Outreach at Utah Valley University

Last week we had the pleasure of returning to Utah Valley University in Orem, UT to work with the Outdoor Pursuits Program. Students at UVU have access to a wide range of outdoor opportunities through the program. Students take trips all year round from backcountry skiing in the Winter to canyoneering in Grand Gulch in the Spring. All of their trips encompass Leave No Trace skills and ethics.

We were fortunate to reach two classes- the Introduction to Outdoor Recreation Class and the Experiential Education class. Both classes were introduced to the principles of Leave No Trace and we spoke to the importance of utilizing the skills and ethics while in the outdoors. In the Experiential Education class, we highlighted various methods of teaching leave no trace and ways to reach different audiences.

Afterwards we visited the Outdoor Adventure Center and spoke to the trip leaders that work for the Center. This gave us the opportunity to dive into proper disposal of human waste in the backcountry and strategies for Winter disposal and group use.

This was our third consecutive year visiting UVU. Thanks to Kim Reynolds and all her staff for a wonderful training. We look forward to another session in the future!

Explore Responsibly...Kate and Tracy

Picture of the Week 1/28/11

Traveling Trainer Team East, Jason and Agata, and Team West, Kate and Tracy, hang out with Bigfoot at Outdoor Retailer in Salt Lake City.

Two REI PEAK Trainings in Salt Lake City

This week we had the chance to visit the Salt Lake City and Sandy REI's in Utah to facilitate two PEAK Trainings. The PEAK (Promoting Environmental Awareness in Kids) program is the result of a unique partnership between REI and the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics. PEAK is a curriculum of hands-on activities and games to introduce youth to Leave No Trace in a fun and engaging way. We were excited to have so many excellent participants join us for these workshops. Various non-profits and youth-serving organizations were in attendance, including Splore, the Sierra Club, the Boys and Girls Club, and the Girl and Boy Scouts of America.

Check out the Traveling Trainer calendar for the next PEAK Training near you. Our next PEAK training will be on February 16th at the Austin-Gateway REI. If you work with kids and want to teach them about outdoor ethics this workshop is for you!

All the best,

Agata and Jason

Leave No Trace at Churchill Jr. High

The two Traveling Trainer teams worked together yesterday to visit six different classes at Churchill Junior High School in Salt Lake City, Utah. We all enjoyed the opportunity to connect with the students and staff and learn more together about responsible outdoor recreation.
During our morning on campus we focused on the educational program as well as the common sense steps we all can take to minimize our impacts wherever we enjoy our favorite outdoor activities.

Special "thanks" to Celeste Eppler the Outreach Specialist with REI in Salt Lake City, Utah for setting up this event.

All the best,

Jason and Agata

Bigfoot Madness at Outdoor Retailer

Salt Lake City becomes the outdoor mecca of outdoor retailers and enthusiasts every winter and summer as the Outdoor Retailer Market moves into the Salt Palace Convention Center. This past week we joined thousands of people to look at the hottest new gear and trends in the outdoor industry. One of the more exciting aspects at the show for the Traveling Trainers is the Great Gear Giveaway, sponsored by Backpacker Magazine and Subaru of America. Each afternoon, the Traveling Trainers randomly select six lucky winners to go home with a box full of gear that has been donated by partners of the Center including, but not limited to, Cascade Designs, Pacific Outdoor Equipment, Leki USA, Osprey Packs, and Falcon Guides. We draw such a crowd for the Great Gear Giveaway, you never know who will show up. This year, Bigfoot surprised us by showing up each afternoon to help us with the drawing. Thanks Big Guy!!

Explore More...Kate & Tracy

Bigfoot is Getting Ready for Outdoor Retailer

While sight-seeing in Salt Lake City we ran into Bigfoot who was preparing for the Outdoor Retailer Winter Market that starts on Thursday, January 20th and runs through Sunday, January 23rd. Bigfoot will be available to take pictures with and to answer questions on how to best Leave No Trace. The Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics will have two booths, so come find us to learn more about memberships, partnerships, and of course how to minimize your impact on the outdoors. Also, don't forget about the annual Great Gear Giveaway which will be happening Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 4 pm at the downstairs booth.

All the best,

Agata and Jason

Are You Looking To Become A Leave No Trace Master Educator?

Boulder, CO is the location of the national headquarters for the Leave No Trace Center For Outdoor Ethics. January marks an exciting time of year for The Center, as the Traveling Trainers are in Colorado preparing for the upcoming season on the road. January also marks the yearly Master Educator Course Provider Meeting. A representative from each of the 7 providers of the 5 day Leave No Trace Master Educator Course convenes in Boulder to discuss updates from their previous year. The meeting is also a forum for sharing ideas on what is working and what challenges they are faced with as each organization pours their efforts into educating thousands of people at the highest level of leave no trace training.

The seven Master Educator Course Providers are listed below:

• Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK)
• Appalachain Mountain Club (AMC)
• Boy Scouts of America (BSA)
• Landmark Learning
• National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS)
• Nine Mile Wildlands Trainng Center
• Wilderness Education Association (WEA)

If you would like to find a course near you, check out the Leave No Trace community page or consult the direct website of one of the course providers listed above.

Explore Responsibly…Kate and Tracy

International Sportsmen's Expo

All weekend long the Traveling Trainers will be educating thousands of outdoor enthusiasts at the International Sportsmen's Expo at the Denver Convention Center! We have teamed up with our friends at Stay the Trail Colorado to encourage everyone at the show to be more responsisble outdoors men and women, and kids too! Whether you hunt, fish, ride OHVs, or just really enjoy spending time outdoors, this show has a little something for everyone. If you come to the show, be sure to come by our booth to say Hi and take your chance at a Leave No Trace activity!

Oh, and rumor has it that Bigfoot may be making an appearance at the show on Saturday. If so, be sure to get your picture taken and show your support of Leave No Trace. Hope to see you this weekend at the International Sportsmen's Expo.

Happy New Year!

After a restful and rejuvinating holiday for the Traveling Trainers, Team East-Jason and Agata Ketterick and Team West- Kate Bullock and Tracy Howard, are excited and eager for the upcoming 2011 season! Both teams are making their way back to Boulder to prepare to hit the road again. The schedules are filling up fast, but we are still accepting requests! If you are interested in hosting a FREE Traveling Trainer event, click here to access the online request form and the teams online calendars.

Here's to a happy, healthy, and adventure-filled 2011! Hope to see you out there.