Leave No Trace Level One Instructor Certification

Keystone Trails Association works to provide, protect, preserve, and promote recreational hiking trails and hiking opportunities in Pennsylvania. This training is geared toward hiking enthusiasts, trail maintainers, outdoor educators, and those working to preserve public and private lands for recreational use.  

Most of the course will take place outside. This course will include hands-on instruction, a grounding in how to practice Leave No Trace as an individual, and skills to teach Leave No Trace to a broader audience.  

During the course, you will get a chance to lead a pre-assigned lesson to let you test the water of teaching Leave No Trace to others. Full attendance is required to receive certification. Plan for two hours of coursework before arriving in person. After the course, you will be equipped to:

• Teach low-impact methods for recreating outside
• Lead conversations on outdoor ethics and work with others to discern their outdoor ethics
• Run Leave No Trace Awareness Workshops
• Co-lead Leave No Trace Level One Trainings with a certified Level Two instructor

Dates & Location:

• July 29- 9am-5:30pm & July 30- 8am-5pm
• Stone Valley Recreation Area (near Penn State, Centre County, PA)
  10266 Lodge Lane
  Petersburg, PA 16669

Required Materials:

• Notebook
• Dress for the weather
• Day hiking items (a list will be emailed to participants)
• Reusable water bottle
• Bring your own meals (a fridge is available at the classroom for dinner & breakfast foods, but plan to have lunch on trail)
• Leave No Trace Level 1 Course Packet (participants will receive on site)

Training Cost*:

• $225 KTA Volunteers
• $250 KTA Members
• $275 General Public

*Become a member here, and save on this training.  

Lodging Options*:
Cabins are one room. Restroom facilities are central to the cabins. Bring your own linens and towels. If arriving the first day of training, plan to check into your room once training wraps up. Check-out is at 10am. Rates below are per person.

• Bring your own tent- $10/night
• Solo cabin with AC, fridge, microwave, and outside grill- $100/night
• Double occupancy cabin with AC, fridge, microwave, and outside grill- $50/night
• Triple occupancy cabin with AC, fridge, microwave, and outside grill- $35/night
• Solo cabin with no power- $15/night
• Double occupancy cabin with no power- $10/night

*If you also are attending Wilderness First Aid training and need lodging on Tuesday night before Leave No Trace, contact Kate Prisby at: prisby@kta-hike.org. 

Cancellation, Deadlines, & Refund Policy
The course is capped at 12 participants; if your plans change, please let us know immediately so we can move someone off the waitlist. The last day to register is July 14. The last day to request a refund is July 10.  

General training questions can be directed to Kate Prisby, Manager of Events & Programs, at: prisby@kta-hike.org.