June 8-12, 2026
Butler Wilderness Outpost • Park Rapids, MN
National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) is a 5-day leadership experience for youth registered in Scouts BSA, Venturing, or Sea Scouts. It’s designed for Scouts who want to grow as leaders and for units that value a strong, youth-led program. Many troops even require NYLT for Senior Patrol Leaders because it teaches not just what leadership is, but how to practice it. To support this investment, many troops cover 50–100% of the participant fee.
At NYLT, participants learn by doing, not by sitting through lectures. The course is structured like a well-run Scout unit, with youth working in patrols and facing real leadership challenges. Scouts explore the core leadership principles of Be, Know, Do while building skills in communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and ethical decision-making, all with plenty of hands-on activity and fun.
One of the most impactful aspects of NYLT is that it is truly youth-led. The course is run by a highly trained youth staff, with adults serving as advisors in the background. This gives participants a clear example of a youth-led troop and the confidence to bring those skills home. The leadership lessons learned at NYLT also benefit Scouts in school, future careers, and life. NYLT is not an outdoor skills course, but participants should be comfortable with basic camping and outdoor cooking. A troop leader recommendation is required before registering.
Attendance: Participants must attend the full course, from the morning of June 8 through the afternoon of June 12. Scouts may arrive after 5:00 PM on Sunday, June 8 and stay overnight before the course begins. A complete Leader’s Guide and all required forms are included in the Welcome Letter found on the registration page.
Registration Fees & Shirt Sizes: The course fee includes all meals Monday through Friday, two t-shirts, a hat, handbooks, recognition materials, and camping supplies. The early bird fee is $225 through April 1, 2026, and guarantees the selected shirt size. After April 1, the regular fee is $275, and shirt sizes cannot be guaranteed.
NYLT is more than a training course! It’s an experience that helps Scouts step up, lead with confidence, and strengthen youth-led leadership in their unit.
Youth Participant Requirements
In order to attend a NYLT course, a youth must have the following qualifications by the beginning of the course:
- Must be a registered member of a Scouting unit (troop, crew, or ship).
- Must have a current Health and Medical Record Form with Parts A, B, and C.
- Must be at least 13 years old and have earned the First Class rank (or ship/crew equivalent).
- While NYLT is not an outdoor skills course, it is important that each participant has basic camping and outdoor cooking experience.
- Have a unit leader recommendation.
