At just 7 years old, Ellie Wilson from Colorado Springs, CO is already making a meaningful impact in outdoor education. As part of her Brownie Girl Scout Outdoor Journey, Ellie was challenged to develop a Take Action Project — a task that encourages young scouts to create meaningful solutions that help make the world a better place.
Inspired by her many hikes in local, state, and national parks, Ellie came up with a creative solution focused on teaching responsible recreation and environmental stewardship: an educational board game that teaches the 7 Principles of Leave No Trace in a fun and interactive way.
The game takes players on a trail from trailhead to summit, where they face different scenarios that test their knowledge of outdoor skills and ethics. Players advance by making responsible choices and learn from situations where Leave No Trace practices are not followed.
“I wanted to make something fun that helps other kids understand how to take care of nature,” Ellie shared. “It’s important to know how to protect the places we love so everyone can enjoy them.”
Leave No Trace’s Director of Education, JD Tanner, shared his thoughts on Ellie’s creative project:
“It’s incredible to see young leaders like Ellie take the initiative in sharing Leave No Trace principles in such creative ways. Her board game is not only a fun and engaging way to learn about responsible outdoor ethics, but it also empowers others to make a positive impact. This kind of innovation and dedication is exactly what will help ensure a sustainable future for our natural spaces.”
Ellie and her mom, Kelsey, reached out to us to share her creation in hopes that it might inspire others and become a resource for more young adventurers and youth educators. “The game features a colorful board, thoughtful scenarios, and easy-to-follow instructions — all designed to help kids understand how their actions affect the natural world,” said Kelsey. “Her creation has the potential to be a valuable tool for other Girl Scout troops, youth organizations, and anyone teaching kids about Leave No Trace outdoor ethics,” — and we are so proud of her work!
Ellie’s creativity and passion for protecting the outdoors embody the spirit of the Leave No Trace movement, showcasing how even small individual actions can create a powerful ripple effect of positive change.
We’re so impressed by Ellie’s work that we’re exploring ways to make her game an official Leave No Trace resource for our youth educators. Ellie’s game is a shining example of how young leaders are stepping up to protect the outdoors for future generations. Way to go, Ellie!
