Alessandra Posted May 4, 2016 Share Posted May 4, 2016 While on a camping trip this weekend, I had a chance to meet parents from various troops. Several of them said that NYLT (National Youth Leadership Training) had made a positive difference in how their troops were run. As far as I am aware, it Is not mentioned in our troop. So, is NYLT something extra and not necessary, or is it something every troop should be doing? I am interested in any and all info, opinions, anecdotes.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom2scouts Posted May 4, 2016 Share Posted May 4, 2016 I think every troop should be sending boys to NYLT. I've encouraged my own son to do it this year. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AK_Mom4 Posted May 4, 2016 Share Posted May 4, 2016 Both my boys attended during their scouting years. It was pretty good - they both said they picked up a lot of good ideas for working with groups. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alessandra Posted May 4, 2016 Author Share Posted May 4, 2016 I think every troop should be sending boys to NYLT. I've encouraged my own son to do it this year. That was pretty much what I heard at my camp out. Do boys just sign up on their own, or does troop strongly encourage them? The websites I visited make it look as though boys to a training session at a camp? Or does it vary by council? Can you tell me what you, as a parent, like about NYLT? (when you have time to reply) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alessandra Posted May 4, 2016 Author Share Posted May 4, 2016 Both my boys attended during their scouting years. It was pretty good - they both said they picked up a lot of good ideas for working with groups. I am sort of amazed that our troop does not seem to mention it. Ds is a new ASPL, so I would want him to take advantage of something that could improve his leadership skills. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DawnM Posted May 4, 2016 Share Posted May 4, 2016 My oldest went. It literally changed him for the better. He came back with far more confidence and determined to get Eagle. He has it now. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom2scouts Posted May 4, 2016 Share Posted May 4, 2016 Our council does NYLT as a one week camp. One of my older sons went to NYLT and then was staff there for a few years. I like that it teaches them about leadership and then gives them methods to use (EDGE method*). They have to work with others to solve challenges, but they still are having fun. As staff, they actually get to take the leadership role and teach. *Explain Demonstrate Guide Enable Our troop always offers NYLT to boys who are qualified to go, but don't pressure anyone. We always get a few guys who go. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alessandra Posted May 4, 2016 Author Share Posted May 4, 2016 My oldest went. It literally changed him for the better. He came back with far more confidence and determined to get Eagle. He has it now. Wow! What a great story. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8circles Posted May 4, 2016 Share Posted May 4, 2016 My son is going this year. I'm surprised that it isn't more encouraged by the troop. There might be one other boy going. It has been many years since anyone from the troop attended. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soror Posted May 4, 2016 Share Posted May 4, 2016 Glad to hear this, we are new to the BS scene(just crossed over) from my understanding we've just started getting some boys trained. I thought they had to be recommended for it though-perhaps I have it confused with something else though. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AK_Mom4 Posted May 4, 2016 Share Posted May 4, 2016 I am sort of amazed that our troop does not seem to mention it. Ds is a new ASPL, so I would want him to take advantage of something that could improve his leadership skills. Our NYLT info gets sent out by the council, not the troop. We get frequent chatty emails and it's on their Facebook page as well. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DawnM Posted May 4, 2016 Share Posted May 4, 2016 Wow! What a great story. He has Asperger's and some other issues and I was actually quite afraid to send him. But it was great. The boys all rallied around him and encouraged him. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freesia Posted May 4, 2016 Share Posted May 4, 2016 My son is on NYLT staff. He went as a participant year before last and really liked it. This year, as staff, it has been his favorite activity by far. He comes back so happy and confident. I think that it is a wonderful program. The boys learn leadership skills and team work. Our troop approaches boys about going and offers a scholarship if you complete the training. Usually the boys are about 13 or 14 before they go, but I don't know if there is a rule about it. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6packofun Posted May 4, 2016 Share Posted May 4, 2016 Thanks for the explanation! It was mentioned only on our troop's FB page and recommended to ds, but beyond that we didn't really get any info on what it was ABOUT or FOR. Just, here is something cool about leadership skills your ds might like and no one had any personal experience to share. LOL I wish they'd encourage the troop to do more things like this...we passed up NYLT in favor of something else this year but we'll try to work the next one into our schedule for sure! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alessandra Posted May 4, 2016 Author Share Posted May 4, 2016 YES!!!! SEND YOUR BOY!!! Was that emphatic enough? It was a life-changer for dd (Venturer) and she'll be on staff this year. Check with your Elks Club. The CO Elks send one kid from each troop/crew/team/ship who applies, writes an essay and is put forth by their leader. They come home with great skills and great friends. Woodbadge for adults is similar. There's an advancde course for Scouts: NAYLE. Kids have to be 1st Class and 13 for NYLT for Scouts, and 14 for Venturers and have taken some particular leadership training beforehand. Yes, like the emphasis. When I was talking to my IRL friend, I told her that there was bullying in our troop. That was when she asked about NYLT. And I had to to tell her our troop had never mentioned it, to my knowledge. She was shocked, so I thought I'd better find out more by asking here..... Our NYLT info gets sent out by the council, not the troop. We get frequent chatty emails and it's on their Facebook page as well. I get the Council emails, but don't recall NYLT. I did find it on their site. My son is on NYLT staff. He went as a participant year before last and really liked it. This year, as staff, it has been his favorite activity by far. He comes back so happy and confident. I think that it is a wonderful program. The boys learn leadership skills and team work. Our troop approaches boys about going and offers a scholarship if you complete the training. Usually the boys are about 13 or 14 before they go, but I don't know if there is a rule about it. That's a good recommendation! Thanks, everyone, and I will keep checking here, so please post if you haven't yet! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alessandra Posted May 4, 2016 Author Share Posted May 4, 2016 (edited) Here are the programs from councils within driving distance of us: https://ppcbsa.org/committees/training/ https://scoutingevent.com/?OrgKey=BSA358&eventID=6139 http://www.nnjbsa.org/event/national-youth-leadership-training-2016/1873252 The first one is from a council that has lots of well organized programs. The second is from our own council, which has excellent programs and some so-so ones. I'll try to find out about both of these. Edited May 4, 2016 by Alessandra Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alessandra Posted May 4, 2016 Author Share Posted May 4, 2016 (edited) Something to consider, if you're not already attending your troop committee meetings, do. And consider attending your district roundtables once a month. Once you become an "insider" you are kept up-to-date on things such as NYLT.I on the Committee. However, there have not been any formal committee meetings last few years. I am hearing a lot more about what is going on through our local Venturing crew, which both ds and dd joined recently. Edited May 4, 2016 by Alessandra Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lauraw4321 Posted May 4, 2016 Share Posted May 4, 2016 I see it's open to girls. Is it something Girl Scouts can do? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alessandra Posted May 4, 2016 Author Share Posted May 4, 2016 Definitely go. It helps them crystallize how learning occurs, and how to both lead and follow. Be prepared to coach them in tact if you have any assistant scoutmasters who are playing favs. They also network.... meet other troops' active lads and scouters that they will meet again when they are camp counselors or as staff for cub events, some of whom will pitch in on their Eagle Project. You have given me something to consider -- connections -- in terms of what council to do NYLT in. but we are getting familiar with neighboring council, because they have venturing programs, while our council does not at this point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alessandra Posted May 4, 2016 Author Share Posted May 4, 2016 I see it's open to girls. Is it something Girl Scouts can do? Boy Scout Venturing is open to boys and girls ages 14-20. Participants register in BSA (Boy Scouts of America). Legally, it has nothing to do with Girl Scouts. But Venturing is great for GS who want more outdoor activities than are typically available to GS. Oops, I almost forgot. Some Venturing crews are not mainly outdoor. They could focus on STEM or other things. I am not really familiar with that type of crew, as I am pretty new to Venturing as a whole. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8circles Posted May 4, 2016 Share Posted May 4, 2016 (edited) I see it's open to girls. Is it something Girl Scouts can do? I don't know what the official rules are but I was told that girl scouts are able to participate in our council. I think that maybe it's also open to other groups. But don't quote me on that. Edited May 4, 2016 by 8circles Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alessandra Posted May 5, 2016 Author Share Posted May 5, 2016 (edited) I don't know what the official rules are but I was told that girl scouts are able to participate in our council. I think that maybe it's also open to other groups. But don't quote me on that.There is a Boy Scout camp near us that allows Girl Scouts to participate in some activities. Our GS troop has done the indoor rock climbing wall. The BSA camp has the required $1 million liability policy, so the GS council will approve it on their end. I have done the paperwork for this. Girls have to do all GS permissions plus the BSA medical forms. Lots of work! No, I don't think GS can do it unless they register as Venturers. They have to have Venturing Leadership Training beforehand. The two organizations are totally separate. We went to a Venturing weekend activity which said on the flyer that it was open to Boy Scouts 14 and older. But some activities are for Venturers only. Well, Margaret knows this, but I am posting a handy chart for others. http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/34416_Insert_Web.pdf Edited May 5, 2016 by Alessandra Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plateau Mama Posted May 5, 2016 Share Posted May 5, 2016 My son did NYLT last year. He said it was the worst week of scouting he's ever done. I think the idea behind it is sound, but ours was poorly run. My son said that it was disorganized, the scouts were rude, disrespectful and he'd never heard so much swearing. He felt it was a total waste. I also think that the caliber of boys in our troop tends to be higher than the norm being that they mainly come from homeschoolers and Christian private school, so we don't tend to have swearing, disrespect etc. My son also has a very low (as in no) tolerance for that kind of behavior in people. Our troop paid to send three boys last year. Not sure what they are doing this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alessandra Posted May 5, 2016 Author Share Posted May 5, 2016 My son did NYLT last year. He said it was the worst week of scouting he's ever done. I think the idea behind it is sound, but ours was poorly run. My son said that it was disorganized, the scouts were rude, disrespectful and he'd never heard so much swearing. He felt it was a total waste. I also think that the caliber of boys in our troop tends to be higher than the norm being that they mainly come from homeschoolers and Christian private school, so we don't tend to have swearing, disrespect etc. My son also has a very low (as in no) tolerance for that kind of behavior in people. Our troop paid to send three boys last year. Not sure what they are doing this year. Oh, that sounds terrible. I will really have to check out the programs. Thanks for sharing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alessandra Posted May 5, 2016 Author Share Posted May 5, 2016 I'd push for committee meetings. How do you develop a calendar and do recharter? How do you okay Eagle projects? I'll pm you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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