Climbing and Rappelling

.

Other Sources of Information
Incident Reporting Form (pdf)

Two page report used for reporting things like injury, property damage and youth protection event.

Scouting and Conservation (pdf)

2 page fact sheet from the BSA.

Listing of ALL projects (pdf)
6 page listing of conservation projects in SHAC compiled by Glenn Buckley.
2005-2006 Conservation Activities
Conservation related calendar of events compiled by Jim Szpakowski.
Power Point Slide Show (ppt)

25 Power Point slides for teaching this topic.

Handout

.

Quiz

.

Scouting Magazine

The BSA sometimes provides Conservation information to its members and families through these magazines. The following are PDF files of articles:
A New Generation
Paddle and Pedal
Keeping Trails in Shape
Rangers Rock
Boy Scout Handbook
Rescuing Forest

Awards
50-Miler Award
Camp Strake Conservation Award
Conservation Good Turn
Good Turn for America
Historical Trails
Hornaday Unit Award

Hornaday Badge
Hornaday Bronze Medal
Hornaday Silver Medal
Hornaday Gold Badge
Hornaday Gold Medal
Hornaday Gold Certificate

.

Leave No Trace
Venturing/Scouter
SHAC Conservation Award
Trail BOSS

Woodland Trails
.
World Conservation
Venturing
Advancement : * = optional requirement(s)
Core Requirements

Leave No Trace
Conservation

Elective Requirements

Backpacking (5)
Cave Exploring (7b)
Cycling / Mountain Biking (3b)
Ecology
Fishing *(A3 or B3 or C4)
? Hunting (1a and 3c)
Plants and Wildlife (4)


*Outdoor Bronze Award

Complete at least four core requirements and at least two electives.
Requirements can optionally be conservation related (see list above).
*Gold Award


Must earn at least one Venturing Bronze Award.
Requirements can optionally be conservation related (see list above).

*Silver Award

Must earn at least one Venturing Bronze Award.
Must earn the Venturing Gold Award.
Requirements can optionally be conservation related (see list above).
Ranger Award

Complete all eight core requirements and at least four electives.
Requirements can optionally be conservation related (see list above).
*Trust Award

Complete a community service project and learn about organizations in your community that serve youth.
Community service project can optionally be conservation related.

 

Related Links

Sam Houston Area Council (SHAC) Conservation web pages


©A.B.C. Consulting Company 1994-2006

This page was last updated: Friday, October 27, 2006 7:01 AM