Educational Programs
Pikes Peak Leave No Trace takes education out of the classroom and into Colorado's mountains, foothills, grasslands, caves and streams to create hands-on learning experiences in real outdoor settings. Participants learn, teach and understand the principles of LNT by being an active part of the natural world around them!
Courses focus on developing emotional connections with the land and natural ecosystem processes in order to:
Leave No Trace Trainer Course
Trainer courses are designed for educators, guides, agency employees, and other outdoor professionals. Successful graduates of the Trainer Course gain the skills to teach Leave No Trace techniques and ethics to their clients, friends and family. Participants learn the concepts of Leave No Trace and prepare to teach Leave No Trace curriculum in a variety of settings-schools, camps, parks, wilderness and front country areas. Workshop topics include the underlying ethics and seven principles of Leave No Trace:
Trainer course participants will spend 16 contact hours in the outdoor classroom hiking, participating in and leading discussions, and developing their own 10-15 minute teaching module based on one of the Seven Principles, which they will present to the group.
To download a copy of the LNT Trainer Course Guidelines, click here.
Some Trainer courses may require overnight tent camping in areas with few or no facilities. Participants are expected to possess a basic knowledge of backcountry hiking and backpacking skills, and be able to provide their own equipment. LNT courses do not teach basic camping skills. Please emailkristen@pikespeakleavenotrace.org with any questions!
Upon successful completion, each participant will be registered as a Trainer with the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics in Boulder, Colorado, and will receive a certificate and Trainer patch or lapel pin. Trainers may then host Awareness Workshops and other educational outreach programs as approved by the Center.
Cost: Costs vary based on location, schedule and materials, but begin at $75 per participant.
Leave No Trace Awareness Workshops
Awareness workshops are designed for educators, children, college students, Girl Scouts, outdoor professionals, Boy Scouts, hiking club members... anyone who is interested in learning more about Leave No Trace skills and ethics.
An Awareness Workshop can be one hour, several hours, or one day in length. It provides an overview of the Leave No Trace program, and can be tailored to the needs of your group or organization. Do you have a mixed-age audience with young children? Are you already an experienced mountaineer, or a casual camper? Would you like to learn about one specific principle, or are you interested in how Leave No Trace applies to your business model? Awareness Workshops are designed to be flexible. Attendees will leave with a better understanding of their own wilderness ethic, and how they can apply the principles of Leave No Trace to their own situation or organization.
Awareness Workshops can be held inside, outside, or both. If attending an outdoor workshop, please come prepared for all weather conditions, and remember to bring water and a snack!
Upon successful completion, each participant will be registered as having completed an Awareness Workshop with the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics in Boulder, Colorado, and will receive a certificate.
Cost: Costs vary based on location, schedule and materials, but begin at $12 per participant.
Be A Naturalist -- Kids ages 5-12
Is that just dirt beneath your feet, or is it another universe? Is that just a dead tree, or is it a wild animal hotel? And who knows what goes bump in the night… From bats to bears, naturalists have the inside scoop on what’s going on in the woods thanks to their ability to observe and interpret natural clues. Use your detective skills to read wild animal signs, identify native plants, and understand how and why things grow where they do!
Our most popular children’s program takes kids on an easy educational hike in some of our most beautiful and interesting local wildlands. Programs are tailored to fit any age or ability, but are best suited to children ages 5-12 who are able to walk at least ¼ to ½ mile outdoors. All PPLNT instructors are currently certified in adult and child CPR, First Aid, Wilderness First Aid, and have extensive backgrounds in educating children of all ages. At least one parent or adult chaperones per 5 children and must be in attendance and are free of charge!*
Let us make your child’s birthday, homeschool outing, class trip or reward party into an outdoor adventure!
Cost: Varies on location and length, but begins at $7 per child, minimum of 10 (call us, we’ll work with you). *One free adult for every 5 paid kids.
Local Ecology Adventures -- All ages and abilities
How much do you know about your own backyard? Here at the base of the Rocky Mountains we are blessed with a rich diversity of plant and animal life, mixed ecosystems, and dynamic landscapes that change before our very eyes. The connections between everything from fir trees to foxes teach us that we all have a role to play in our natural world… we just have to do a little investigating to find out what that role is!
Join PPLNT for a walk, hike, or overnight camping trip tailored to your group’s interests and level of experience. You pick the location, or let us lead you through one of many beautiful local open spaces! You’ll come away with a new understanding of local ecology, an eye for plant and animal life, and some great memories of a fun, relaxing day. You provide your own personal gear, we’ll provide an exciting experience in the great outdoors!
Cost: Varies on location and length, but begins at $7 per child, minimum of 10 (call us, we’ll work with you). *One free adult for every 5 paid kids.
Leave No Trace programs follow the national standards set by the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics in Boulder, CO. For more information, visit http://www.lnt.org.
Courses focus on developing emotional connections with the land and natural ecosystem processes in order to:
- provide effective "learning-by-doing" curriculum
- improve subject matter retention
- help participants identify and understand their own personal wilderness ethic
- give participants the opportunity to practice LNT principles and skills in all types of settings and weather conditions to prepare them for their own adventures!
Course Descriptions
Leave No Trace Trainer Course
Trainer courses are designed for educators, guides, agency employees, and other outdoor professionals. Successful graduates of the Trainer Course gain the skills to teach Leave No Trace techniques and ethics to their clients, friends and family. Participants learn the concepts of Leave No Trace and prepare to teach Leave No Trace curriculum in a variety of settings-schools, camps, parks, wilderness and front country areas. Workshop topics include the underlying ethics and seven principles of Leave No Trace:
- Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
- Dispose of Waste Properly
- Leave What You Find
- Minimize Campfire Impacts
- Respect Wildlife
- Be Considerate of Other Visitors
Trainer course participants will spend 16 contact hours in the outdoor classroom hiking, participating in and leading discussions, and developing their own 10-15 minute teaching module based on one of the Seven Principles, which they will present to the group.To download a copy of the LNT Trainer Course Guidelines, click here.
Some Trainer courses may require overnight tent camping in areas with few or no facilities. Participants are expected to possess a basic knowledge of backcountry hiking and backpacking skills, and be able to provide their own equipment. LNT courses do not teach basic camping skills. Please emailkristen@pikespeakleavenotrace.org with any questions!
Upon successful completion, each participant will be registered as a Trainer with the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics in Boulder, Colorado, and will receive a certificate and Trainer patch or lapel pin. Trainers may then host Awareness Workshops and other educational outreach programs as approved by the Center.
Cost: Costs vary based on location, schedule and materials, but begin at $75 per participant.
Leave No Trace Awareness Workshops
Awareness workshops are designed for educators, children, college students, Girl Scouts, outdoor professionals, Boy Scouts, hiking club members... anyone who is interested in learning more about Leave No Trace skills and ethics.
An Awareness Workshop can be one hour, several hours, or one day in length. It provides an overview of the Leave No Trace program, and can be tailored to the needs of your group or organization. Do you have a mixed-age audience with young children? Are you already an experienced mountaineer, or a casual camper? Would you like to learn about one specific principle, or are you interested in how Leave No Trace applies to your business model? Awareness Workshops are designed to be flexible. Attendees will leave with a better understanding of their own wilderness ethic, and how they can apply the principles of Leave No Trace to their own situation or organization. Awareness Workshops can be held inside, outside, or both. If attending an outdoor workshop, please come prepared for all weather conditions, and remember to bring water and a snack!
Upon successful completion, each participant will be registered as having completed an Awareness Workshop with the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics in Boulder, Colorado, and will receive a certificate.
Cost: Costs vary based on location, schedule and materials, but begin at $12 per participant.
Be A Naturalist -- Kids ages 5-12
Is that just dirt beneath your feet, or is it another universe? Is that just a dead tree, or is it a wild animal hotel? And who knows what goes bump in the night… From bats to bears, naturalists have the inside scoop on what’s going on in the woods thanks to their ability to observe and interpret natural clues. Use your detective skills to read wild animal signs, identify native plants, and understand how and why things grow where they do!Our most popular children’s program takes kids on an easy educational hike in some of our most beautiful and interesting local wildlands. Programs are tailored to fit any age or ability, but are best suited to children ages 5-12 who are able to walk at least ¼ to ½ mile outdoors. All PPLNT instructors are currently certified in adult and child CPR, First Aid, Wilderness First Aid, and have extensive backgrounds in educating children of all ages. At least one parent or adult chaperones per 5 children and must be in attendance and are free of charge!*
Let us make your child’s birthday, homeschool outing, class trip or reward party into an outdoor adventure!
Cost: Varies on location and length, but begins at $7 per child, minimum of 10 (call us, we’ll work with you). *One free adult for every 5 paid kids.
Local Ecology Adventures -- All ages and abilities
How much do you know about your own backyard? Here at the base of the Rocky Mountains we are blessed with a rich diversity of plant and animal life, mixed ecosystems, and dynamic landscapes that change before our very eyes. The connections between everything from fir trees to foxes teach us that we all have a role to play in our natural world… we just have to do a little investigating to find out what that role is!
Join PPLNT for a walk, hike, or overnight camping trip tailored to your group’s interests and level of experience. You pick the location, or let us lead you through one of many beautiful local open spaces! You’ll come away with a new understanding of local ecology, an eye for plant and animal life, and some great memories of a fun, relaxing day. You provide your own personal gear, we’ll provide an exciting experience in the great outdoors!Cost: Varies on location and length, but begins at $7 per child, minimum of 10 (call us, we’ll work with you). *One free adult for every 5 paid kids.
Leave No Trace programs follow the national standards set by the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics in Boulder, CO. For more information, visit http://www.lnt.org.