NYLT Leadership Academy is life-changing — take it from these Scouts

The NYLT Leadership Academy prepares National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) graduates to teach leadership skills to others. After attending the academy, John Weisser saw that what he learned impacted more than his ability to be a good teacher.

“It gives you the ability to make a friendship and make it deeper,” the 20-year-old from Venturing Crew 2020 of Penfield, N.Y., and an Eagle Scout from Troop 35 in Red Lion, Pa., says. “If people come to me with a problem, I end up asking a lot more questions. If there’s something you’re struggling with, that perspective of seeing the world from a higher point of view is something that helps me with how I relate to other people.”

This summer, the NYLT Leadership Academy is offering three weeks of courses: one at the NorCal Adventure Area in California, another in Washington, D.C., and one at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico.

Spend one week at the academy and you will likely want to go back. Established in 2006, the academy has put on training weeks every year at sites across the country. In 2019, Braden Kennedy went to the academy course in Washington, D.C. Since then, the 20-year-old Eagle Scout, formerly of Troop 131 in Wrentham, Mass., has been to more than half a dozen courses.

“I think Leadership Academy is a great capstone to the Scouting America experience,” Braden says. “You’re making the most of those skills and applying them elsewhere. Those skills are invaluable.”

What is the NYLT Leadership Academy?

First, let’s look at NYLT. NYLT is a council-offered leadership training experience for young people. The course enables older youth to be better leaders by teaching them what they should be, know and do.

Those who graduate NYLT can train future NYLT attendees by attending the leadership academy. The academy’s goal is to train the trainers, prepare youth to staff their home council’s NYLT course and equip them for life.

“The biggest thing it changed in my leadership is taking leadership from a goal focus to being focused on building up the individuals in the team,” John says. “It’s not just about finishing the objective.”

Academy attendees hear from successful leaders, participate in problem-solving panels and give presentations.

“It helps majorly with my confidence and breaking boundaries I didn’t know I could push,” says Olivia Iding, 21, of Sea Scouts Ship 5050 in Sheboygan, Mich. “My communication is what I noticed the most. Being clear with what I want, giving feedback and my listening skills have gotten better.”

The many benefits

Scouts who go to the NYLT Leadership Academy are often looking to build their leadership skills, which can also apply outside of Scouting.

Frank Cenicola, 18, an Eagle Scout from Troop 142 in Tampa, Fla., noticed those skills coming into play while teaching youth swimming lessons.

“I learned the power of listening, not rushing and leaning on the people around you to have the best outcome,” Frank says. “I talk to parents. I have to communicate to them in a confident way.”

Accepting and evaluating feedback is a major emphasis in the course. Attendees learn how to positively implement critiques into their toolbox of skills.

“I feel like I understood failure a lot better,” John says. “It’s not about getting it right; it’s about growing.”

Like many Scouting groups, those who go to NYLT Leadership Academy often form bonds with other attendees, building a network that can extend nationwide.

“It has completely shaped my Scouting journey,” Frank says. “I’ve met so many great people. I have so many connections.”

Having that support system within the academy encourages Scouts to build similar systems outside of Scouting. Whether it be school projects, extracurriculars or work situations, attendees learn how to seek out leadership opportunities.

“You understand the ‘why’ behind the projects, which leads to faster learning and development,” Braden says.

How can I sign up?

This year’s courses will be:

Week 1: NorCal Adventure Area, Calif., June 29-July 5

Week 2: Washington, D.C., July 6-12

Week 3: Philmont Scout Ranch, N.M., July 13-19

You can register for this summer’s courses by visiting the NYLT Leadership Academy website. To attend, you must be in Scouts BSA, Sea Scouts or Venturing and meet the following qualifications:

  • Must have completed your council’s NYLT program. If your council does not have an NYLT program, you may still qualify by working with a council representative to become familiar with the NYLT staff guide and syllabus.
  • Must be First Class rank or above; or a Venturer.
  • Must be 13 years old and have completed 8th grade by the opening day of the course, but not yet be 18; or if a Venturer, not yet 21.
  • Must be willing to take your newly acquired knowledge and skills from the NYLT Leadership Academy back to your council, troop and community.

The course content at each site stays consistent, but the course themes and location-specific activities might differ. You might get to explore the historic sites in D.C. or Sacramento or check out the wilderness at Philmont. It’s an experience worth signing up for.

“One way or another, you’re going to gain something from it,” Frank says. “Everybody learns something.”


About Michael Freeman 489 Articles
Michael Freeman, an Eagle Scout, is an associate editor of Scout Life and Scouting magazines.