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What is Leave No Trace?
In Guiding, a love for the outdoors and respect for the environment are core values. But we often say we practice it, but what are the 7 Leave No Trace principles? And how can we teach them to children in a meaningful way?
This guide introduces the 7 Leave No Trace principles through fun, hands-on outdoor ethics activities and games, perfect for Ladybirds, Brownies, and Guides, and a great refresher for your own knowledge too!
1. Plan ahead and prepare
When we plan outdoor adventures, we help ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone while also reducing our impact on the environment. Poor planning can lead to damaged landscapes and affect the outdoor experience.
The dress-up game
Have a bag filled with clothes and items (e.g., sunscreen, bug spray, map) both fantastic and practical. Each girl picks one and explains what it is and why it might be useful on a trip.
Chain story
In a circle, the first person begins: “I went for a walk and I put on…” adding one item. The next person continues the list by adding another item. Great for memory and thinking about preparedness.
2. Be considerate of others
Being courteous outdoors means everyone can enjoy the natural environment. Loud noises, pets off-lead, or trampling over areas can disturb both people and wildlife.
Can you hear?
Lie quietly outside, close your eyes and listen. Can you hear the wind, birds, nature noises? Ask then if you can hear human-made sounds like cars, construction, or planes. Repeat using smell and touch, exploring different sensory experiences outdoors.
Whisper game
Pair up. One girl is blindfolded while the other gives quiet verbal instructions to guide her around. Repeat with louder voices or groups speaking at once. Talk about how noise levels affect others.
3. Respect farm animals and wildlife
When outdoors, we’re entering the homes of wild animals. Our presence can stress or even harm them. By respecting their space, we help protect biodiversity and natural ecosystems.
Creatures’ homes
Find a good place for a worm, spider, beetle or even a squirrel. Use a hoop or string to mark the spot and discuss what makes it a suitable home for each of them (size, shape what it’s made of). Then get the
m to make a house for a bug, mammal, or bird. This game can be done in pairs or individually.
Hug a tree
Hug a tree and see how many arms it takes to reach around the big ones! How does it feel? Rough, smooth, dry? Talk about how trees are living and communicate underground through their roots. Stretch like a tree, sway in the breeze and stretch towards the sun!
4. Travel and camp responsibly
Moving carefully through nature helps prevent erosion, damage to plants, and harm to delicate ecosystems. Responsible travel also includes where and how we rest or camp.
Tread carefully
Create a barefoot obstacle course using safe and textured items and ground. This sensory expedition helps children notice how the ground feels and encourages mindful movement outdoors.
Shadow walk
Find your way around trying only to stay in the shadows. Hop, skip, or jump! Where did you end up? Was it off the path? Discuss why staying on trails protects plants and soil.
5. Leave what you find
Everything in nature has a role. Leaving items where we find them keeps ecosystems intact and preserves the experience for others. This includes rocks, plants, and natural artifacts.
Treasure hunt
Name a nature item to find (e.g., a snail, or dandelion). When one person finds it, everyone gathers to look. Use clear buckets for items they are allowed to pick up and examine. Alternatively, use a hoop to mark where the item is then examine with a magnifying glass. Replace all items and talk about why we replace them.
Mystery bag
Fill a soft bag with nature items (cone, leaf, shell, stone). Children guess the item by touch. For younger groups, name items and ask them to find them in nature and then return them.
6. Dispose of waste properly
Leaving litter in nature harms animals, pollutes water, and spoils beautiful places. It’s important to know how to sort and dispose of waste correctly, at home or in the wild.
Bin game
Designate four sides of an area as Green Bin, Black Bin, Brown Bin, and Dump. Call out items and have the girls run to where they would put it.
You can also have a bag of clean dry rubbish that you hold up.
Geocaching with litter
Place clean “rubbish” items around a space, where they can be found easily. Have a simple map of the area and place. Children have to find them and draw where they are on the map. This teaches awareness of how visible litter is in nature and how to collect it responsibly.
7. Protect nature from fire
Even small sparks can cause big wildfires. Learning about fire safety in nature is essential, especially during dry seasons.
Make your own fire for campfire time
Use handprints in red, orange, and yellow paint to create a paper fire. Once dry, put them in a tepee of sticks to make fake fire. Perfect for singing around, without lighting a real fire! We are also able to sing with our real fire.
What can start a fire?
Show pictures or examples of fire hazards: glass bottles, matches, disposable BBQs, gas canisters. Discuss how these can cause wildfires and what to do if you see a fire in nature.
Let’s Leave No Trace together
By introducing these simple, fun outdoor ethics activities to young explorers, we build a future generation that respects nature, protects wildlife, and Leaves No Trace behind.
Depending on the age of the girls, our Journey Programme adapts, but many of our activities take place outdoors. We even have an Outdoor Challenge Badge, which girls can earn by completing the Badge criteria and embracing outdoor adventure. The aim is for all Units, across all Branches, to get outdoors and put the seven Leave No Trace principles into practice.
Heather Burnett Niland
