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Teaching Leave No Trace

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 Activity Plan

Camp on Durable Surfaces A Leave No Trace activity exploring campsite selection

What You Group Will Learn After participating in an activity designed to study campsite selection, group members will be capable of: determining the best location for a campsite. applying Leave No Trace ideas to campsite selection decisions. Your group will use a sketch of a heavily-used alpine area and one of a pristine desert area to help them decide the best location for setting up a campsite. The sketches will provide a focal point for questions and discussions. Materials and Preparation Materials: A copy of the two scenario activity sheets for each person (pp. 48-51). Small adhesive-backed colored dots to simulate tents. Each person should have the same number of dots as the group would have tents assuming one tent per two people 10 campers = 5 dots.

Preparation:

• Read the entire lesson plan and Back ground Information thoroughly. This activity should take about 45 minutes
• Photocopy one scenario activity sheet and drawing for each participant. The photocopies should be one sided to permit easy reference by the par pants. Photocopying drawings on two different colors makes referring to the scenarios even easier (i.e., alpine back green, desert buff). Purchase dots.

Grabbing Your Groups Attention: 5 minutes

Distribute Scenarios

1. Alpine Setting sketch, and
2. Desert Setting sketch.

Have participants look at the two drawings and share what they observe about the two scenes. In what ways are they similar? In what ways are they different? Explain that they will use these two drawings to make decisions about how to choose the best campsite in an area that has experienced heavy visitation and in an area that has experienced little or no visitation.

Steps to Teaching the Activity: 30 minutes.

Scenario 1: Alpine Setting

1. Distribute the Scenario 1, Alpine Backcountry Activity Sheet
2. Divide the group into teams of three or four. Tell them that each group is part of a larger group on a trip to a primitive area. Before starting the activity, each group should determine the size of the larger group, keeping in mind that this wilderness area allows no more than 10 campers per group.
3. Distribute the tents (dots) to each group. Assume two people will share one tent: 10 backpackers = 5 tents (dots).
4. Go over the directions for Scenario 1. Have the students complete the activity and follow it up with Time Out for Discussion.

Time Out for Discussion: Alpine

A close review of the Background Information is needed to effectively lead discussion.

• Where would you advise your group to camp? Most people will choose the established campsite. Discussion should focus on choosing a site that will protect the land and prevent new impact to the area.
• Why is camping close to the stream not an acceptable option? Discussion should focus on protection of riparian zones, the fragile, green area along the bank of the stream, on water condition and on scaring wildlife from coming down to the stream to drink.
• Rearrange the tents (dots) if the discussion causes participants to change their minds. Have people explain the reasons for their changes.

Summarizing key points for heavily-used areas.

• Camp 200 feet or more from lakes, streams, meadows and trails.
• Select campsites that are already well established and properly located.
• Confine most activities to the areas of the site that are already bare.

Scenario 2: Desert Setting.

• Distribute the Scenario - Desert Backcountry activity sheet.
• Repeat steps 2 through 4 listed under Scenario 1.

Time Out for Discussion: Desert

A close review of the Background Information is needed to effectively lead discussion.

• What area(s) will your group select for a campsite? Most people will choose the most durable surfaces such as flat rocks or sandy areas free of cryptobiotic soils. Discussion should focus on use of durable surfaces, on dispersal of activities, and on using alternative routes to and from locations.
• Rearrange the tents (dots) if the discussion causes participants to change their minds. Have people explain the reasons for their changes.

Summarizing key points for pristine areas.

• Choose a non-vegetated, highly resistant surface for tents and kitchens.
• Choose durable routes of travel between parts of camp.
• Avoid cryptobiotic soils.
• Limit your stay to no more than two nights.

Wrapping Up the Activity: 10 minutes. Your campers have practiced how to select campsites that will preserve the naturalness of the outdoors for wildlife and visitors. How well have they learned their lesson?

Have participants imagine they are on a back try trip and their leader has selected a camp site 50 feet from a stream. Your group has learned about the criteria for proper campsite selection. Given what they know, how will the group communicate with their leader concerning this problem.

• How will group members prepare their tent sites? Will they remove rocks, twigs, or leaves? What steps can be taken to minimize the impact of selecting and using a tent site? Refer to the background information for answers.

Congratulations on conducting a well-prepared meeting for your group!