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Wild WildernessThere is a new and bewildering world outside the Scout Camp for the Scout who has been accustomed to chopping, digging and lashing his way through a weekend of frontier comfort. Although woodcraft is still formally taught in Scouting as part of the Scout Camping Program, there has not been a concerted effort until now to distinguish between acceptable and unacceptable camping practices in the backcountry and wilderness areas.With Scouting membership over five million, and with our major emphasis being placed on the outdoors, it is time that we accept the fact that there are too many of us and too few undisturbed wooded areas for every Paul Bunyan to be allowed to exercise his ingenuity with a knife, ax and bowsaw. The ideal of the new breed of Scouts is to camp so simply that any campers following can't find any trace that anyone stayed there. The ethical camper should still stop at established campsites and compensate his loss of aesthetic pleasure by cleaning up some of the mess, packing it out and enjoying a deep glow of virtue. The old rule that a good campsite should offer wood, water and shelter does not apply anymore. Today's Scout can carry his shelter, fuel and water; thus erecting a cozy campsite and taking pride that he will leave no trace. With more and more people taking to the trail to escape the hustle and bustle of society, hikers must learn to get along with others. A single, thoughtless, noisy camper can ruin dozens of other courteous campers' days. With the backpackers explosion of the last several years, every hiker should do his utmost to not pollute the quiet or the darkness. He should strive to be more cat-like than ape-like. Everyone needs to share the job of keeping our outdoor freedom. A good way to start is to review and strictly follow the National Boy Scouts of America's Wilderness Use policy. Let's keep the outing in Scouting, but strive to keep the wild in wilderness as well. The Boy Scouts of America has a long history of being involved with and committed to sound camping and conservation practices. The terms "no trace", "low impact", and "minimum impact" are some of the many applied to the type of camping which is a simple extension of good Scout camping. Fundamental to a successful minimum impact camping program is an educated and dedicated wilderness user. For a natural area to survive intensive backcountry use, each participant must make a personal commitment. That commitment is two-fold; it involves learning how to conserve the wilderness and then reducing one's impact upon the land through intelligent conservation practices. The key to this aim is helping people realize that they, as individuals, do make a difference. Seemingly, conservation practices and ideals should be readily accepted by people committed to the outdoors. However, the minimum impact camping ethic runs contrary to the pre-existing notions of many. Foremost among these is the notion that rules and regulations violate our personal freedom. One must ask, are we loving the wilderness to death? In the wilderness, as elsewhere, true freedom requires a willingness to assume responsibility for one's actions--including those that might harm the land. As wilderness users, we must accept that responsibility by using the land in a manner that will minimize our impact on it. By reading, learning and understanding the minimum impact guidelines printed in the Boy Scout Handbook and Fieldbook, you should be able to enjoy the backcountry, yet be able to preserve the land and wilderness for the enjoyment of future generations. Take a few minutes to review the 'Outdoor Code' and 'Wilderness Pledge.' Together they form the basis for backcountry preservation and enjoyment. 'The Outdoor Code' As an American and citizen of the world, I will do my best to:
Through good camping and hiking practices, I pledge myself to preserve the beauty and splendor of America's wilderness, primitive and backcountry areas. I commit myself to: set a personal example in following the Outdoor code, train those I lead in the skills and attitudes needed to protect and preserve the wilderness for future generations, assure that parties of which I am a part of, observe the hiking and camping standards that will "leave no trace" of our passing. |
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