Outdoor Leadership Curriculum Project

Hand sign to help you remember LNT Principle 1: Plan Ahead and Prepare

Trip Preparation

• 1. Find out about the place you want to visit, for example, the weather, opening hours, road conditions, regulations, and if there is an entrance fee. Consider having another option in case the place is closed or difficult to access. For example, is the access road closed during the winter?
  2. Check the weather. Will it be hot? Will it rain? Will it be cold? Is the weather going to change at different parts of the trip? It is important to know what clothes to wear and what to pack. For example, in the spring or in the fall if you are hiking a mountain in shorts, a tee-shirt, and sneakers may be appropriate at the base but there could still be snow or cold conditions requiring more layers in the higher elevations.
  3. Check your equipment and verify if it’s the right one for the activity you will be doing. For example, if you will be hiking or camping. 
  4. Prepare your vehicle and be sure to bring a tool kit. We recommend bringing a flashlight, shovel, jack, spare tire, chains, etc. For example, rough access roads can easily lead to a popped tire and not having the proper tools to fix such an issue could leave you stranded in a remote location which could have questionable phone service meaning a small issue could become a large issue.
  5. Take garbage bags with you, likely, you will not find cans and you will have to take the garbage with you and deposit it in another place. For example, If you are traveling in a wilderness zone then you won’t find anywhere to dispose of trash.
  6. Bring enough food, coffee, and water. Use thermos, cutlery, and reusable containers to avoid carrying things that could be thrown away on the way. For example, instead of bringing a box of bars, put the bars in a plastic bag.
  7. If you take your pets don’t forget their leash and bags to collect their waste. For example, if you’re walking your dog and it defecates make sure to clean up after it and pack out the waste to a trash can.
  8. Tell your family or friends you will be away and the day and time you plan to return. Make sure you have a way to communicate based on where you’re visiting.

The 10 essentials

• 1. Compass, map, and GPS.
  2. Sunscreen protection.
  3. Extra clothes.
  4. Illumination.
  5. First aid kit.
  6. Lighter, Matches, candles, etc.
  7. Repair kit and tools.
  8. Extra food.
  9. Water.
  10. Emergency shelter.