What is NYLT?

NYLT stands for National Youth Leadership Training and has been Scouting’s premiere leadership training program since its establishment in 2003. The training is held over 6 days, or a two-weekend span and scouts will learn important Scout and life skills that can translate over to troop leadership and even everyday life.During the program, Scouts will be placed into patrols with Scouts that they may have not met before, where they will go through the stages of team development as they strive to become better leaders. Scouts will learn how to communicate effectively, how to resolve conflicts, and how to work towards a vision.

The purpose of the ILST/ILSC/ILSS course is to teach Scouts with leadership positions about their new roles and how to most effectively reach success in that role. It is intended to help Scouts in leadership positions within their Crew/Troop/Ship understand their responsibilities and to equip them with organizational and leadership skills to fulfill those responsibilities. ILST/ILSC/ILSS is the first course in the series of leadership training offered to Scouts. Completion of ILST/ILSC/ILSS is a prerequisite for Scouts to participate in the more advanced leadership courses National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) and the National Advanced Youth Leadership Experience (NAYLE). It is also required to participate in a Kodiak Challenge Trek.

Most often this training is offered within a unit and taught by current youth leaders and adults. On occasion, a district/council training will become available.  For more information and the course guide for leaders, visit the BSA Youth Training page.

What: Intro to Leadership Skills for Troops @ University of Scouting
When: November 2, 2024
Where: Allendale Middle School

What: Intro to Leadership Skills for Troops AND Crews
When: November 9, 2024
Where: St Clair Lions Club

What: Intro to Leadership Skills for Troops AND Crews
When: November 9, 2024
Where: St Clair Lions Club

Did you know that Scouting America recognizes 42 different religious organizations that have developed Religious Emblems programs? These are programs owned by the faith organizations that are eligible to be worn on Scouting Uniforms.

For more information and to find programs being held in-person in the MCC, visit the Religious Relationships page.

Stay Tuned for 2026 Dates

OKPIK Winter Outdoor Training

OKPIK, which is Inuit for “Snowy Owl,” is the Cold Weather Camping Adventure program offered by the Boy Scouts of America.  OKPIK will give you the skills to go where few dare.

This two day and two night adventure develops confidence and skills in camping and living in the outdoors during extreme weather conditions. Receive training in physical preparation, cold weather dress, first aid and emergency procedures, food and water, equipment use while experiencing cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and winter shelter building.

OKPIK is state-of-the-art training to give leaders, (both youth and adult), confidence in taking groups into a cold environment and support a year-round camping program. Our cold weather training is appropriate only for those leaders and campers who already have basic Scouting skills and mild weather camping experience. Our training includes skills that can ensure a successful, fun and safe cold weather camping experience. These must know skills are important because cold weather camping mistakes can be serious and certainly are not something upon which to build young Scout’s experience.

Level 1: Participants learn basic winter camping skills and spend both nights indoors
Level 2: Participants put the skills learned in Level 1 into practice and spend 1 night indoors and 1 night outdoors in a shelter they build
Level 3: Participants learn advanced winter camping skills and spend both nights outdoors in a shelter they build
Veteran: Participants who have completed all 3 levels of OKPIK can come back as a Veteran, spending the whole weekend outdoors and learning how to become an OKPIK Staff member.

Ages 13 – Adult

First Aid, CPR, and Wilderness First Aid

A leader is always prepared.  And part of being prepared is knowing how to respond to medical emergencies at meetings, outings, and high adventure events.  Even a simple cut can become infected and turn into a major medical event, so know how to treat all of the common injuries and conditions your Scouts and leaders may encounter on the trail.  These courses are recommended for adult leaders and older Scouts.

Wilderness first aid, or “WFA”, is a generic term that commonly refers to any training course that focuses on prevention, assessment, and treatment for an ill or injured person in a remote environment where definitive care by a physician and/or rapid transport is not readily available, i.e.,  being an hour or more away from advanced care.  WFA courses are intended for anyone planning a remote high adventure, from lay responders to medical professionals.  Youth (14 years old and up) and adult Scout leaders are encouraged to take a 16-hour WFA course based on the specific curriculum developed by the BSA, which includes a management dimension that most course fail to address.   High adventure bases have requirements on the number of participants that must be current with their WFA training (which lasts for two years).

First Aid In-Person Training Courses