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 times of their lives. However, this experience is only special because of the Special Place that Scouts and Scouters strive so hard to create. But what exactly is a Special Place and why is it such a vital backbone of the learning experience at NYLT?
A Special Place is an environment where everyone who exists within it, feels safe. For me, the prime example of Special Place is at the Youth Staff Development Course (YSDC). At YSDC , we stress that each participating staff member should at all times feel safe enough to both learn and grow. In this Special Place, there is no toleration of putdowns, name calling, or anything that can be either mentally or physically harmful. And most importantly, acceptance of diversity is key. It truly is a beneficial environment to any leadership development course.
It is easy to say that we create a Special Place at NYLT because it is just “the right thing to do.” However, if we compare our NYLT learning experiences to those that do not occur in a Special Place, maybe at school or work, the differences become obvious. What is it about the Scouting environment that allows us to create this Special Place, and thus an environment conducive to learning? Simply put, it’s the values we share.
When we are outside of our “Scouting worlds,” we are often surrounded by others who do not share our common values in the Oath and the Law. At least, that is how it may appear. However, we can see that at courses like NYLT and YSDC, where a diverse group is brought together with a common vision and values, that it is this common bond that makes it possible to create a place where anyone can learn and grow.
Creating a shared set of values embodying mutual respect, support, and inclusion will benefit any team— within Scouting or any other part of our lives. It is our challenge as leaders to identify this set of values, inspire the team to embrace it, and then harness that atmosphere of respect and cooperation for the good of the group. It’s hard to unite a group around a shared set of goals, but the rewards are worth it.
