The weekend of April 19 – 21 hosted the National Leadership Seminar (NLS) and Developing Youth Leadership Conference (DYLC). These events took place in the shadow of Mount Rainier at the wonderful Salvation Army Camp Arnold. The staff at Camp Arnold were very welcoming, and they made some great meals too!
NLS was thought-provoking, growth-inducing, boundary-expanding, fellowship-bonding, and an all around great time. It pushed the limitations of what is and inspired youth leaders around the nation to think outside the box and come up with solutions to unsolved problems. At NLS leaders are provided a chance to make a difference — rather, it enables you to make differences yourself. Oh, and it just happens to be a life-changing leadership seminar.
DYLC was not just empowering, it bestowed wisdom on how to empower others. It only takes one good leadership seminar to change a leader, and it only takes one leader to change a life. The adults in my Scouting career have not only guided me through my terms in leadership, but shaped who I am as a person. With this training, the next generation will have the same, if not more, care and effort shown on their behalf.
Overall, the weekend was a blast. Whether it was competing in the Game Room or eating in the Mess Hall, learners were given the opportunity to meet members of other lodges and sections. They laughed together during all available free time, getting to know each other on a deeper level.
Apart from the free time, the learning sessions took up most of the weekend. NLS was packed full of thirteen sessions, each brimming with new content. All learners, whether attending NLS or DYLC, arrived expecting to learn something — and boy, did they get their wish!
NLS and DYLC are the next steps in Scouting leadership; they are one link further in a chain reaching back all the way to Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops (ILST). Both trainings are valuable resources to bring back to units and lodges alike. I hope all learners take their chance to become teachers and spread the knowledge they have gained!
