National Youth Leadership Training
What is NYLT?
National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) is an exciting, action-packed program designed for councils to provide youth members with leadership skills and experience they can use in their home troops and in other situations demanding leadership of self and others.
How did NYLT get Started?
For many years, Junior Leader Training (JLT) was an important part of the leadership training continuum of BSA local councils throughout America. In 2003 and 2004, a task force of leadership experts and hundreds of Scouts in pilot courses across the nation reviewed and tested every aspect of the new NYLT syllabus, which incorporates the latest leadership ideas and presents fresh, vital and meaningful training for today's Scouts.
What do Participants Learn at NYLT?
The NYLT course centers around the concepts of what a leader must BE, what he must KNOW, and what he must DO. The key elements are then taught with a clear focus on HOW TO. The skills come alive during the week as the patrol goes on a Quest for the Meaning of Leadership.
How Long is NYLT and Where does it take Place?
NYLT is a six-day course at Mataguay Scout Ranch. Content is delivered in a troop and patrol outdoor setting with an emphasis on immediate application of learning in a fun environment. Interconnecting concepts and work processes are introduced early, built upon, and aided by the use of memory aids, which allows participants to understand and employ the leadership skills much faster.
Built on the legacy of past JLT successes, the new NYLT integrates the best of modern leadership theory with the traditional strengths of the Scouting experience. Through activities, presentations, challenges, discussions, and audio-visual support, NYLT participants will be engaged in a unified approach to leadership that will give them the skill and confidence to lead well. Through a wide range of activities, games, and adventures, participants will work and play together as they put into action the best Scouting has to offer.
What's after NYLT?
Upon completion of the course participants will have the opportunity to put the skills they learned into practice. On day 6 each Scout will work staff members to outline a measurable plan as to how they will use NYLT to benefit their home units. This is called the NYLT Challenge.
NYLT Participant Registration
Here is all the information to register your Scout:
- Verify prerequisites.
- To attend an NYLT course, a youth shall have the following qualifications prior to the first day of course:
- Must be a registered member of a Scouting unit.
- Must have a current Scouting America Health and Medical Record form Parts A, B, & C.
- Scouts BSA youth must be 13 years of age (though it is typical for 14-year-old Scouts and older to have a better experience on course) and fall within the maximum age allowance for their program registration. They must be ranked a First Class Scout or higher and have completed Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops (ILST).
- Venturers and Sea Scouts must be at least 14, or 13 and have completed eighth grade, and fall within the maximum age allowance for their program. They must have completed Introduction to Leadership Skills for Crews (ILSC) or Ships (ILSS).
- It is recommended that Scouts have 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.
- Register for course and Pay deposit **
- Course fee:
- $325 — early registration by March 7
- $350 — March 8 - May 21
- $375 — after May 21
- Minimum $100 non-refundable deposit due at registration.
- Balance must be paid by the close of business on May 1st, 2025. Courses fill up quickly, if not paid in full, your place will be given to another Scout on the wait list.
- Refund for course fees, minus the $100 deposit, permitted if written request is received on or before May 1st, 2025. No refunds after May 1st, 2025 without extenuating circumstances.
- Links for forms can be found here:
- All completed and signed forms, except medical forms A, B, & C may be emailed to sdicnylt@gmail.com. (You may also mail them to the address below.) Medical forms A, B, & C should be MAILED to:
NYLT Registrar
San Diego-Imperial Council, BSA
1207 Upas Street
San Diego, CA 92103
- Attend MANDATORY pre-course meeting for your session.
- In-person meeting is Wednesday, May 21, 2025 at Atherton Hall/Camp Balboa from 6:00pm-8:00pm. A virtual option for those that cannot attend the in-person meeting is available. Please email the Course Directors for more information. Attendance at the in-person meeting is strongly encouraged/preferred to facilitate the collection of required paperwork.
- Course location is at Mataguay Scout Ranch (27955 Highway 79, Santa Ysabel, CA 92070).
**PAYMENT ALONE DOES NOT SECURE A PLACE ON THE COURSE.
ALL PAPERWORK MUST BE COMPLETED AND FULL PAYMENT RECEIVED.
REGISTRATION IS SUBJECT TO COURSE DIRECTOR/COUNCIL DISCRETION.
Important Form Submittal Information:
The application and all forms must be submitted to the NYLT Registrar and will be reviewed by Administrative and Health Officer staff. NYLT courses fill up quickly, submit your application early. A welcome letter will be sent to confirm registration when completed forms and fees have been approved.
The Annual Health and Medical Record form part C is the annual physical required by Scouting America National. This is due as soon as possible but no later than June 15 without Course Director approval. If your Medical Form C is not received by June 15 the applicant will be placed on the wait list. Your space will not be reserved. All confirmations are based on completed forms and fees.
If you have any questions about the course or registration process, please contact the Course Directors sdicnylt@gmail.com.
NYLT Staff Application
NYLT sponsored by the San Diego-Imperial Council is a fun-filled week of challenges, learning, and Scouting at its best! In order to present the best course possible each year, the adult and youth staff members are carefully selected based on the contributions they can be expected to make to the next course. The information below will help you understand the kind of staff members we seek, the process for staff selection, and the six-month commitment that each staff member must make to prepare and put on the next course.
Minimum criteria for NYLT Youth Staff members:
- Be at least 14 years old
- Have held positions of leadership in their home unit
- Successfully completed the NYLT course
- Be a registered member of a Scouting unit
Of course, not every Scout who meets these minimum criteria will be selected for the staff. The characteristics of staff members are one of the key factors in the success of our NYLT course each year. To create a SCOUTING AT ITS BEST atmosphere we need staff who:
- Are enthusiastic and brimming with Scout Spirit
- Follow the Scout Oath and Law
- Respect other Scouts and leaders
- Are responsible in completing assignments to the best of their ability
- Are masters of the Scoutcraft Skills needed to live in a camp environment
- Understand and put into practice the Leadership Skills taught at NYLT
- Respect the course curriculum and are dedicated to teaching it
- Willing and able to make the commitment to attend all the staff development sessions
Adult Scouter criteria for staff selection:
To carry out a successful NYLT course a number of Scouters are required to provide the guidance and mentoring to some outstanding youth throughout the development phases and during the week long experience. We are looking for Scouters who have been or are Unit Leaders with a local unit or who can work comfortably with a quality youth staff. Additionally, it is desirable for Scouters to have completed (or in the process of completing) a Wood Badge course. This is an opportunity to shape the leadership experience for both the youth staff and course participants, to enable a youth lead program and to be a part of "Scouting at its best."
Application Process
- Fill out the on-line staff application. (Coming Soon)
- Review the Staff Development Schedule, to be provided. (Staff must attend all staff development dates)
- Attend a Staff Interview session (by invitation).
- Adults will be contacted by phone and may need an in-person meeting with the Course Director
Youth will receive a confirmation of your interview date, time and ZOOM link. The interview will be a five to seven minute interview by experienced staff members. Please arrive in the ZOOM room 10 minutes before your appointment time and plan to stay for 30 minutes after your appointment time. Wear your Field Uniform ("Class A"). Be prepared to discuss your Troop/Crew leadership experience, interest in NYLT and things you have learned and practiced from NYLT training.
Youth will receive an invitation for an interview.
