A send-off for youth education

The Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics is excited to send off the first-ever Leave No Trace Colorado Tour on September 2nd. The Colorado Tour program will reach a diverse group of young people to encourage outdoor recreation and, most importantly, teach them how to enjoy the outdoors responsibly. Over the next several weeks the Colorado Tour will run 20 educational events training for over 2,000 kids in Leave No Trace outdoor skills and ethics, leaving more than 100,000 impressions on the future stewards of our public lands.

We launched this tour in order to connect an age group with the great outdoors at a time when they need it most. Research indicates that a child who is exposed to outdoor activities and is taught to care for the outdoors at a young age will retain those values throughout their lifetime.

Our Colorado Tour Team happens to be two very experienced individuals. Barrett Kennedy and Peggy Reily are back for their second year with Leave No Trace. In 2010 Barrett and Peggy spent 4 months on the road as the e-tour team traveling through 21 states conducting over 50 workshops to more than 15,000 individuals.

This fall Barrett and Peggy will be running several types of educational sessions including:

· Kids Clinics to teach youth through discussion, activities, skits and slideshows

· Campfire Talks at state and national parks designed to get kids learning about environmental issues in a social setting

· Service projects such as clean ups in local parks, as well as working with youth at local nature centers, boys and girls clubs, and other after school youth programs

· “Train the Trainer” style workshops designed for teachers, guides, agency employees, youth serving organizations and a variety of other outdoor leaders and educators

Special thanks goes to Xcel Energy, New Belgium Brewing Company and Leave No Trace members for providing the support of this traveling tour.

Check out the 2011 Colorado Tour Schedule-