National Youth Leadership Training

NYLT is an exciting, fun, action-packed program designed to provide all 13 through 20 year old youth members of the BSA with leadership skills and experience they can use in their home units and in other situations demanding leadership
of self and others. NYLT is ideal for Scouts currently holding leadership positions in their unit or those who soon will. For many years, junior leader training (JLT) was an important part of the leadership training continuum of BSA local councils throughout America. In 2003 and 2004, a task force of leadership experts and hundreds of Boy Scouts in pilot
courses across the nation reviewed and tested every aspect of the new NYLT course designed to replace JLT. NYLT incorporates the latest leadership ideas and presents fresh, vital, and meaningful training for today‟s Scouts. It soon became the “gold standard‟.

In 2009 and 2010 the NYLT program was updated to include male and female Venturing participants in addition to Boy Scouts. Why was this change made? Because the mission of the BSA is to young people and the vision is to prepare every eligible youth in America to become the best leader he or she can be. The color of a green or a tan shirt is irrelevant—all of the youth in each of the programs deserves as much age appropriate, quality leadership training as possible. Since NYLT will now serve both Boy Scouts and Venturers, it is important the course is presented in a way that places
both programs on an equal footing. The format is no longer formally based on the Boy Scout Troop as a model, but will suit any leadership team. The Troop will now be called a Group and the Patrol will be known as a Team.

Course Description

The NYLT course centers around the concepts of what a leader must BE, what he must KNOW, and what he must DO. The key elements are then taught with a clear focus on HOW TO. The skills come alive during the week as the participants go on a Quest for the Meaning of Leadership, which the Teams individually present to the entire Group. NYLT is a 6-day course. Content is delivered in Group and Team outdoor settings with an emphasis on immediate
application of learning in a fun environment. Interconnecting concepts and work processes are introduced early, built upon, and enhanced by the use of memory aids, which allows participants to understand and employ the leadership skills much faster.
Built on the legacy of past JLT successes, NYLT integrates the best of modern leadership theory with the historic strengths of the Scouting experience. Many JLT traditions continue, however, they are aligned with the NYLT philosophy. Through activities, presentations, challenges, discussions, and audio-visual support, NYLT participants will be engaged in a unified approach to leadership that will give them the skills and confidence to lead well. Through a wide range of activities, games, and adventures, participants will work and have fun together as they put into action the best Scouting has to offer.

The NYLT course is set up to represent an activity cycle in the life of a typical Scouting unit. This could be a month in the life of a troop or a series of meetings in a Venturing Crew leading up to an activity or campout. The first 3 days of the course represent the planning stages, complete with 3 model unit meetings, an instructional leadership meeting in the round, an instructional campfire, and planning for the activity. The EDGE method, Explanation, Demonstration, and Guided practice to create an Enabled, productive unit program is used throughout the course. Leadership Council meetings and Team operating sessions occur daily after the demonstration meeting. Participants use the full range of BSA resources for planning and conducting meetings that are interesting, lively, and relevant—a skill they can incorporate with great effect when they return to their home units. NYLT participants put their preparations to the test with a NYLT Outpost Camp symbolizing the big event that culminates a typical unit‟s activity cycle program.

During a NYLT course, participants find themselves going through the four stages of team development—Forming, Storming, Norming, and Performing—that all groups experience when brought together for a purpose. Their challenges eighten the team development process, enabling them to use their awareness of the stages to build a highly effective team that can reach its full potential. Along the way they also enjoy much Scouting fellowship and fun. NYLT participants discover that leading themselves and leading others requires a vision—a picture of future success. Each team will develop a vision for the course, and each participant will prepare his or her own vision. A constant refrain of NYLT is “If you can see it, you can be it.” Through presentations and positive experiences in goal setting, planning, and problem solving, participants learn how to set a clear course toward realizing their team and individual visions, and then how to put themselves in the center of those pictures of future success. Several NYLT presentations are designed to give participants a toolbox of effective leadership skills they can make their own. Added to the idea of developing a vision, the skills in the toolbox form the NYLT Memory Tips—a short list that encompasses the key course concepts.

The youth and adult staff members of a NYLT course are charged with providing participants with the best possible opportunity to learn effective leadership skills in a setting where the highest ideals of Scouting shine through. Essential to that effort is the fact that staff members use NYLT leadership skills, philosophies and the concept of servant leadership themselves. This provides staff members with an extremely effective means of sharing skills, leading teams and conveying the NYLT message.

Every NYLT course operates according to Scouting ideals—those of Boy Scouting and Venturing. Each participant and staff member is welcomed, appreciated, and valued. There is no room for hazing, sexual innuendos, or for any activities that do not add to a positive learning experience for everyone. Anytime you bring together 30 teenage youth for an intensive 6-day learning experience there is a potential for problems. As with all Scouting programs, being prepared is the key to minimizing problems and to addressing them effectively when they do occur. The BSA teaches us to manage risk and the NYLT course is no different. Venturing Youth Protection rules and The Guide to Safe Scouting will be followed. A zero tolerance policy for any infraction will be communicated and enforced for any potential problem issue, be it youth protection, drugs, alcohol, or weapons.

Requirements for Attendance

It is suggested, but not required, that unit leaders only register Scouts for the course who have completed at least 1 longterm camping experience. Participants will live and work in an outdoor setting throughout the course and will prepare many of their own meals with their Team.
Participants must be 13 years old or have completed 7th grade and have their unit leader’s approval to attend. Boy Scout participants must be at least 1st class rank.

Course Cost

The cost of the course is $180 per participant. A $50 down payment per participant is due when the registration form is submitted. The down payment is transferable, but not refundable after June 1, 2013. Full payment is due by June 1, 2013.

Equipment Needed
A complete equipment list will be mailed to each participant registered. However, they should plan on bringing a tent, ground cloth, sleeping bag and rain gear. A complete Class A uniform is required for each participant. A NYLT T-shirt will be furnished to each participant to wear when Class A uniforms are not required.