Hey Crew!

I've been following all the discussion on the summer activities for 2012, and I thought I would put in my own two cents about NYLT.

NYLT, in case you haven't heard anything about it yet, is National Youth Leadership Training, and is the second step in the leadership series of ILSC, NYLT, and finally, NAYLE, another possible summer activity. Now, while a bridge course is available to fulfill the prerequisite of attending NYLT before NAYLE, I think that it is a much more memorable and meaningful experience to attend NYLT in full.

This year, the NYLT course open to Venturers is July 16-21, and it is going to be an amazing week. During NYLT, you are placed in teams of eight, with whom you spend the rest of the week. Throughout the week, the staff gives presentations about various aspects of team dynamics, leadership, and personal goal setting and development. Then, you are given opportunities to practice what you just learned through reinforcement exercises, usually a game, but also through things like geocaching and building human-powered trebuchets to fling water balloons at the staff, which is always a hit (pun intended.) 

I went through the course the summer of 2009, and I have staffed every course since then. I have found use for the skills I have learned in everything in my life from schoolwork to sports, not the least of which making my Scouting and Venturing more meaningful. I still keep in touch with members of my team four years later, and I have joined two Crews because of the amazing friends I have met at NYLTs.  This year is the second year that Venturers are allowed to join the course. Last year, when it was first opened, 1042 sent the only two Venturing participants, Chris and Melissa, and Nick, Sam, Mick and Mr. Z helped staff the course. This year I think the crew can and should have an even bigger participation.

The form to sign up can be found here, along with a little more information on the course. If you have any further questions, feel free to call me. email me, or talk with one of the crew members who have been involved with NYLT.

Thanks for considering,

Zachary F
2012 NYLT Week 1 Course Leader