The closing campfire is one of the last times to inspire participants and encourage them to use the tools they have just learned. Having the campfire go off without a hitch can be challenging after one of the longest days of the course. Here are…
In my eyes the troop guides represent the heart and the soul of any NYLT course. During staff development the focus is usually on the Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) and the Scoutmaster due to course planning and rehearsal. Once the course begins the SPLs, spend…
At this year’s 12th Annual National Youth Leader Training (NYLT) leader’s Conference in October at the Alpine Scout Camp, Douglas Fullman, NER Regional Program Director, challenged course directors and Scoutmasters to think about using the NYLT youth staffers within other training platforms. I thought this…
As we enter this new year, we have the opportunity to look back at a great year for leadership training. This year’s Alpine Conference was a major success and we provided one of the best Youth Staff Development Courses (YSDC) I have ever staffed. As…
YSDC was truly an amazing experience for me. It gave me the opportunity to meet and take advantage of a huge knowledge base emanating from youth staff from all over the Northeast, hike some of the most breathtaking trails I’ve been exposed to thus far,…
Morning assembly brings some unique challenges as compared to the rest of the day’s activities simply by it being morning assembly. A well-executed morning assembly is a great opportunity to set a good example every day. Here are a few key pointers to keep in…
Scouts and adult leaders alike can attest to the fact that those boys who go through the NYLT program show much growth upon completion. Many declare that the leadership training, friendships, and confidence gained from their time spent at NYLT was one of the greatest…
1. EDGE always fits. 2. A great time to practice is during staff development. Skits are a great way to test how well the audience can apply the information by having them plan and perform their skits. Role play, while similar, needs to be planned…
Self evaluation is something that takes a long time and a lot of practice to get right. It involves taking a serious look at yourself, and occasionally it’s not what you wanted to see. Now, before you start the process of evaluating yourself, you should…
In almost every NYLT problem solving workshop it is inevitable that one or more questions is answered with the words: “That should happen at staff development.” Unfortunately, there is rarely any type of follow- up discussion of how to run staff development effectively. Thus, in…