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Regardless of the outdoor activity, Leave No Trace skills are important to learn. Leave No Trace courses function like a pyramid. Master Educator courses are at the top of the pyramid and train people to become comprehensive Leave No Trace educators, or Master Educators. Master Educators, in turn, teach the second level, the Trainer Course, to people who become Leave No Trace Trainers. Trainers (or Master Educators) are then able to conduct our third level of training called Awareness Workshops, which are designed for the general public and promote Leave No Trace.
Death Valley
About the Courses
A Master Educator course is typically five-days in length and designed for people who are actively teaching others outdoor skills or providing recreation information to the public. Currently, there are over 3500 Leave No Trace Master Educators worldwide representing dozens of countries and all 50 U.S. states. This valuable training is recognized throughout the world by the outdoor industry, land management agencies and the outdoor recreation community. Successful graduates of the Master Educator course have the ability to train others in Leave No Trace skills as well as facilitate Leave No Trace Trainer courses and Awareness Workshops.
Course Curriculum
The Master Course provides participants with a comprehensive overview of Leave No Trace skills and ethics through practical application in a field-based setting. The first day is spent in a classroom, introducing the course and schedule, providing in-depth information on the overall Leave No Trace program and the Center for Outdoor Ethics, reviewing gear, and packing. The remaining days are spent in the field on a short backcountry trip learning and practicing the principles of Leave No Trace.
Each course is staffed with a minimum of two highly experienced outdoor professionals who are Master Educator Instructors. You will learn Leave No Trace techniques through skits, discussions, and hands-on activities. To practice Leave No Trace teaching strategies in a supportive, educational environment, each participant will teach a short session geared toward minimum impact Leave No Trace concerns.
Tuition
Tuition for the five-day Master Educator course ranges from $500-$830, depending on the course provider and location. Every participant on a Master Educator course will receive a one-year membership to Leave No Trace.
Partial scholarships are available through the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics. You must be enrolled in an approved Leave No Trace Master Educator course before applying for a scholarship. The Center is unable to award scholarships outside of the U.S. at this time. If you have questions or concerns please contact us.
The 2011 deadline for scholarship applications are April 1 and August 1.
Please submit your application before the deadline closest to your course dates. In some cases, scholarships may be retroactive if your course runs prior to one of the two deadlines. For more information, please email grants or visit:
Online Scholarship Application
Leave No Trace Master Educator Courses 2011
All Leave No Trace Master Educator courses are currently offered by the following approved training institutions:
US Forest Service - Ninemile Wildlands Training Center
Dates | Location | Focus
- May 14-18, 2012 | Huson, Montana | Stock
- June 18-22, 2012 | Gatlinburg, Tennessee | Stock
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- Ninemile specializes in Leave No Trace for stock (horse, mule, etc.) users.
- Call for details on course tuitition.
- Partial course scholarships are available from the Center.
For more information contact:
Ninemile Ranger Station
Ninemile Wildlands Training Center
20325 Remount Road
Huson, MT 59846
Adirondack Mountain Club
Dates | Location | Focus
- Master Educator Courses: $629 (ADK member) $699 (non-member)
- June 25-29, 2012 | NY | Backpacking
- July 27-31, 2012 | NY | Backpacking
- August 11-15, 2012 | NY | Canoe
- September 10-14, 2012 | NY | Backpacking
- Trainer Courses (all weekend dates); $85 ADK member/$95 non-member
- May 19-20, 2012 | Adirondack Park, NY | Backpacking
- July 7-8, 2012 | Adirondack Park, NY | Backpacking
- October 13-14, 2012 | Adirondack Park, NY | Backpacking
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Master Educator Course
- If you have a group of at least 6 people who cannot attend a currently scheduled course, contact ADK about setting up a custom Master course. You pick the dates, location, and help set up logistics, and we’ll offer the course at a discounted rate to your group.
- All courses consist of one classroom day and four days in the backcountry (not overly strenuous but requiring some experience and good health).
- Successful completion of the Master Educator course qualifies you to offer and teach two-day Leave No Trace Trainer courses and Leave No Trace Awareness Workshops.
- Course fee includes instruction, teaching materials, lifetime subscription to the Leave No Trace Tracker, one-year Leave No Trace individual membership, first night’s lodging, all meals, and group camping equipment.
- To register for a course, first complete and submit the Leave No Trace Master Educator Course Application. Once your application is approved, the ADK will contact you to complete your registration.
- Partial course scholarships http://www.lnt.org/training/mastereducator.php are available from the Center.
Trainer Course
- Trainer courses are designed for educators, guides, agency employees, outdoor professionals and others interested in learning about low-impact skills and ethics. Open to the public.
- $85 (ADK member) $95 (non-member); includes instruction, course materials, meals, and use of group gear.
- Participants receive introductory training in Leave No Trace skills and ethics in a condensed two-day format. The Trainer Course assists the student participants in learning more about the seven principles of Leave No Trace and techniques for disseminating these low impact skills. The training includes 16 hours of instruction and overnight camping. As part of the Trainer Course curriculum, participants will also be required to lead a 10-15 minute presentation on one of the Leave No Trace principles. Upon course completion, student participants will be qualified to act as Leave No Trace-recognized Trainers from the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics. Further details will be provided upon registration.
- Clothing and equipment for an overnight backpacking trip; a list will be provided upon registration.
- Contact Ryan Doyle / workshops@adk.org / (518) 523-3480 ext. 19
For more information contact:
Ryan Doyle
Outdoor Leadership Coordinator
Adirondack Mountain Club
PO Box 867
Lake Placid, NY 12946
(518) 523-3480 ext. 19
Appalachian Mountain Club
Dates | Location | Focus
- April 9-13, 2012 | Delaware Water Gap, NJ | Backpacking
- April 30-May 4, 2012 | Berkshires, MA | Backpacking
- May 14-18, 2012 | White Mountains, NH | Backpacking
- June 18-22, 2012 | White Mountains, NH | Backpacking
- July 23-27, 2012 | White Mountains, NH | Backpacking
- September 17-21, 2012 | Lake Umbagog, NH | Canoeing
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- If you have a group of at least 6 people who cannot attend a currently scheduled course, contact AMC about setting up a custom Master course. You pick the dates, location, and help set up logistics, and we’ll offer the course at a discounted rate to your group.
- All courses consist of one classroom day and four days in the backcountry (not overly strenuous but requiring some experience and good health).
- Successful completion of the Master Educator course qualifies you to offer and teach two-day Leave No Trace Trainer courses and Leave No Trace Awareness Workshops.
- Course fee includes instruction, teaching materials, lifetime subscription to the Leave No Trace Tracker, one-year Leave No Trace individual membership, first night’s lodging, all meals, and group camping equipment.
- To register for a course, first complete and submit the Leave No Trace Master Educator Course Application. Once your application is approved, the AMC will contact you to complete your registration.
- Partial course scholarships are available from the Center.
For more information contact:
Alex DeLucia
Appalachian Mountain Club
PO Box 298
Gorham, NH 03581
603-466-2721 ext. 8128
Landmark Learning
Dates | Location | Focus
- March 4-8, 2012 | Cumberland Island Nat'l Seashore | Sea Kayaking
- April 16-20, 2012 | Cullowhee, NC | Backpacking
- June 25-29, 2012 | Cullowhee, NC | Backpacking
- September 17-21, 2012 | Cullowhee, NC | Backpacking
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- Do you have a group of people who would like to schedule their own Leave No Trace Master course? For a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 10, we can arrange a course to fit the specific needs (backpacking, whitewater, frontcountry, etc.) and dates for your group. More than 10 people? We can discuss group rates and logistics, or multiple course discounts.
- Always available: Leave No Trace Trainer courses and Leave No Trace Workshops.
- Course fees include tution, course materials, food, camping and permitting fees, 1-year membership to Leave No Trace and more.
- Partial course scholarships are available from the Center.
For more information contact:
Mairi Padgett
Landmark Learning
828.293.5384
National Outdoor Leadership School
Dates | Location | Focus
- March 1 - 5, 2012 (Location to be decided) | Arizona | Backpacking
- April 29 - May 3, 2012 | Shenandoah National Park, Virginia | Backpacking
- May 7 - 11, 2012 | Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument, Utah | Backpacking
- June 11 - 15, 2012 | Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming | Backpacking
- August 4 - 7, 2012 (Location to be decided) | Minnesota | Frontcountry base camp with day hiking
- August 9 - 13, 2012 | San Juan Islands, Washington | Sea Kayaking
- August 20 - 24, 2012 | Flat Tops Wilderness, Colorado| Backpacking
- November 2 - 6, 2012 | Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona | Backpacking
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- NOLS is the original provider of Leave No Trace Master Educator courses.
- The only provider currently offering 2 hours of college credit from the University of Utah.
- Custom Leave No Trace courses available worldwide.
- Leave No Trace courses can be combined with Wilderness Medicine Institute courses for efficient staff training.
- Capable of running courses in National Parks.
- NOLS will provide food and all group gear (tents and cooking equipment) for the five days of the course.
- Successful completion of the Master Educator course qualifies you to offer and teach two-day Leave No Trace Trainer courses and Leave No Trace Awareness Workshops.
- Partial course scholarships are available from the Center.
If there are no courses offered in your geographic area, NOLS may be able to design a custom or contract course to meet your needs. This can be a great way for organizations to train their staff at substantial cost savings.
For more information contact:
National Outdoor Leadership School
284 Lincoln Street
Lander, WY 82520
1.800.710.NOLS (6657) x 2220
Wilderness Education Association
Dates | Location | Focus
-
January 3-7, 2012
Description: Hosted by Baylor University Outdoor Adventure, this canoeing focused, 5-day Master Educator Course, is sure to be an excellent experience. For more information, please see the informational flyer here
- May 9-13, 2012 | Hoosier National Forest, IN | Backpacking/Canoeing http://www.weainfo.org/en/cev/363
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- All courses consist of one classroom day and four days in the backcountry.
- Successful completion of the Master Educator course qualifies you to offer and teach two-day Leave No Trace Trainer courses and Leave No Trace Awareness Workshops.
- Course fee includes instruction, curriculum and teaching materials/resources, one-year Leave No Trace individual membership, camp fees, all meals, and group camping equipment.
- Partial course scholarships are available from the Center.
- If there are no courses offered in your geographic area, WEA may be able to provide a course through one of our affiliates.
For more information, contact:
Wilderness Education Association
PO Box 4554
Burlington, VT 05406
Phone: 802.448.1191
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