National Youth Leadership Training

What is National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT)?

NYLT is a week-long outdoor leadership training program for youth leaders developed by the Boy Scouts of America and conducted by Daniel Webster Council and other councils around the country. A highly trained youth staff under the supervision of adult advisors set the example in modeling the core learning and leadership messages of the National BSA NYLT syllabus.

The course focuses on teaching advanced leadership skills through the patrol or crew method. The participants will be challenged to accomplish activities and projects using the leadership skills taught in the course. Participants will experience the simulation of a month in the life of a Scouting unit, complete with meetings, activities, and planning for the big monthly outing.

What are the course objectives?

• To create an enthusiastic and fun situation where participants will experience “Scouting at its best”;
• To give participants the confidence and knowledge to run their unit program and an opportunity to explore new program ideas with their peers;
• To improve the health of scouting units and to create a youth training pool to assist in District level training events.
• Participants will gain the most from the course if they have had a successful experience as an elected leader.
• Venturers or Explorers who are Crew or Post members looking to step into a leadership role for their Crew, Post, or school in the upcoming year should definitely attend.
• OA Chapters are encouraged to send teams of their upcoming leaders to the course.

What are the participant requirements?

To attend an NYLT course, a youth shall have the following qualifications by the beginning of the course:

• Must be a registered member of a Scouting unit
• Must have a current BSA Health and Medical Record form parts A, B, and C (Note, Participants are required to submit a copy of their health record for each week they attend camp)
• Scouts (male and female) must be 13 years of age and fall within the maximum age allowance for their program registration. They should be ranked a First Class Scout or higher and have completed Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops.
• Venturers and Sea Scouts (male and female) must be at least 14, or 13 and have completed eighth grade, and fall within the maximum age allowance for their program. They should have completed Introduction to Leadership Skills for Crews or Ships. It is recommended that they have had at least one year of camping experience. While NYLT is not an outdoor skills course, it is important that each participant have basic camping and outdoor cooking experience.
• A unit leader recommendation Scoutmasters with questions should contact the Course Director to ensure that this program is the right fit for their scout. Click here to email the Course Director.

Course Location

We run the NYLT program completely outdoors at Camp Bell, Griswold Scout Reservation, in Gilmanton Ironworks, NH.

Camp Information

The Parent and Leader Guides to Camp Bell offer additional information regarding dietary or medical accommodations and emergency procedures information.

What is the application process?

Applications will be accepted until the pre-camp meeting in June. The course is very popular, and enrollment is limited. It is recommended to register early to avoid disappointment.

Upon registration, Scouts, their Parents, and their Scoutmasters will receive additional information and an invitation to attend the Orientation Meeting at Camp Bell on Sunday, June 4, 2023. Scoutmasters are encouraged to attend the pre-camp meeting to learn more about how they can support the leadership development of their Scouts.

2024 Tentative Timeline and Key Information

A pre-camp meeting for Scouts, parents, and unit leaders will be held on Sunday, June 9, 2024, at Griswold Scout Reservation, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Participants are expected to check in with their Patrol Counselor after the pre-camp meeting but before Course week to confirm preparations.

NYLT Course week will begin with staggered check-ins between 10:30 am to 12:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 23, 2024, at Hidden Valley. Participants will be given their check-in time at the pre-camp meeting. Bag lunches will be provided at registration. Please access the reservation through the Hidden Valley camp entrance.

Parents are asked to hand-carry all meds and any meal supplements for special dietary considerations. Parents may contact the camp nurse or commissary prior to camp week for any concerns.

The NYLT closing ceremony will be held on Friday night, June 28, 2024, at the Council Fire Ring. Parents are welcome to observe. Dismissal will be at 8:00 pm.

Participants are expected to be in full, official scout uniforms for the pre-camp meeting, check-in, all flag ceremonies, and most meals. (Rather than purchasing new uniform items, participants are encouraged to borrow extra socks, shorts, etc, from friends in their unit).

Venturers will get more direction on uniforms and packing requirements for the course week during the pre-camp meeting.

Participants will be asked to complete a leadership project (their vision) after completing their week with us. There will be a Course Gathering on Sunday, December 3, 2023, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. so that participants can share their project results and be recognized.