Since 1910, conservation and environmental studies have been an integral part of the Boy Scouts of America. Scouts have rendered distinguished public service by helping to conserve wildlife, energy, forests, soil, and water. Past generations of Scouts have been widely recognized for undertaking conservation Good Turn action projects in their local communities. Through environmental explorations, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Venturers, and Sea Scouts visit the outdoors and discover the natural world around them. Many natural resource careers are born in Scouting. Since its first appearance in the 1955 printing of the Boy Scout Handbook, the Outdoor Code has reminded Scouts to be conservation-minded.
The Outdoor Code As an American, I will do my best to— Be clean in my outdoor manners. Be careful with fire. Be considerate in the outdoors. Be conservation-minded.
Conservation and Outdoor Ethics
The Occoneechee Council Conservation Committee as a component of its primary mission the responsibility to promote conservation and outdoor ethics principles among the council’s Cub Scouts, Scouts USA, Venturers and Scouters. All Scouting participants should have the opportunity to receive the Outdoor Ethics Awareness Award and be versed in the BSA Outdoor Code. All council programs and activities should adhere to Leave No Trace guidelines, the BSA Wilderness Use Policy, and the Outdoor Code. Conservation and outdoor ethics should be emphasized at all council training. Primary functions of this committee include promotion of the Outdoor Ethics program and the William T. Hornaday award.