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The Trainer Course is a vital component of the nationwide Leave No Trace program. It is a shortened version of the Master course. Participants receive introductory training in Leave No Trace skills and ethics in a condensed two-day format. The Trainer Course assists the student participants in learning more about the seven principles of Leave No Trace and techniques for disseminating these low impact skills.

What is a Trainer Course?

Trainer courses are designed for educators, guides, agency employees, and other outdoor professionals. Successful graduates of the Trainer Course gain the skills to teach Leave No Trace techniques and ethics to their clients, friends and family.

Participants learn the concepts of Leave No Trace and prepare to teach Leave No Trace curriculum in a variety of settings-schools, camps, parks, wilderness and front country areas. Workshop topics include the underlying ethics and seven principles of Leave No Trace:

• 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 to Run Trainer Course

Master Educators that are interested in running Trainer Courses should visit the Educational Resources page for a list of documents to review and submit to the Center prior to the course. Please contact the Center with questions.

• To submit your Trainer Course roster click here.
• There is a $5 fee for lost/replacement certificates. Please contact the Education Department
• If your organization or company wishes to facilitate, host or sponsor a Trainer Course in a National Service Park Unit, and your organization or company is under a Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) with the National Park Service, please contact Ben Lawhon to discuss the use of participant acknowledgement of risk forms.

How to Post a Trainer Course

Master Educators that are interested in posting a Trainer Course on the Leave No Trace website can do so by emailing the Education Department with the following information or using this form:

• Location
• Date
• Intended Audience
• Cost
• Description
• Gear
• Contact/Registration Information

How to Find a Trainer Course

Individuals interested in finding a Trainer Course in their area can do so by following these steps:

1. Check out the community page for your state (and nearby states) to see if there are any Trainer Courses listed.
2. Contact the State Advocate and Master Educators listed in your state and work with them to set-up a Trainer Course.
3. Check out the Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Trainer schedule and request an event (3+ months in advance).
4. Contact the Center with questions or for more information.

SAMPLE Listing

Below is an example of an active Trainer Course listing. To help route inquiries, all Trainer Courses are now posted on their State's Community Page. There you will also find listings for Awareness Workshops, Community Events, State Advocates and Master Educators.

Leave No Trace Trainer Course | Chelsea AL

When: Saturday August 20 - Sunday, August 21, 2011 
8:00 AM

Where: Kanawahala Program Center, 300 Girl Scout Rd, Chelsea, Alabama, 35043

Cost: $50.00 to be paid at time of registration. Includes meals,Trainer starter kit and certificate.

Description:  Anyone attending this training will be considered a Leave No Trace Trainer at the national level with the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics.  Becoming a Leave No Trace Trainer enables you to successfully conduct awareness workshops and scouting badge workshops.

*If you are in Boy Scouting, you can also be eligible to apply for a staff position as the Leave No Trace Trainer on a Boy Scout Summer Camp Staff. 

Contact: Beth McCandless, Master Educator, (205) 540-0030

Gear: What you would bring on a backpacking or car camping trip, be sure to include a tent and a trowel.  Any other questions should be directed to Beth McCandless at (205) 540-0030.

International Courses

Leave No Trace Trainer Course | Cebu City, Phillipines

When: June 21-23,2011

Where: Cebu, Phillipines

Who: Kool Adventure Camp facilitators/instructors, guides, mountaineering clubs

Cost: TBA

Description: 2-3 days backpacking acros the Central Cebu Protected Lanscape of Cebu, Phillipines. All participants will become Leave No Trace Trainers and will receive a certificate from the Center.

Gear: Will be provided by the program

Contact/Registration:

Kool Adventure Camp

Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc.

 #35 Lopez Jeana St., Cebu City, Phillippines

Tel Number: 6332- 4187234 loc 201

Mobile: 63- 090553160919     

Email: totits.ocampo@rafi.org.ph                                         

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