Overview

The core of teaching Leave No Trace to children is the seven LNT principles: plan ahead, travel and camp on durable surfaces, dispose of waste properly, leave what you find, minimize campfire impacts, respect wildlife, and be considerate of others. These principles form the basis of practical stewardship lessons that address biodiversity loss and heavy park use, and they align with WHO‑recommended daily physical activity for children. At the Young Explorers Club we use short scripts, games, rotating stewardship roles, and simple checks to build lasting habits.

Seven Leave No Trace Principles

Plan ahead and prepare — reduce impacts by being ready and informed.
Travel and camp on durable surfaces — use trails, rocks, and established campsites.
Dispose of waste properly — pack it out and follow local rules for human waste.
Leave what you find — do not remove plants, rocks, or cultural items.
Minimize campfire impacts — prefer stoves or use established fire rings responsibly.
Respect wildlife — observe from a distance and never feed animals.
Be considerate of other visitors — keep noise low and yield on trails.

Teaching Methods for Children

Short Scripts and Modeling

Use brief, repeatable scripts so adults model choices out loud (e.g., “We pack out all wrappers” or “We step on the trail to protect plants”). Visible adult decisions act as on-the-spot teaching moments.

Play-based Exercises

Introduce concepts through games and activities that make stewardship fun and memorable:

Single-rule starts — introduce one LNT rule per outing.
Relays and challenges — “pack it out” races or timed cleanups.
Scavenger tasks — “collect 10 items” (trash) or identify durable surfaces.

Rotating Stewardship Roles

Rotate roles so each child practices leadership and stewardship—trail leader, litter monitor, wildlife watcher, or camp safety checker. Roles build responsibility and let every child practice behaviors.

Simple Checks and Quizzes

Use short pre/post checks (for example, a five-question quiz) to assess understanding and show learning gains. Keep tools age-appropriate and fast to administer.

Examples & Activities

“Collect 10 items” cleanup — focus on trash removal, discuss sources and prevention.
Durable-surface ID — children identify three durable surfaces and explain why they’re used.
Pack-it-out challenge — teams earn points for properly packing all gear and trash.
Five-question pre/post quiz — short assessment to measure knowledge change.

Tracking Outcomes & Metrics

Track impact with simple, repeatable measures so programs can show environmental and behavioral changes:

Litter audits — count items collected per session.
Items per 100 m — standardized measure of litter density along trails.
Durable-surface ID accuracy — percent of correct identifications by children.
Pre/post quiz scores — measure knowledge gains and retention.

These metrics help demonstrate outcomes such as reduced litter and less trampling over time.

Embedding LNT into Routines

Make the principles habitual by integrating them into every outing:

Checklists — include LNT reminders on gear and safety lists.
Pre/post briefings — a 2-minute rule review before and after activities.
Gear lists — pack options that support minimizing impact (stoves, sealable bags).
Safety rules — link stewardship to personal and group safety.

Key Takeaways

Teach the seven Leave No Trace principles as clear, actionable rules linked to specific activities.
Use age-appropriate, play-based exercises (single-rule starts, relays, “pack it out” challenges) and rotate roles so each child practices stewardship and leadership.
Model behavior with short scripts and clear adult choices—visible decisions reinforce learning on the spot.
Track impact with simple metrics—litter audits, items per 100 m, durable-surface ID, and pre/post quizzes—to show changes in behavior and the environment.
Embed LNT into routines (checklists, pre/post briefings, gear lists, safety rules) so the principles become habitual.

Why Teaching Leave No Trace to Kids Matters

Leave No Trace is an environmental ethic summarized in seven principles created to reduce recreation impacts, formalized by the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics (est. 1994). I frame those 7 Leave No Trace principles as the backbone of every outdoor lesson.

Biodiversity loss raises the stakes: IPBES: ~1 million species threatened (2019). Public-use pressure amplifies local damage — there are over 300 million national park visits annually. Household waste adds up too: EPA: ~4.9 lb (2.2 kg) MSW per person per day. The Ellen MacArthur Foundation ocean plastic projection warns of more plastic than fish by 2050. At the same time, WHO: 60 minutes/day physical activity (ages 5–17) makes outdoor play critical; it gives us a chance to teach stewardship while kids get healthy exercise.

I make the lesson concrete with a quick story I use on day one: a family picnic ends with a trail of wrappers, crushed grass from trampling and a small fire ring left smoldering. That scene shows kids the direct consequences of choices. We turn that moment into a task: pick up litter, restore the grass, and talk through each of the seven principles.

The 7 Leave No Trace principles

Here are the principles I teach by name and action:

Plan ahead and prepare.
Travel and camp on durable surfaces.
Dispose of waste properly.
Leave what you find.
Minimize campfire impacts.
Respect wildlife.
Be considerate of other visitors.

How we teach and reinforce Leave No Trace with kids

I use short, active exercises that match attention spans and learning stages. Start with a single rule for the first outing, then add another the next time. Role-modeling matters: adults follow the rules visibly and explain decisions as they go. Make stewardship concrete by assigning simple jobs — trash captain, trail monitor, fire steward — and rotate roles so every child practices leadership.

Use games and micro-challenges to reinforce habits. For example, a “pack-it-in, pack-it-out” relay turns waste management into a fun competition. Link lessons to health by timing active stewardship tasks into WHO: 60 minutes/day physical activity (ages 5–17); kids earn their play minutes while protecting the site. I also connect classroom concepts to real outdoor practice through outdoor learning sessions that emphasize curiosity and care.

Teach reasons, not just rules. Explain how EPA: ~4.9 lb (2.2 kg) MSW per person per day scales up on trails, or how the Ellen MacArthur Foundation ocean plastic projection ties litter to global harm. Highlight local pressure from over 300 million national park visits annually so kids see that small actions add up. Reinforce with consistent praise and visible results: a cleaned picnic area or restored trail becomes a badge of pride.

Finally, make Leave No Trace habitual by embedding it in routines. Pack kit-checklists, pre-trip briefings, and post-trip reflections turn principles into muscle memory. We at the young explorers club keep lessons simple, repeat them often, and celebrate stewardship as part of being an explorer.

Summer camp Switzerland, International summer camp 3

The Seven Leave No Trace Principles: Kid-Friendly Explanations and Quick Activities

Single-slide graphic to show at the start

Create one clear slide that lists these seven principles so kids see the whole picture at once:

Plan ahead and prepare
Travel and camp on durable surfaces
Dispose of waste properly
Leave what you find
Minimize campfire impacts
Respect wildlife
Be considerate of other visitors

Kid-friendly definitions, short activities, and measurable takeaways

We, at the young explorers club, teach each principle with a simple line, a hands-on game, and a clear metric.

1) Plan ahead and prepare — Kid-friendly definition: Know where we are going and what we need so we stay safe and help nature.

Activity: pack-and-check checklist race where teams pack a demo bag and run a quick checklist.

Metric: name 3 items on the checklist before leaving.
2) Travel and camp on durable surfaces — Kid-friendly definition: Walk and camp where the ground can handle feet, like trails, rock, or gravel.

Activity: “Spot the durable surface” game identifying trails, rock, gravel, and dry grasses.

Metric: identify 3 durable surfaces on a short hike.
3) Dispose of waste properly — Kid-friendly definition: Put trash and pee/poop in the right place.

Activity: “Pack it out” scavenger hunt; practice using trash and recycling bags and trowels for catholes.

Metric: collect at least one bag of trash or 10 items on a short hike.
4) Leave what you find — Kid-friendly definition: Look with your eyes, not your hands; don’t pick flowers or take artifacts.

Activity: photo-then-sketch nature journal — take a photo, then draw it in the journal.

Metric: demonstrate leaving 3 natural items in place.
5) Minimize campfire impacts — Kid-friendly definition: Use small fires only where allowed and clean up when done.

Activity: compare campfire vs. stove cooking demonstration so kids see the difference.

Metric: demonstrate building a safe camp stove setup or list 3 campfire safety steps.
6) Respect wildlife — Kid-friendly definition: Give animals space and never feed them.

Activity: binocular observation with distance markers (tape flags at 25–100 ft) so kids learn safe viewing distances.

Metric: stay behind a marked distance for at least one wildlife observation.
7) Be considerate of other visitors — Kid-friendly definition: Share trails and keep noise low so others can enjoy nature.

Activity: trail role-play with passing, leash rules, and quiet zone practice.

Metric: demonstrate polite passing and keep a quiet voice for 5 minutes on trail.

Use the “Pack it in, pack it out” mantra often. Short scripts leaders can say: “Pack it in, pack it out — what goes in your pack comes home with you,” or “Hands off, eyes on — we leave it for others.”

Incorporate photos or illustrations of children practicing each principle where possible; these visuals help kids remember and model the behavior. See our guide to outdoor learning for activities that link these principles to lasting habits.

Summer camp Switzerland, International summer camp 5

How to Teach Each Principle: Scripts, Safety Notes, Hands-On Assessments

We, at the Young Explorers Club, teach each Leave No Trace principle with simple language, clear scripts, activities, and measurable checks so kids can practice safe, respectful outdoor behavior.

Plan ahead and prepare

Age messaging: Preschool — simple rules (bring water, tell an adult where you go). Older kids — basic trip planning, emergency roles, route choice.

Short script: “We check weather, snacks, and safety so the trail helps us, not the other way around.”

Activity: Use a kid-friendly checklist for half-day (water, snack, hat, whistle) or overnight (sleeping bag, warm layers, extra food, headlamp). Let a child lead a mini-packing demo.

Safety notes: Set an emergency plan and use the buddy system. Assign an adult to carry first aid and communication devices.

Assessment: Ask a child to name three checklist items and to lead a 2-minute packing demo. Sample outcome: leader packs correctly for a half-day hike.

Travel and camp on durable surfaces

Age messaging: Show durable versus fragile surfaces with simple visuals and touch comparisons.

Short script: “Stay on the path so plants can keep growing.”

Activity: Do a before/after boot-print count or photo comparison (trampled meadow vs durable campsite).

Safety notes: Avoid steep, unstable slopes and loose gravel. Keep groups small while crossing fragile areas.

Assessment: Have each child identify three durable surfaces. Sample outcome: 80% of the group correctly names rock, gravel, and established trail.

Dispose of waste properly

Age messaging: “Everything you bring, bring home.” Explain human waste rules vary by place.

Short script: “Pack it out — trash goes into our bag.”

Activity: Run a ‘pack it out’ litter collection challenge and practice sealing trash bags. Teach the cat-hole method for permitted sites: dig a 6–8 inch (15–20 cm) cathole with a small trowel, bury waste, and pack out toilet paper or use approved waste bags when required.

Safety notes: Use gloves when handling trash. Emphasize hygiene and handwashing or sanitizer after handling waste. For human waste, explain privacy and safe digging locations.

Assessment: Collect 10 items on a short hike or demonstrate sealing a trash bag. Sample outcome: each team returns with a sealed bag and lists where they disposed of waste.

Leave what you find

Age messaging: Explain how removing plants, rocks, or artifacts changes habitats and stories of places.

Short script: “Let others find it too — leave it as you found it.”

Activity: Compare two nearby areas (intact vs removed) to observe differences in plant cover or animal signs.

Safety notes: Avoid touching unknown plants or animals. Use gloves when handling objects of uncertain origin.

Assessment: List three reasons not to pick plants or remove artifacts. Reinforce with a quick quiz and observation task. Use the outdoor classroom link to show why natural areas are valuable: outdoor classroom.

Minimize campfire impacts

Age messaging: Teach that stoves are preferable and fires leave scars.

Short script: “Stoves cook fast and leave no scar.”

Activity: Hold a stove-cooking relay and run a post-fire cleanup checklist.

Safety notes: Matches and lighters should be used by trained adults only. Always extinguish completely and check for hot embers. Follow local fire bans and age guidance for fire tools.

Assessment: Demonstrate safe stove setup or list the five steps to fully extinguish a fire: reduce, stir, feel, repeat, cover.

Respect wildlife

Age messaging: Never feed animals; keep distance and quiet.

Short script: “Wild animals are wild — we give them space.”

Activity: Play a wildlife-distance game with tape flags, then role-play responses to sightings.

Safety notes: Maintain 25–100 ft depending on species (minimum 25 ft for small mammals/birds; 100 ft+ for bears or large carnivores). Never encourage animals by offering food.

Assessment: Maintain proper distance during an observation exercise and role-play non-feeding responses. Sample outcome: all students successfully enact a non-feeding encounter.

Be considerate of others

Age messaging: Share the trail, keep voices low, follow posted rules.

Short script: “Hello, thank you — we pass on the left and smile.”

Activity: Role-play passing on trail and a quiet-time challenge.

Safety notes: Respect trail closures and signage. Teach respectful behavior around livestock and other groups.

Assessment: Demonstrate polite passing and adherence to posted rules during a field session. Sample outcome: group completes a pass sequence without prompting.

Classroom-ready measurable goals and sample outcomes

Collect 10 items on a short hike; sample outcome: sealed bag returned and logged.
Identify 3 durable surfaces; sample outcome: correct ID by 80% of students.
Demonstrate proper human waste disposal (cat-hole with small trowel or pack-out); sample outcome: correct dig depth and waste sealing.
Lead short trip plan demo; sample outcome: student lists three emergency items and packs a half-day kit.
Maintain proper wildlife distance in an observation role-play; sample outcome: no simulated feeding and correct distance kept.

Summer camp Switzerland, International summer camp 7

Play-Based Teaching Strategies, Curricula & Age-Appropriate Guidance

I outline clear, age-based goals so every activity teaches a practical LNT skill and stays fun. At the Young Explorers Club, we pair short, attention-friendly games with measurable outcomes and simple rubrics that teachers and camp leaders can use on the spot. I integrate the LNT for Kids curriculum and link it to hands-on practice via the LNT for Kids curriculum to keep lessons consistent across settings.

Age-based activity framework and sample activities

Preschool (3–5): Focus on sensory walks, one-rule reminders, and 10–20 minute activities. Use short scripts like “We look with our eyes, not our hands.” Sample activities: a sensory scavenger (smell, touch on bark, look for shapes) and a 3–5 minute sit spot. Assessment: simple behavior checklist (observed correct LNT behavior: yes/no for the single rule).
Elementary (6–11): Emphasize citizen science, litter audit basics, nature journaling, and an LNT relay/race. Run a 30–60 minute relay/race with cones and laminated principle cards. Try a ‘pack it out’ litter collection challenge (goal: collect 10 items). Assessment: 5-question pre/post quiz and items per 100 m metric.
Middle (12–14): Add stewardship projects, trail impact survey skills, and data collection tools. Do a ‘compare two sites’ impact survey with transects and photos. Assessment: percent-change in trampling index and pre/post knowledge gain.
High school (15–18): Lead service learning, advocacy, and mentoring younger groups. Require pre/post evaluations, report writing, and logged stewardship hours. Assessment: rubric scoring for leadership and accuracy of data reporting.

Activity blueprints (step-by-step highlights)

LNT relay/race — Materials: cones/flags, laminated principle cards, timer. Timing: 30 minutes. Goal: learn all seven principles through active stations.
1. Set 7 stations.
2. Give a 2-minute rule brief at each station.
3. Run teams through stations.
4. Debrief and check understanding.
Assessment: itinerary checklist; each student must correctly explain at least 3 principles to score.
‘Pack it out’ litter collection challenge — Materials: gloves, trash-pickers, bags, data sheet, scale (optional). Timing: 45–60 minutes. Goal: collect and sort trash; calculate items per 100 meters.
1. Assign transects.
2. Collect trash and sort by type.
3. Record counts on the data sheet.
4. Optional: weigh and calculate density.
Assessment: items per 100 m metric and guided group reflection.
‘Compare two sites’ impact survey — Materials: clipboards, cameras, transect tape, data sheets. Timing: 60–90 minutes. Goal: document vegetation trampling index and items per 100 m.
1. Pick paired sites with similar starting conditions.
2. Run identical transects at each site.
3. Photograph representative areas.
4. Record trampling index and litter counts.
Assessment: pre/post comparison and percent-change calculation.

Citizen science integrations (quick how-to)

iNaturalist: photograph an organism, upload with location, add ID suggestions, and submit the observation.
eBird: log species, enter counts, pick location and date, and submit a checklist.

Curricula, program links, and measurement examples

Curricula & programs: integrate the LNT for Kids curriculum, local park education programs, and Scouts/BSA activities for scalable alignment across settings.

Measurement examples I use:

Items per 100 meters
A 5-question pre/post quiz with a target of +30% improvement
Behavior checklist for on-the-spot observation
Pre/post quiz scoring and basic analytics
Stewardship hours logged for service learning credit

Gear, Safety Checklists & Classroom Supplies

We, at the young explorers club, pack smart so kids can practice Leave No Trace while staying safe and comfortable. I design gear lists that balance light weight, kid fit, and clear stewardship—then I show instructors how to use each item for teaching moments. For program goals I align activities with WHO’s 60 minutes/day physical activity recommendation and point families to resources that help kids learn responsibility through camp activities.

Kid-specific gear list (compact specs and purpose)

Child-sized daypack (10–18 L) — fits a water bottle and small layers without dragging on hips.
Water bottle 12–20 oz — one per child for short outings; easy-grip and leakproof.
Refillable water bottle (350–600 mL) for younger kids — fits the smaller daypack and encourages sipping.
Comfortable closed-toe shoes or child hiking boots — grip matters on wet trails.
Sun hat and SPF 30+ sunscreen — broad-spectrum formula, reapply every two hours.
Small first-aid kit and blister supplies — adhesive, antiseptic wipes, moleskin.
Emergency whistle and basic headlamp/flashlight — taught as mandatory safety tools.
Sit pad or small groundsheet — keeps kids dry and reduces campsite impact.
Small digging trowel — only for approved human-waste protocols and taught with strict guidance.
Trash/recycling bags — pack it out always; use separate bags for recyclables.
Field guides or laminated ID cards — quick species ID reduces off-trail searching.
Nature journal and pencil — low-tech stewardship that reinforces observation.

I keep classroom and activity supplies simple and durable: clipboards, gloves, trash-pickers, printed data sheets, timers, and laminated principle cards for quick group refocus. Cameras or phones serve as photo-logs for identification exercises and impact monitoring.

Safety and age-appropriate guidance stays front and center. I enforce supervision and the buddy system, stress hydration, sunscreen, first aid, emergency whistle use, and clear wildlife distance rules (25–100 ft depending on species). I limit fire tasks: adult-only ignition unless leaders are trained.

Annotated packing notes for leaders

Short half-day (2–4 hrs): pack a water bottle 12–20 oz per child, snack, hat, SPF 30+ sunscreen, a small first-aid kit, trash/recycling bags, and an emergency whistle.
Overnight outings: include the child-sized daypack (10–18 L) plus sleeping bag, warm layers, extra food, headlamp, spare water container, emergency shelter, and an adult medical kit.

Hydration note: one water bottle per child plus a 0.5 L spare in hot weather.

Measuring Impact, Case Studies & Troubleshooting

We, at the Young Explorers Club, measure impact with simple, repeatable indicators that anyone can apply. I use three core tools:

Pre/post quiz — to capture knowledge changes.
Leader observation checklist — for observed behavior.
Litter audit plus site condition index — for environmental outcomes.

A quick Pre/post quiz (5 questions) works well to report knowledge score increase. Sample items:

What does “pack it in, pack it out” mean?
Why stay on durable surfaces?
How do you dispose of toilet paper in the backcountry?
When is it OK to feed wildlife?
How do you reduce campfire impact?

Compare % correct before and after to show change.

I track observed behavior with a short checklist that focuses on key actions:

Staying on trail
Using pack-out bags
Not touching plants
Following campfire rules

For site condition I run a litter audit and record items per 100 meters, plus a vegetation trampling index and baseline vs after-volunteer comparisons. Use a local example baseline: collect 10–25 items per 100 m on a heavily used trail to set expectations.

Presenting results is simple and persuasive. Use bar charts for pre/post learning, maps with dot density for litter, and percent-change calculations (e.g., X% reduction or 20% fewer pieces of litter after a stewardship day).

Translate numbers into stewardship hours and community value. Report:

Number of youth trained
Total stewardship hours
Bags or items removed

I set SMART goals for every activity: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound. Practical goals might be:

Organize a 2-hour litter audit this month and aim to collect 5 bags of trash.
Teach one LNT principle per week for seven weeks.
Log 40 stewardship hours across two events.

Teaching in an outdoor classroom makes measurement easier and more engaging.

Troubleshooting, templates and quick scripts

When issues arise I follow a baseline → intervention → outcome template and keep scripts short. Key checklist items and fixes include:

Case study example:
- Baseline: litter audit = 200 items over 500 m (40 items/100 m).
- Intervention: 2-hour stewardship event with 20 youth.
- Outcome: 120 items removed (24 items/100 m), a 40% reduction immediately post-event.
- Stewardship hours logged: 40 hours.
Kids leaving trail: fix with role-play, clear boundaries, and closer supervision; assign trail buddies.
Picking plants: teach a “look but don’t touch” script and give immediate positive feedback: “We look with our eyes so the next kid can enjoy it too.”
Improper waste disposal: model correct behavior, supply pack-out bags, and repeat simple rules; use the redirect phrase: “Great eye — let’s pick that up so the trail stays nice for the next family.”
Unsafe campfires: restrict matches to trained adults and practice stove-only cooking during living-skill lessons.

I encourage programs to collect and report outcomes — stewardship hours, photos, percent-change in litter — to build local data and show impact.

https://youtu.be/9212RDUdrJw