The four points
- Be clean in my outdoor manners. Treat the outdoors as a heritage to care for, and keep trash out of lakes, streams, fields, woods, and roadways.
- Be careful with fire. Prevent wildfire; build fires only when and where they're permitted and appropriate; make sure a fire is cold out; and leave a clean ring or remove all evidence.
- Be considerate in the outdoors. Treat the land and other users with respect, and follow the principles of outdoor ethics (Leave No Trace) in all activities.
- Be conservation-minded. Learn about and practice good conservation of soil, water, forests, minerals, grasslands, wildlife, and energy — and encourage others to do the same.
First publicized in 1954. The Code has age-appropriate supporting text for Cub Scouts and Scouts BSA — the same four points. (The full pledge wording is Scouting America's; read it on the official page.)
When to use it
- The values foundation for all Scout outdoor activity and the Outdoor Ethics Award.
- Rank requirements — scouts recite and explain the Outdoor Code.
- Pairing with Leave No Trace — the Code (why) plus the seven principles (how).
Common mistakes & safety
- "Be careful with fire" is a wildfire-safety commitment. Prevent wildfire, fires only where appropriate, and cold out every time.
- "Be clean" protects water and health. Keeping trash and waste out of lakes and streams prevents contamination and disease.
- "Be considerate" keeps everyone safe and welcome. Respecting other users and the land avoids conflicts and hazards.
- The Code is a personal commitment. Its power is that each scout individually pledges to act — which is what makes the outdoors safe and clean at scale.
Going deeper
- The Code is the "why," Leave No Trace is the "how." Four values plus seven practical principles = Scouting's complete outdoor ethic.
- The four C's. Clean, careful (fire), considerate, conservation — easy to remember.
- It's a pledge, not a poster. The Outdoor Code is written in the first person ("I will…") because it's a personal commitment each scout makes.
Official source
The Outdoor Code — Scouting America →The exact pledge wording is Scouting America's — described here in our own words. Recite the full Code from the official page.