Boy Scouts of America

The Outdoor Code

The Outdoor Code captures the essence of the Scouting’s Outdoor Ethics and establishes our aspirations and commitment.

As an American, I will do my best to –

  • Be clean in my outdoor manners.
  • Be careful with fire.
  • Be considerate in the outdoors.
  • Be conservation minded.

The BSA first publicized the Outdoor Code in the March 1954 edition of Boys’ Life magazine. It was subsequently included in the Boy Scout Handbook in February 1955, in the 8th printing of the 5th Edition.

More Outdoor Code History

The Outdoor Code has different, age-appropriate, supporting text for the different programs.

Outdoor Code for Scouts BSA

As an American, I will do my best to —

Be clean in my outdoor manners.
I will treat the outdoors as a heritage. I will take care of it for myself and others. I will keep my trash and garbage out of lakes, streams, fields, woods, and roadways.
Be careful with fire.
I will prevent wildfire. I will build my fires only when and where they are permitted and appropriate. When I have finished using a fire, I will make sure it is cold out. I will leave a clean fire ring or remove all evidence of my fire.
Be considerate in the outdoors.
I will treat the land and other land users with respect. I will follow the principles of outdoor ethics for all outdoor activities.
Be conservation-minded.
I will learn about and practice good conservation of soil, waters, forests, minerals, grasslands, wildlife and energy. I will urge others to do the same.
Boy Scout Handbook, 13th Edition, 2016

Outdoor Code for Cub Scouts

As an American, I will do my best to —

Be clean in my outdoor manners.
A Cub Scout takes care of the outdoors and keeps the outdoors clean. A Cub Scout knows that putting marks on buildings, trees, or natural objects causes permanent damage.
Be Careful with fire
A Cub Scout may enjoy a campfire only with adult leaders. A Cub Scout knows not to play with matches and lighters.
Be Considerate in the outdoors.
A Cub Scout shares our outdoor places and treats everything on the land and in the water with respect.
Be Conservation-minded
A Cub Scout works to restore the health of the land so others may enjoy, live, and learn from it as a part of the Web of Life.

Bray Barnes

Director, Global Security Innovative
Strategies

Bray Barnes is a recipient of the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award, Silver
Beaver, Silver Antelope, Silver Buffalo, and Learning for Life Distinguished
Service Award. He received the Messengers of Peace Hero award from
the royal family of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and he’s a life member of
the 101st Airborne Association and Vietnam Veterans Association. Barnes
serves as a senior fellow for the Global Federation of Competitiveness
Councils, a nonpartisan network of corporate CEOs, university presidents, and
national laboratory directors. He has also served as a senior executive for the
U.S. Department of Homeland Security, leading the first-responder program
and has two U.S. presidential appointments

David Alexander

Managing Member Calje

David Alexander is a Baden-Powell Fellow, Summit Bechtel Reserve philanthropist, and recipient of the Silver Buffalo and Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. He is the founder of Caljet, one of the largest independent motor fuels terminals in the U.S. He has served the Arizona Petroleum Marketers Association, Teen Lifeline, and American Heart Association. A triathlete who has completed hundreds of races, Alexander has also mentored the women’s triathlon team at Arizona State University.

Glenn Adams

President, CEO & Managing Director
Stonetex Oil Corp.

Glenn Adams is a recipient of the Silver Beaver, Silver Antelope, Silver Buffalo, and Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. He is the former president of the National Eagle Scout Association and established the Glenn A. and Melinda W. Adams National Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year Award. He has more than 40 years of experience in the oil, gas, and energy fields, including serving as a president, owner, and CEO. Adams has also received multiple service awards from the Texas Alliance of Energy Producers.