Be clean in my outdoor manners,
Be careful with fire,
Be considerate in the outdoors, and be
conservation-minded.
___________________________________________
The version of the Outdoor Code above first appeared in 5th Edition of the Boy Scout Handbook in 1948 and is considered to be the first wilderness code of conduct embraced by the Boy Scouts of America. By the early 70s, each of the four principles acquired further codicils and was usually written as below:
___________________________________________As an American, I will do my best to--
BE CLEAN IN MY OUTDOOR MANNERS--I will treat the outdoors as a heritage to be improved for our greater enjoyment. I will keep my trash and garbage out of America's waters, fields. woods. and roadways.
BE CAREFUL WITH FIRE--I will prevent wildfire. I will build my fire in a safe place and be sure it is out before I leave.
BE CONSIDERATE IN THE OUTDOORS--I will treat public and private property with respect. I will remember that use of the outdoors is a privilege I can lose by abuse.
BE CONSERVATION MINDED--I will learn how to practice good conservation of soil, waters, forests, minerals, grasslands, and wildlife; and I will urge others to do the same. I will use sportsmanlike methods in all my outdoor activities.
__________________________________________
The Outdoor Code formed the roots of a more comprehensive wilderness code developed in the late 1970s and 1980s by the National Parks Service, United States Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management called Leave No Trace (LNT) to teach their visitors how to have a minimal impact on the land. After a pilot program in the 1980s with BSA and the High Unitas Wilderness Area, BSA endorsed the teaching of LNT principles in all levels of its Scouting programs. Today, Leave No Trace principles are a part of Cub Scout, Boy Scout, Venture and Adult Leader training. Conservation project planning and Leave No Trace camping are an important part of the 21st century Wood Badge curriculum.
--WB Scribbler
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