'Leave No Trace' is the official BSA policy. All units are encouraged to learn and practice the LNT principles. Here are some ideas that we find useful.
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LNT Hang Tags:
Download these graphics and make your own handy hang tags to help your Scouts and adult leaders better understand the seven principles of Leave No Trace. Print these 4 to a sheet and have them laminated front to back at your local copy shop for about a dime each.
A folding dishwater screen:
After a meal, everyone should 'sump out' there personal bowls and plates by swishign a bit of hot water in them and then dringing the water. You get more calories, and remove food particles that would end up in the washwater. The same should be done with the cooking utensils. Everything's easier to wash and gets cleanier too (less chance of getting sick on the trail!).
Even with these steps, there will be food particles in the wash water that should not be left in the wilderness. Any food scraps just attract animals and associates people with food. All wash water should be screened to remove food scraps. Trapped food scraps should be packed out with your other trash.
A simple homemade dishwater screen can be cut from old plastic window screen and then duct taped together. The screen is cut in a 10" high 'hour glass' shape about 6" wide at the top & bottom and 3-1/2" wide in the middle. Folded in half, the resulting 'cup' shape is secured at the cut edges with 1/2 width lengths of duct tape. Here's a sketch of the template used to make this screen:
Download a full size (PDF format) template here!
To dispose of dish water, dig a cat hole 200' away from runnign water sources and pour the dish water through the filter into the cat hole. Cover the cat hole and dump any food particles from the filter into your trash bag and pack it out!
Metal window screening works as well, but the plastic screening folds and unfolds very nicely. Store it in a ZIP lock baggie during your trek. Wash it back at home and let it air dry for your next trip.
When the Scouts make these themselves, they treat them well enough that they'll last a season or more.
This page revised September 2, 2007