From September 14-18, 2015, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) will run a Leave No Trace master educator course exclusively for AT clubs and agency partners. Through practical application in a field-based setting, this in-depth master educator course provides participants with a comprehensive training in Leave No Trace skills and ethics.
During the 5-day course, participants will learn the “why” behind the 7 Principles of Leave No Trace, how to practice effective and engaging methods of teaching the Principles, and explore their personal backcountry ethics among fellow outdoor professionals and AT stewards. Graduates will be Leave No Trace master educators. In addition, they will be qualified to lead Leave No Trace trainer courses and awareness workshops.
The course begins and ends at the Potomac AT Club’s Blackburn Trail Center and includes 3 nights of camping along the AT in scenic northern Virginia. The course will be led by ATC New England Regional Director, Hawk Metheny, and ATC Northern Resource Manager, Marian Orlousky.
Because 2015 is the ATC’s first year as a Leave No Trace master educator course provider, it can offer this course at a steep discount. ATC and agency partners can enroll for $400, which is less than half the cost of the average master educator course. For more information regarding this and other Leave No Trace training opportunities with the ATC, please contact Marian Orlousky at morlousky@appalachiantrail.org.