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, and

Be conservation-minded

Outdoor ethics is deeply ingrained in the BSA program. No place is this more important than in the outdoors. Scouting has a long, proud tradition of conservation service to the nation. How do we preserve that tradition? 

By being clean in our outdoor manners by:

• treating the outdoors as a heritage.
• taking care of it for myself and others.
• keeping my trash and garbage out of lakes, streams, fields, woods, and roadways.
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By being careful with fire

• preventing wildfire.
• only building fires only where they are appropriate.
• by making sure that when I have finished using a fire, I will make sure it is cold out.
• by leaving a clean fire ring, or removing all evidence of my fire.

Be considerate in the outdoors

• I will treat public and private property with respect.
• I will use low-impact methods of hiking and camping.

Be conservation minded

• I will learn how to practice good conservation of soil, waters, forests, minerals, grasslands, wildlife, and energy.
• I will urge others to do the same.