Created by the BSA, the Outdoor Code defines outdoor ethics for Scouts:

As an American, I will do my best to –

Be clean in my outdoor manners.

Be careful with fire.

Be considerate in the outdoors.

Be conservation-minded.

What does "Be clean in my outdoor manners" mean exactly? It's not saying "yes ma'am" and "no sir" to all the trees at camp or in your yard. If we are not careful, we can easily harm our environment by not minding our manners. As defined in the Scouts BSA handbook, that line means, "I will treat the outdoors as a heritage. I will take care of it for myself and others. I will keep my trash out of lakes, streams, fields, woods, and roadways." Dialing in on that, a few practices can keep you toeing that manner line.

1. Camping: Pack out your garbage. This is a familiar concept, but it is worth repeatedly repeating since it is essential! Yes, that gum wrapper makes a difference because imagine every single person who decides to go camping leaves one gum wrapper. Suddenly your wilderness areas have turned into trash pits. Stay integrity by doing the right thing and pick up every last thing you brought in with you (or you come across on the trail) and pack it out.
2. Camping: Camp at least 200 feet away from the shores of waterways. This allows for access routes for wildlife. This goes hand-in-hand with the following bullet on this list, but preserve our water sources and help keep them clean and pure by putting some space between your campsite and water.
3. Camping: Dispose of waste properly. The Leave No Trace Principles suggest digging a cat hole about 6-8 inches deep, burying waste, and packing out toilet paper. Again, you should be at least 200 feet (70-75 adult paces) away from water. This will help keep the water free from contamination, including bacteria and viruses found in waste. Always check park and area-specific guidelines, as each area can have specific rules depending on environmental needs.
4. Home: Be wary of fertilizers. Pay attention to where you live! If you live on the water, you should steer clear of heavy-duty pesticides (and insecticides). Currently, the pesticides and synthetic organic compound concentrations found in water are not high enough to affect our health, but as Scouts (and earth-conscious human beings), it is our job to keep standards high. Reduce pesticides, especially around water sources or shallow water tables! Do your research on insecticides as well – not all bugs are nasty.
5. Home: Pay attention to native plants and terrain. Try and keep your landscaping limited to what is natural for the environment in which you live. An easy example would be avoiding luscious planting grass in your yard in Phoenix, Arizona, so you don't waste a bunch of water trying to keep it alive. Kind of a no-brainer, but it is easy to get sucked into grabbing that gorgeous plant that you spot in your local home improvement store! Another call-out around this would be to pay attention that you don't plant something that will compete with your native plants (and then take over). For example, the Autumn Olive plant was sold as a decorative plant that was easy to grow and was used to restore deforested and degraded lands. Still, it is a highly invasive species that takes over and displaces native fauna. So, in a nutshell, do your research about landscaping your yard.

Public land and wilderness use increase yearly as more people discover the intrinsic value of disconnecting to get outside and enjoy this beautiful planet. Our job is to continue striving to set an example and live to the highest standards regarding outdoor ethics. The safety of our beloved untamed lands depends on it! For camping and hiking gear, visit ScoutShop.org—the official online retail store of the BSA!