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National Youth Leadership Training

Summer NYLT is happening now!

The first step in the BSA Youth Leadership Training continuum is conducted in the home unit. Boy Scouts, Varsity Scouts and Venturers who have 1) completed this training and 2) reached the age of thirteen but are not yet eighteen, (for Venturers not yet twenty one) may participate in the next step by accepting the challenge of the council level National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT).

Unit leaders have the primary responsibility for training their youth leaders. The purpose of National Youth Leadership Training is not to assume that role, but rather support it. The NYLT week 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 youth members 14 years of age. However, at a unit leader's discretion, they may approve a Scout at 13 years of age to attend NYLT. Since a Scout only takes this course once, we want them 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 Venturing Crews, Boy Scout Troops and Varsity Teams 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/team/crew operation.

Objectives:

1. Give participants the confidence and knowledge to conduct the troop program.
2. Provide participants with a clear understanding of team and personal development and how those elements relate to being a leader.
3. Guide the participants through the stages of team development.
4. Create an environment of Scouting fellowship and fun guided by the Scout Oath and the Scout Law.
5. Give participants the opportunity to share ideas and experiences with Scouts from other troops and teams.
6. Have fun and experience Scouting at its best.

Requirements and Expectations:

1. At least 13 years of age, but not yet 18 by Day One of the course. (not yet 21 by the end of the course for Venturers.) 
2. Live by the Scout Oath and the Scout Law at all times.
3. The course begins on Day One at 1:00 (check-in starts at noon) and ends on Day Six about 4:00 PM.

Course Overview:

The course models a month in the life of a unit – three meetings (one each day for the first three days) leading to a big outdoor experience (an overnight outpost camp). The course uses the patrol method and presents model Leader Council meetings.

The training unit challenges the youth early in the week to present their "Quest for the Meaning of Leadership" at the end of the week. The challenge is designed to have them go through the four stages of team development. This gives teams and individual Scouts hands on, practical application of the leadership skills and concepts presented to them during the course.

Throughout the course, the staff models the concepts and skills that are the core content of the course. The focus of the course is to fill the Scout's “Toolbox of Leadership Skills” with knowledge, practice and understanding of when and how to use these skills.

The course begins with the teams finding their team vision and ends with the individuals refining a personal vision of how to put the skills learned into action at their home unit.

Check out the Scouting Magazine article on NYLT featuring the Sam Houston Area Council.

To view a video regarding this training, view this link. The video is focused upon the winter courses which are held at Bovay Scout Ranch and contains some program elements which have changed.

2013 NYLT Schedule (click on course date to register)

13-1   June 9-14, 2013 (Sunday through Friday) Camp Strake (waiting list only)

13-3   June 17-22, 2013 (Monday through Saturday) Camp Strake

Click Here to see registration list and wait list.

Application, Fees & Other Forms:

The fee for NYLT training is $225 and is required for the registration to become final. Payments of cash or check may be submitted, but must be received at the Cockrell Scout Center within seven (7) business days of online registration. Click on the course number listed below to register. 

1. Fee Refunds – Refunds are in accordance with the Council Refund Policy.
2. Equipment Damage – Should council equipment or property be damaged by participants during the course, where damage occurs from other than normal or expected use, it shall be the responsibility of the participant (s) involved (and their guardians) to pay for the cost of the damage.
3. Course Completion – To successfully complete the course and receive the certificate and patch, a participant must attend the full course including closing ceremony.  Anyone arriving late or leaving the course early will not be eligible for completion.
4. Medication – All medication containers must be labeled with participant’s name, medication name, dosage & schedule for the medication.  Send only enough medication for the course duration. In addition, please complete the Medication Form above.  Each participant may keep inhalers and sting kits.
5. Rescheduling - Your placement in a course if for that course and week only. If a scheduling conflict develops, and you wish to move to another course and week, we will make every effort to accommodate that request. However, if the other course has a wait list, you will be placed at the bottom of that wait list as a new registrant. We will not remove a confirmed registrant from a course to replace them with a transfer request. All requests must be in writing. You may send an email request to kathy.bozarth@shac.org.

Staffing NYLT:

Youth staff for NYLT courses are selected by the Course Directors for specific courses. Selection is made from a pool of candidates. There are two ways Scouts enter the staffing pool: 1) as a result of the recommendation of the staff when the Scout participated in NYLT or 2) as a result of the Scout applying. The second method involves a personal interview.

The interviews to staff the 2013 summer courses have already been held for the summer courses. Interview dates for Winter NYLT will be held beginning in August.

 For questions on staffing only, email dale@rice.edu.

Frequently Asked Questions