National Youth Leadership Training

National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) is an exciting, action-packed six-day council-level program designed to provide Scouts in troops, crews and ships with leadership skills and experience they can use in their home units and in other situations demanding leadership of self and others. 

Unit leaders have the primary responsibility for training their youth leaders. The first step in the BSA youth leadership training continuum is conducted in the home unit (Introduction to Leadership Skills). Scouts who have completed this training may attend. NYLT is held twice a year in December and June.

NYLT is filled with activities, presentations, challenges, discussions, and camping in a team and model unit environment. Participants learn and practice skills that are valuable at home, church, school, work and the Scouting unit.

The course is designed for Scouts BSA members who are at least 13 years old, and for Venturers or Sea Scouts who are at least 13 years old and have completed eighth grade. Since a Scout only takes this course once, it is critical for the youth to get the maximum benefit from this experience; therefore, it is essential that they be able to handle the demands of this advanced course, which requires maturity, experience, and proficiency in basic camping skills.

At NYLT, a temporary training unit is formed consisting of youth from troops, crews and ships across the council. This training unit is instructed and led by a highly qualified group of outstanding youth and adult trainers. At the end of this conference, the Scout returns to their home unit with advanced knowledge of leadership skills and patrol/troop/crew operation. 
 

Who Should Attend NYLT

NYLT is a training course, so participants should be mature enough that they can benefit from taking part and can serve in a meaningful leadership role in their unit after participating.

I will be turning 13 right after the course; can I attend anyway?
No, we are following stated national standards that all participants must be 13 or older on the first day of the course, and you will get more out of it by being a bit older.

Can Venturers Attend NYLT?
Yes! NYLT became considered “program neutral” and appropriate for members of Scout Troops, Venturing Crews and Sea Scout Ships. Venturers should meet the same requirements in terms of camping experience, leadership potential, and maturity.  

Additionally, all Venturers 18 years old and above, may also attend Wood Badge.

Participants must:

  • Be at least 13 years old
  • Be at least First Class in rank (or, for Venturers, have an equivalent level of camping and outdoor skills)
  • Have Scoutmaster/Crew Advisor approved and have completed Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops (ILST) which is delivered at the unit level.
  • Be willing to behave in accordance with the Scout Oath and Scout Law at NYLT
  • Be Prepared mentally, emotionally and physically to handle six days of NYLT
  • Be in attendance for the entire six day period.

Participants should:

  • Have taken part in at least 1 (ideally 2+) weeks of resident Scout camp
  • Be a “credit” to their unit—dedicated, conscientious, and responsible
  • Be serving in, or about to serve in, a significant troop or crew leadership role
  • Have good basic camping and outdoor skills
  • Want to attend

Participants should NOT:

  • Be those with significant homesickness issues or discipline problems
  • Be Scouts who have never camped without a parent present

Participants who create problems for themselves or others by not following program rules, or by violations of law or of the Scout Oath or Scout Law, may be sent home at the discretion of the adult leadership. No refunds will be given in the event of an early dismissal from NYLT.

Register Today!

NYLT Staff

After participation in an NYLT course, a Scout may apply to serve on staff. If you enjoyed NYLT, and you want to make sure other Scouts have the same rewarding experience, then staffing may be for you. It is a lot of fun, but also requires dedication to hard work and preparation. Conducting a National Youth Leadership Training course takes a great deal of planning, plenty of inspiration, and the enthusiastic participation of many dedicated people. The rewards for participants, staff, and the Scouting movement are tremendous.

There are opportunities for those who have completed the course to become a staff member for NYLT. If Scouts are still active in Scouting, are highly motivated, are hard-working, and would like to be considered for a position on a future NYLT staff, they may sign up for a youth staff search interview.

Minimum requirements for youth staff members include:

–  Be at least age 14.
–  Have held positions of leadership in their home unit.
–  Have been an NYLT course participant.
 

Apply Today!