![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v516/LeaveNoTrace/P8032740-1.jpg)
What we have learned is something that we hope everyone associated with Leave No Trace has had or will have the opportunity to experience. Standing by the Leave No Trace display at the Boy Scout Jamboree has given us a real appreciation for the outdoor ethic that is embodied in the 100-year history of the Boy Scouts. For the Scouts, Leave No Trace is not just an exercise in sloganeering or rote memorization, and there are none of the cherished merit badges to be earned through Leave No Trace activities. Nope, it was definitely a deeper motivation that compelled literally thousands of scouts to visit the Leave No Trace area at the Jamboree. What we witnessed here over the past week was testimony that young folks (and lots of troop leaders) want to do the right thing when it comes to outdoor recreation. In order to do the right thing, the scouting community is actively seeking a better understanding of how to practice and teach the outdoor ethics that will preserve the environment and the quality of our recreational experiences… not just for our enjoyment, but for generations to come.
We’ve been especially blown away when young scouts dig into their wallets and shyly make a $2 or $3 donation to Leave No Trace. Even at 10 years old, they know that this Leave No Trace movement is a very good thing and among the basic tenets in life that we would all do well to live by. And then there is the adult, with sweat dripping off of his or her brow, who arrives at our booth saying, “I finally made it here…. I’ve been trying to come by. I really want to become a member of Leave No Trace… Is this where I sign up?” Our Traveling Trainer buddies Agata and Jason thoughtfully placed chairs near the table for exhausted folks to take a load off while they fill out their membership forms.
Today we close up our dusty shop here with our fellow Leave No Trace road warriors and friends, and head off in different directions as we continue our e-tour. True, we’re more than a bit exhausted ourselves after a pretty intense week, but the experience has left us feeling pretty elated, too. Now that’s a great e-word for the e-tour: “elated.” All in all, after spending a week with over 50,000 scouts, maybe we have gained a little “Road Wisdom…”
5 comments:
Thaks for an awesome booth and an awesome staff at the Jaamboree! You're right, Scouts especially embrace Leave No Trace not ust to earn another bdge but because they really see the value and know they can make a difference. Thanks for supporing Scouting and we look forward to reading future posts from the team!
Hi,
Scouts plays major role in our life. Thanks for sharing this amazing post on scouts. Good work.
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Thanks e-tour! Welcome to the road.
I learned about LNT as a scout, now I teach it to other Scouts and in some colleges... Scouts is how it all started for me.
I visited your display at the Jamboree. You did a great job with an empty field! Excellent display and very knowledgeable staff. You did a great job!
I appreciate the support you give to the Boy Scouts as they continue to raise another generation of responsible citizens.
I am proud to say I am a Boy Scout Leader and a member of Leave No Trace.
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