National Leadership Seminar (NLS)

Friday, December 10, 2021 - Sunday, December 12, 2021

Embassy Suites Greensboro

204 Centreport Drive, Greensboro, NC 27409

Registration closes on Tuesday, November 02.

Cost is $230.00 for the weekend

 In addition to registering and submitting payment to the lodge, participants must register with the region using this link - https://registration.oa-bsa.org/. You will not need to submit payment twice. The region will bill the lodge for your payment once the event is over. 

Purpose of the NLS:

The National Leadership Seminar (NLS) is a weekend conference focusing on the skills and characteristics of leadership. It is intended primarily to enhance the leadership skills of the Order of the Arrow’s key youth and adult members, as they seek to improve their service to the Boy Scouts of America and the greater community.

The NLS will provide participants with:

• A challenging, inspiring, and enjoyable learning experience
• A better understanding of the skills of leadership, and how to apply them
• A better understanding of themselves and of other people
• A realization that, with practice and work, everyone can improve their leadership skills
• An understanding that leadership skills work in tandem with one another
• An understanding that different situations require the application of different leadership skills
• A model with which to evaluate themselves and others in the use of leadership skills

Each NLS is delivered by a training team selected and approved by the Region Key 3 and includes former and current Section and National Officers of the Order of the Arrow.

Who Should Attend:

Lodge officers, key youth lodge committee chairs, and up-and-coming lodge youth leadership are encouraged to attend. It is recommended that youth participants be at least 14 years of age. Completion of a Lodge Leadership Development (LLD) course is desirable, but not mandatory.

In addition, selected adults with key roles in lodge leadership are encouraged to attend, as they will better understand their role as advisers to youth leadership after studying the leadership skills presented.

The seminar is an intensive experience in learning about the nature of leadership and practicing some of the skills that a leader uses. While fun, the course challenges participants mentally as well. Participants should be developmentally, physically, and mentally prepared to engage actively in an exhausting, invigorating weekend

The course is designed for one-time participation, and, depending on venue capacity restraints, there may be a limit on the total number of participants that can take the course. As such, the Region recommends limiting adult participation to 1 adult per 3 youth participants. It is understood that this recommendation may require flexibility due to transportation and youth protection issues; the important point is to make every attempt to provide priority to lodge youth leadership with this valuable learning opportunity.

 NLS Weekend Schedule:

The NLS is a full weekend course designed to impart an understanding of leadership skills in a “building block” fashion. As such, participants are expected to be in attendance for the entire weekend – missing the beginning or any other part of the weekend would significantly detract from the overall learning experience.

Each NLS begins with Registration on Friday, between 6 – 8 PM.  Participants are expected to arrive during that time interval. There will be a cracker barrel Friday night, but no Friday evening meal will be served, so make your meal plans accordingly for that evening. The NLS weekend will not be complete until 1:00 PM on Sunday, after the Closing Banquet/lunch. Please make travel plans accordingly.

What to Bring:

The official uniform for the weekend is the Class A uniform, with OA sash. As usual, personal items will be needed. Participants will have lodging and meals provided at the Embassy Suites Hotel.

A BSA Annual Health and Medical Record (Parts A and B) will be required at on-site Registration Friday. This “Personal Health & Medical Record” will not be returned to the participant at the conclusion of the weekend. All other valid and signed BSA, Philmont or Jamboree Health and/or Medical form may also be submitted.

During the “Scout’s Own” worship, an opportunity to donate to the Maury Clancy Indian Campership Fund will be offered.

A Southern Region OA Trading Post will also be available during the weekend, where participants will have an opportunity to purchase special Southern Region OA items, such as t-shirts, belt buckles, fleece jackets and vests, special NLS golf shirts, and other patches and unique OA items.

In accordance with the OA Guide for Officers and Advisers, smoking will not be permitted at this event.