Leave No Trace Trainer Course

Thank you for your interest in participating in the Leave No Trace Trainer course. Please read over the following course information carefully before submitting your registration.

This two-day introductory course is designed to develop participant understanding of the seven Principles of Leave No Trace and teach techniques useful for confidently conveying low impact recreation knowledge. The course will be taught by Leave No Trace Master Educator Instructors from the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and will incorporate classroom and outdoor lessons, discussions, demonstrations, and group activities. Participants will develop a firm understanding of the resource and social impacts facing recreation areas today and leave with a better understanding of how to begin to address these impacts. Upon completion of the course, participants will be qualified to teach Leave No Trace Awareness workshops.

Register

Schedule and Location

This course will be held September 15 and 16, 2022 at the Rushton Conservation Center located at 915 Delchester Rd, Newtown Square, PA 19703 [map it].  The entrance to the center is located next to the white farmhouse.  Parking is limited, so please park only in the designated areas, including the gravel parking lot. If you would be interested in carpooling, please contact [email protected].

Day 1: Thursday, September 15
Start Time: 9am
End Time: 5pm

Day 2: Friday, September 16
Start Time: 9am
End Time: 5pm

Participants should arrive at the Rushton Conservation Center by 8:30 am to allow participants time to get situated prior to the course start. Training will begin promptly at 9 am and conclude by 5 pm each day.

Please Note: Overnight camping will not be a part of this Leave No Trace experience. Participants who need overnight accommodations will need to make their own arrangements.

What To Bring:

  • Remember to prepare for the worst weather and, more than likely, you’ll be quite comfortable. In the case of particularly inclement weather, we will remain mostly indoors, but some group activities are best performed outdoors, so raincoats are recommended. When packing clothing for the course, think in terms of a laying system which includes moisture-wicking skin layers, warmth-holding insulating layers and wind/water-proof shell layers.
  • Please bring a notebook and writing utensil for your personal use, sturdy footwear, a comfortable outdoor seating option, and any personal medications you would typically bring with you in the outdoors.
  • The Appalachian Trail Conservancy will supply all group gear and equipment necessary for Leave No Trace activities and demonstrations.

Curriculum

The Leave No Trace Trainer course emphasizes the skills and techniques essential to Leave No Trace minimum impact outdoor recreation practices and education. A Leave No Trace Trainer course includes a minimum of sixteen hours, ten of which are required to take place outdoors. Leave No Trace courses do not teach basic hiking, camping, or other outdoor skills, nor do they provide an outdoor instructor certification.

Core Components of the Trainer Course Curriculum

  1. Review of Leave No Trace mission, history, and need.
  2. Review of ATC’s role as a Leave No Trace Master Educator course provider.
  3. Discussion of the Leave No Trace Trainer concept and training guidelines.
  4. Discussion of Leave No Trace teaching skills, techniques, and student learning styles.
  5. Discussion and practice of the principles and ethics of Leave No Trace.
  6. Overview of recreation ecology and types of resource and social impacts.
  7. Focus on interactive and hands-on outdoor activities.

 

Environment and Safety

We will be utilizing the indoor and outdoor areas of the Rushton Conservation Center property throughout the course. We may be walking/hiking short distances each day, allowing for plenty of time to cover course materials on route. Please come prepared with appropriate footwear for outdoor use. Small packable camping chairs or sitting pads are recommended for outdoor classroom use, as well as a personal daypack. We hope we will have mild and sunny weather but please come prepared for rain and cold.

Participant safety is the high priority. Procedures and policies have been developed by Appalachian Trail Conservancy to limit participant risk. Participants are expected to work with instructors to reduce risks and make the experience successful for all. In case of an emergency, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy instructors are trained in wilderness first aid, carry first aid kits, and follow a comprehensive Emergency Action Plan. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy uses radios or other communication devices – although these are not reliable in all locations and conditions. Despite such steps, participants should be aware that there are risks associated with outdoor adventure activities, including but not limited to cooking and camping chores, adverse weather, and environmental conditions. Participants’ understanding of these risks and adherence to our policies and procedures can contribute to making this experience extremely rewarding.

Please come prepared with a mask for indoor use. We will assess current COVID-19 levels, risk, and PPE recommendations before the course and determine whether masking, temperature readings, and/or testing would be prudent for participants.

Lodging Suggestions

Overnight camping will not be a part of this Leave No Trace experience. Participants who need overnight accommodations will need to make their own arrangements.

Camping
On-your-own camping may be available at French Creek State Park, located approximately 1 hour from Rushton Conservation Center.

For availability and reservations, visit: https://pennsylvaniastateparks.reserveamerica.com/unifSearchResults.do

Hotels
The following hotels are located nearby to Rushton Conservation Center:

Hilton Garden Inn, Newtown Square Radnor (9 minutes)
3743 West Chester Pike
Newtown Square, PA 19073 (484) 420-7500 | Website

Sheraton Great Valley Hotel (15 minutes)
707 East Lancaster Avenue
Frazer, PA 19355 (610) 524-5500 | Website

Hampton Inn Philadelphia/Great Valley/Malvern (15 minutes)
635 Lancaster Ave
Frazer, PA 19355 (610) 699-1300 | Website