The Appalachian Mountain Club is a provider of Leave No Trace Master Educator courses in partnership with the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics. Master Educator courses are typically five days in length and designed for people who are actively teaching others backcountry skills or providing recreation information to the public.
The AMC Master Educator course schedule is availabe on-line.
Course Description
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 takes place in a classroom and introduces the course agenda and provides in-depth information on the overall Leave No Trace program, the LNT Center for Outdoor Ethics, and the AMC’s history with LNT educational initiatives. Group and individual preparations for the field component of the course are also tended to on the first day. The remaining four days take place on a short backpacking or canoeing trip learning and applying the principles of Leave No Trace and discussing wildland ethics.
Each course is staffed with a minimum of two highly experienced outdoor professionals who are Master Educator Instructors. Leave No Trace techniques are learned through discussions and hands-on activities. Course participants will also lead a short session focused on one of the Seven Principles of Leave No Trace to practice teaching strategies in a supportive, educational environment.
Participants include a mixture of federal agency partners, educators, outdoor retailers, youth group and outing club leaders, and other individuals. Upon successful completion of the course, you will be qualified to teach Leave No Trace Trainer courses. The Leave No Trace Master Educator qualification is recognized and valued throughout the outdoor industry and by land management agencies. As of October 2008, AMC has trained over 340 Master Educators throughout the Northeast.
Tuition for AMC members is $629 (non-members $699) and includes: meals, first night lodging, instruction, group equipment, transportation, curriculum materials, and a one- year membership with the Leave No Trace Center. Participants are responsible for travel to and from the course starting location, and for lodging the night before the course and the night after if applicable.
If you have a group of 6 to 8 individuals who are interested in being trained as LNT Master Educators contact AMC’s Leave No Trace Coordinator about creating a Custom Master Educator course at a reduced tuition rate. We would ask you to recruit participants, and to provide a meeting space, transportation, some gear and/or food, and other logistical support. AMC would provide the curriculum and instruction, LNT educational materials, and possibly some gear or food. Please contact Hawk Metheny at 603-466-2721 x8115 or amclnt@outdoors.org for more information.
Leave No Trace Course Scholarship Application
Partial scholarships are available through Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics. Call 1-800-332-4100 or find the scholarship application on-line. To be eligible, applicants must be enrolled in an approved Leave No Trace Master Educator course prior to submitting the scholarship application.
