Become the Leader Your Unit Needs

National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) is Scouting America's premier leadership course for Scouts BSA and Venturing youth. This exciting six-day outdoor experience builds confidence, strengthens leadership skills, and prepares participants to lead both in Scouting and in everyday life.

NYLT is the next step in the Scouting leadership journey, building on the leadership training received in a Scout's home unit. Through hands-on activities, team challenges, discussions, and outdoor adventures, participants learn practical leadership skills they can immediately apply in their troop, crew, school, workplace, and community.

Throughout the week, participants are placed into a model unit where they experience the patrol method in action while learning from an outstanding youth-led staff supported by experienced adult advisors. The course is fast-paced, interactive, and designed to challenge participants while making leadership fun.

Course Schedule

NYLT is a six-day resident course.

• Check-in: 12:00 PM
• Course Begins: 1:00 PM
• Course Concludes: Approximately 6:00 PM

Please note: Lunch is not provided on the first day (Sunday) and dinner is not provided on the final day (Friday).

What Participants Will Learn

During NYLT, Scouts will:

• Build confidence as leaders.
• Develop effective communication and teamwork skills.
• Learn how successful teams are formed and grow.
• Practice planning, problem-solving, and decision-making.
• Experience the stages of team development through real-world challenges.
• Create a personal vision for leading in their home unit.
• Form lasting friendships with Scouts from across the council.
• Have an unforgettable week of adventure and fun.

Who Can Attend?

Participants Must:

• Be registered in a Scouts BSA troop or Venturing crew.
• Be at least 13 years old by the first day of the course.
• Be under 18 years old for Scouts BSA (under 21 for Venturers).
• Have completed their home unit's youth leader training.
• Demonstrate proficiency in basic camping skills.
• Receive approval from their Scoutmaster or Venturing Advisor.

Because most Scouts attend NYLT only once, participants should be prepared for an advanced leadership experience that requires maturity, teamwork, and active participation.

Course Experience

NYLT is designed to model a month in the life of a Scout unit. The first part of the course features meetings, planning sessions, and leadership instruction that prepare participants for an exciting overnight outpost experience later in the week.

As the course progresses, each team works together on a leadership challenge that allows participants to apply everything they have learned. Throughout the week, the youth staff demonstrates effective leadership while participants build their own "leadership toolbox" filled with practical skills they can take back to their home unit.

The course begins with teams creating a shared vision and concludes with each participant developing a personal plan to put their new leadership skills into action.

Why Attend NYLT?

NYLT is more than a leadership course—it's an experience that challenges Scouts to grow, inspires them to serve others, and equips them with skills that will benefit them for years to come.

Whether leading a patrol, serving in a troop leadership position, or preparing for future opportunities in school, college, or a career, NYLT provides leadership lessons that last a lifetime.