Call it a leadership development course. Call it a train-the-trainer course. Call it a meeting of the minds. Yes, these are things that describe the NYLT Leadership Academy. But these labels come nowhere near the essence of the Academy.
It’s hard to describe the nature of a lifechanging experience to someone who hasn’t been through one quite like this. What I can definitely say is that I wouldn’t be the person I am proud to be today if I hadn’t attended the Academy, and I know many others say the same. I’ve seen countless youth graduate from the Academy and say, “This course changed my life.” “I’m so thankful that I had this opportunity.” “This was the best week of my life.” I will attempt to explain why.
On paper it seems simple enough: learn some presentation skills, exchange ideas with other NYLT staff, and hopefully make a few friends. Learn to be a stellar NYLT staff member and put on a great course! These are wonderful things, and if our course ended there it would still be an incredible investment for any youth. But the Academy is much more than the sum of its parts.
The effect of bringing together talented youth staff from throughout the nation, in an open, supportive, enabling environment, with guidance from the unbelievably dedicated Academy staph, is truly transformational. What I learned in my week at the Academy was more than just skills. I learned about myself, my goals, my values, and my vision. I learned about my desire to help people and my potential to do so. I met incredibly talented people and forged friendships that I know will last long beyond my Scouting “youth years.” I developed a thirst for constantly improving myself, my course, and my world. These are the traits that I believe make the world a better place. They’re things that can’t simple be taught, but must be inspired within others. They take not skill presentations but careful mentoring over a period of time. They take not a detached professor but a caring, invested peer who will stop at nothing to help you reach your goals. The NYLT Leadership Academy staph is incredible at doing just that, and they’ve been doing it for years.
As Senior Patrol Leader of the 2015 NYLT Leadership Academy, I will strive to continue this legacy by creating an experience that will positively and substantially affect the lives of every youth that attends next summer. I hope you’ll be one of those youth. I know you won’t be disappointed, but you don’t have to take it from me. Take it form fellow Scouts who rave about their experience. Take it from Scoutmasters who have seen the incredible things that Academy-trained youth can do. Whatever you do, don’t miss out on the experience of a lifetime! Registration opens soon!
