The NYLT course simulates a month in the life of a unit. It is a six-day course, usually held at Lost Valley. It reinforces and expands upon Be-Know-Do leadership. As a leader you will utilize the Teaching EDGE(TM) for the Scouts to learn a number of leadership skills and concepts. The youth will learn about the stages of team development and how to match the most appropriate leadership style with the developmental stage of the individual or team. The course has many challenges for the candidates, including its culmination where they undergo a quest for the meaning of leadership, which they then present to the entire NYLT troop.

As a staff member your goal will be to successfully give the NYLT six-day course where the Scouts live and work in an outdoor setting as part of a patrol within the NYLT troop. Candidates experience the simulation of a month in the life of a troop, complete with patrol leaders' council meetings and planning for the big monthly outing (the outpost overnight trip at the end of the course). They use the patrol method throughout the course and rotate leadership positions so that each candidate can experience different roles. There is an immediate application of learning in a variety of structured and fun events.

You will inspire each patrol with the challenge to create a shared vision of success. The candidates use this shared vision throughout the course to help achieve all they can as a patrol. Each patrol works on the quest for the meaning of leadership and, at the end of the course, presents their understanding of this and other concepts they have learned throughout the week as a skit, song, or something they build—the possibilities are endless.

As trainers you will be taught and then teach:

Teaching EDGE(TM)—Explain, Demonstrate, Guide, Enable

The Teaching EDGE(TM) tool is a simple four-step process used for teaching any skill.

• Explain—The trainer explains how something is done.
• Demonstrate—The trainer demonstrates while explaining again.
• Guide—The learner tries the skill while the trainer guides him through it.
• Enable—The learner works on his own under the eye of the trainer.

Consistent Leadership Modeling

The NYLT staffs are wonderful role models who continuously set the example using the NYLT skills for the participants. You will work hard to ensure that they use effective communication skills, model EDGE(TM) throughout the course, share their own visions with the troop, and demonstrate servant leadership throughout the week. They create a rich learning environment that focuses on the Scouts so that each participant comes away from the course with a full learning experience.

Use of the Scout Oath and Law, Fun and Traditions

The course is always centered on the Scout Oath and Law and all of the values of the Scouting program. This course is a blast! The boys are constantly busy with so many fun activities that they are always doing something new and exciting. The best part is that they are learning all of the leadership skills while having a great time. Traditions of past Junior Leader Training courses make up the new NYLT course which maintains the spirit and continuity.

What will the Scouts learn?

The Scouts come away from their NYLT experience with exposure to the best of the best of leadership techniques. They have learned so many invaluable skills about how create a vision of success, how to set goals and make plans, how to listen and solve problems, and how to teach and lead. Most of all, they learn the bigger picture of how to put the needs of others first in order to be a truly great leader. They learn to use the Scout Oath and Law to make hard decisions and to remain true to Scouting's values.

To support their Unit's program in a Troop Setting?

The applications to a home troop are immediate and obvious. The Scout comes home from NYLT with a new toolbox of skills at his disposal. He has lived the patrol method and has spent the week thinking about his own quest for the meaning of leadership. He will provide great value to the troop with his ability to coach and mentor the other scouts, using the Leading and Teaching EDGE(TM). In addition, while at NYLT the Scout has made a commitment to take on a challenge to better his home troop. He needs to share his challenge with the troop's leaders upon his return from training and enlist their aid in evaluating his effort.

Skills they use this at home, school, or church?

All of these skills are applicable to every part of a Scout's life. They will follow him to adulthood, enabling him to be the most effective leader—and follower—in any setting.
Help a Scout become the best leader he can be!!
The NYLT courses require a team large effort and 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.

Step and join us to put on a fantastic course!