TIm Horton Camp Kentahten, KY

Campers practice the 'rule of thumb' to respect wildlife.

Last week marked our second personal visit and the third annual visit for the Leave No Trace Traveling Trainers to the Tim Horton Camp Kentahten in Campbellsville, KY. Opened in 2001, this is the first Tim Horton Children's Foundation camp in the United States. The camp occupies 50 acres of waterfront property on Green River Lake, in the heart of Kentucky. The camp is full of high energy staff and campers from all over the U.S. and Canada. During two sessions we worked with over 120 campers and 30 staff members. We played activities from the Leave No Trace PEAK Pack to explore the 7 principles. The campers had many thoughtful questions and were particularly intrigued to learn about the use of a fire pan and a light weight back packing stove. A special thanks goes out to "Crocs" and her crew for the posh accommodations and the delicious meals. Keep up the great work Camp Kentahten. See you next year.

Happy Adventuring...Kate and Tracy

Food just tastes better OUTSIDE!

As we travel around the country, we do a lot of cooking in the great outdoors. Lately, we have run into numerous people who have commented "Food just tastes better when cooked outside." We totally agree! Whether you enjoy a grilled hot dog, bbq chicken, or a nice veggie burger, chances are the best grilled item you have ever eaten was consumed in the outdoors. We have had some delicious meals during our time on the road. Here are a few of our favorites:

Shrimp and Veggie stir-fry with brown rice

Foil Packet Dinners

Banana Boats

What are some of your favorite camp foods?

Happy Adventuring...Kate & Tracy

High Sierra Music Festival

For the 4th of July weekend we met up with previous Traveling Trainers, Alexis Ollar and Topher Marlatt at the 20th annual High Sierra Music Festival in Quincy, California. We hosted the 2nd annual Red, White, Blue, and Green Campsite Challenge encouraging festival goers to consider the seven principles of Leave No Trace while camping at the festival. We had a number of entries and in the picture above the judge, Jonathan Gelbard, Agata, and Alexis contemplate the entries.


We were excited to award the Grand Prize to Steve Van Zandt and the Banana Slug String Band for their campsite that is pictured above. The winning campsite had recycling and compost receptacles, solar powered lights, a solar shower, as well as creative and festive decorations. The Banana Slug String Band is based in Santa Cruz and is comprised of musicians and educators that bring science and conservation to audiences using music, humor and imagination.

Thanks to Debbie Crockett for making Leave No Trace a part of the High Sierra Music Festival once again.

All the best...

Agata and Jason

Pinkham Notch Visitor Center, New Hampshire

It was a busy holiday weekend for Team East. We provided booth outreach at the popular Mount Washington trailhead, Tuckerman's Ravine Trail, where we spoke with hundreds of hikers who came out to enjoy the blue bird day. With a 60 degree day forecast for the summit of Washington, who wouldn't want to make the trek to the top! Although we did not get to summit this time, we enjoyed watching the excited hikers begin their journey in the morning, and see them exhausted and empowered on their return. We wrapped up the day with an evening awareness workshop for guests staying at the Joe Dodge Lodge, one of the many lodges and huts of the White Mountains.

Pinkham Notch Visitor Center is nestled in the beautiful White Mountain region and is run by the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC). The Appalachian Mountain Club promotes the protection, enjoyment, and understanding of the mountains, forests, waters, and trails of the Appalachian region. AMC maintains over 1,500 miles of trails throughout the Northeast, including nearly 350 miles of the Appalachian Trail in 5 states. AMC and the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics maintain a strong relationship as AMC is one of the seven Leave No Trace Master Educator course providers. The past few months we have explored the Appalachians from south to north and we applaud all of AMC's hard work to protect the Appalachian Mountains.

Happy Adventuring...Kate & Tracy

Leave No Trace Bigfoot at Telluride Bluegrass Festival

Picture of the week 7/2/10

Happy 4th of July!

Traveling Trainers tune into the Radio Disney Safety Safari

On Saturday June 26th we were invited to teach about Leave No Trace and share free educational activities and information at the Radio Disney Safety Safari in Tigard, Oregon. The photo above drops in on the conversation between our Leave No Trace state advocate Georgia Bosse and some young folks learning about minimum impact outdoor recreation techniques focused on establishing a responsible campsite.

Below we have a few brave members of the audience learning more about the principle Respect Wildlife and how to use the "rule of thumb" to gauge a safe distance when viewing animals in their natural habitat.


A warm "thank you" to Georgia and Rex for their hospitality during our final 2010 visit to Oregon before we head back East for the second half of the year.

All the best,

Jason and Agata
Jason and Agata