2026 Winter
National Youth Leadership Training
Far East Council

Dates: December 28, 2026 - January 2, 2027
Location: Palm Cabanas Resort 

What is NYLT?

National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) is an exciting, action-packed program designed to provide senior Scouts with advanced leadership training, skills and experience that they can use in their home troops, crews and ships, as well as any situation demanding leadership of self and others. NYLT is the Council's premiere leadership experience for Youth. NYLT provides the opportunity for current and future Youth leaders to learn and practice advanced leadership skills.

How is NYLT Delivered?

Through a six-day, hands-on leadership course in an outdoor setting.

Through a tested and proven, nationally developed, activity filled curriculum.

Led and presented by trained, experienced Youth dedicated to advancing the leadership knowledge and skills of their fellow Youth.

Who May Attend NYLT?

To attend NYLT, a Scout must meet the following qualifications by course start:

• A registered member of a Scouting unit
• Scouts BSA members must be at least 13 years old, but not more than 17, and at least First Class Rank (no waivers are permitted)
• Venturers and Sea Scouts must be at least 14, or 13 and have completed eighth grade, but not more than 20 years old (no waivers are permitted)
• NYLT is not an outdoor skills course – however, basic camping and outdoor cooking experience is helpful (at least one year’s experience recommended)
• Have completed Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops, Crews or Ships
• Complete and submit the Personal Resource Questionnaire (PRQ)
• Have received her/his unit leader’s recommendation. (The unit leader must sign the Personal Resource Questionnaire (PRQ) form which each participant needs to submit prior to attending NYLT)
• Completed Youth Protection Training in current year if 18 or older.
• A current BSA Health History and Medical Record form parts A, B, and C (a hard copy should be brought to camp and given to the Camp Medical Officer as part of the check in process. Due to data privacy restrictions we can not accept digital copies)

For questions and/or to help deserving Youth attend NYLT by contributing to the Far East Council Campership Fund, please contact the Course Director at nylt@fareastcouncil.org

Important Travel Requirements for Unaccompanied Minors

Participants traveling to the Philippines without a parent or legal guardian may have additional Philippine immigration requirements. Parents and guardians are responsible for ensuring that their Scout has all required travel and immigration documentation before departure.

Participants Under Age 15 – Waiver of Exclusion Ground (WEG)

Under Philippine immigration requirements, a foreign minor under 15 years of age who travels to the Philippines without a parent or legal guardian, or who is not traveling to join a parent in the Philippines, generally requires a Waiver of Exclusion Ground (WEG) unless the child qualifies for a specific exemption.

This requirement may apply even when the youth is traveling with an adult Scout leader, NYLT staff member, or other designated adult. A parent or legal guardian may authorize a designated travel companion and identify where the child will reside while in the Philippines.

What Parents Need to Complete

Parents are strongly encouraged to review the Philippine Embassy's complete guidance regarding unaccompanied foreign minors before purchasing travel or departing for NYLT:

Official Philippine Government Guidance

https://philippine-embassy.de/unaccompanied-travel-of-foreign-children/

For a participant who requires a WEG, parents/guardians should prepare the following:

WEG Application
Complete the Waiver of Exclusion Ground application. The Philippine Bureau of Immigration also permits online applications through its e-services portal. The Philippine Embassy recommends submitting an online application at least 72 hours before the child's intended arrival in the Philippines.

Notarized Affidavit of Support and Guarantee with Travel Consent
Either parent must execute an Affidavit of Support and Guarantee with Travel Consent for Waiver of Exclusion Ground (WEG). The document must be properly notarized/authenticated in accordance with applicable Philippine consular requirements.

Child's Passport
Provide a scanned copy of the child's passport information page and signature page. The participant should travel with their original passport.

Entry Visa, if Required
Provide a valid Philippine entry visa if one is required based on the participant's nationality and circumstances.

Parent's Passport
Provide a scanned copy of the passport information page of the parent who executed the Affidavit of Support and Guarantee/Travel Consent.

Traveling Companion's Passport
If the youth will travel with a designated adult, provide a scanned copy of that adult's passport information page.

Return/Onward Airline Ticket
Provide a copy of the participant's return or onward airline ticket.

NYLT Invitation/Participation Letter
Scouting America – Far East Council should provide the participant with an invitation or participation letter identifying the purpose of the youth's travel to the Philippines. Philippine immigration guidance lists an invitation from the inviting or sponsoring organization among the required WEG documentation.

WEG Processing Fee

The Philippine Bureau of Immigration currently lists a WEG processing fee of approximately PHP 3,120 approximatley $50 USD per child. This fee is separate from any fee associated with notarizing or authenticating the parent's affidavit.This must be paid in Filipino Pesos and must be carried with the youth.  Parents should verify the current amount before travel because government fees may change.

Documents the Scout Must Carry

All travel documents should be hand carried. 

The participant or designated adult traveling with the participant should carry the required original documents and physical copies in their carry-on baggage for presentation to Philippine immigration.

The Philippine Embassy specifically states that the original notarized Affidavit of Support and Guarantee with Travel Consent for WEG must be presented upon arrival. Travelers should also bring physical copies of all documents uploaded through the Bureau of Immigration online portal.

We strongly recommend organizing the documents together in a clearly labeled travel folder.

Applying Online

Parents may submit the WEG application through the Philippine Bureau of Immigration e-services portal:

Philippine Bureau of Immigration E-Services Portal

Applications should be submitted at least 72 hours before the child's intended arrival, but families attending NYLT are strongly encouraged to begin this process well in advance rather than waiting until the minimum 72-hour period.

Important: Approval Does Not Guarantee Entry

Approval or advance payment of a WEG does not automatically guarantee admission into the Philippines. Philippine immigration officials will make the final determination at the port of entry after reviewing the participant's purpose of travel and documentation.

Participants Age 15 and Older

The WEG requirement described above applies to foreign minors below 15 years of age. Participants age 15 and older should still travel with all normally required passport, visa (if applicable), airline, Scouting America, medical, and parental travel-consent documentation required for their circumstances.

Parent/Guardian Responsibility

It is the responsibility of the parent or legal guardian to determine and complete all passport, visa, WEG, airline, transit-country, and Philippine immigration requirements applicable to their child.

Because participants may be traveling from multiple countries throughout the Far East Council, requirements may differ based upon the participant's age, citizenship, passport, country of departure, transit location, airline, and travel arrangements.

Scouting America – Far East Council can provide NYLT program documentation and an invitation/participation letter when required, but families remain responsible for satisfying government and airline travel requirements.

To upload your PRQ:
1. Log into the Far East council website. 

2. In the upper right corner right click on your name and select view activity.

3. Click on the NYLT course and your registration page will come up

4. Click on the “update information” link in the lower left corner.

5. Scroll down towards the bottom and you will find a place to upload the PRQ document.