This section provides a variety of materials, from quick references to complete courses, all designed to help our members improve leadership skills and deliver a quality program. Many of the courses can be taken online. A log-in is required; however, anyone may create a user account and view the courses. Registered members of the BSA may provide their member numbers (as part of the user profile) to receive credit.
General 
Cub Scouting
Scouts BSA 
Venturing
Sea Scouts
Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops (ILST)
The purpose of the ILST 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 troop understand their responsibilities and to equip them with organizational and leadership skills to fulfill those responsibilities. ILST is the first course in the series of leadership training offered to Scouts and is a replacement for Troop Leadership Training. Completion of ILST 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.
Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops – Online & Virtual
Covering the same Learning Objectives as the face-to-face course (above), this course combines online and virtual components providing Scouts an opportunity for completion in a socially distanced setting.
Completion of this three-module course meets all required ILST training requirements.
To take the Modules 1 and 2 online you will need a my.scouting account. Only Scouts 13 and older can create a my.scouting account, younger Scouts will require using a parental account. To create an account, go to my.scouting.org and click the CREATE ACCOUNT button and follow the instructions. Once you have created your account, enter your username and password and click on the LOGIN button. The my.scouting application will open and you can click on the BSA LEARN CENTER graphic to open the Learn Center. When the Learn Center opens you can select the Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops (ILST) or Introduction to Leadership Skills for Crews (ILSC) from Programs as applicable to you. In the Programs are 2 Learning Plans – Introduction and Tools of Leadership – you will need to complete both. When selecting a Learning Plan, it will open with a description and course listing – click the Enroll Button to record your completion progress. For courses within the Learning Plan simply click the Start button and take the course until you complete it. Both the Learning Plans and Course will show your percentage of completion. You must complete all courses in a Learning Plan to complete the Learning Plan. Certificates for completion of courses can be obtained in my.scouting by clicking the Menu button, selecting My Training and then selecting the Completions tab. To obtain a course certificate highlight a course and click on the icon to the far right – it will generate and download a certificate automatically to your default download folder.
View Instructional Overview (October 2020)
Introduction to Leadership Skills for Crews (ILSC)
The purpose of the Introduction to Leadership Skills for Crews course is to teach crew members with leadership positions about their new roles and how to most effectively reach success in that role. It is intended to help Venturers in leadership positions within their crew understand their responsibilities and to equip them with organizational and leadership skills to fulfill those responsibilities. Introduction to Leadership Skills for Crews is the first course in the series of leadership training offered to Venturers and is a replacement for the Venturing Leadership Skills Course. Completion of Introduction to Leadership Skills for Crews is a prerequisite for Venturers 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 for Kodiak.
Introduction to Leadership Skills for Crews – Online & Virtual
Covering the same Learning Objectives as the face-to-face course (above), this course combines online and virtual components providing Crew Members an opportunity for completion in a socially distanced setting.
Completion of this three-module course meets all required ILSC training requirements.
Introduction to Leadership Skills for Ships (ILSS)
ILSS is intended to help Sea Scouts in leadership positions within their ship understand their responsibilities and to equip them with organizational and leadership skills to fulfill those responsibilities. ILSS replaces the Venturing Leadership Skills Course (VLSC) and is a prerequisite for Sea Scouts to participate in the more advanced leadership courses (i.e., National Advanced Youth Leadership Experience (NAYLE) and the Kodiak Challenge).
Welcome to Den Chief Training!
Scouts wishing to become den chiefs need to take this course. The module identifies den chief responsibilities and tasks, and describes the den chief’s relationship to the adult den leaders and how that relates to the den chief’s activities with the den. After finishing the training, den chief candidates receive their certificate of completion.
Venturing Crew Officers Orientation
This training module is geared primarily to Venturing youth that are elected into positions as officers within their Venturing crew, but it can also be used by adult leaders to learn the duties of the officers in the crew. This course is very useful for youth officers to fully understand their roles and responsibilities as it relates to Crew Officers Briefings and Seminars. This course will help the youth develop an annual plan of activities for the crew, as well as acquiring leadership and team-building skills. Estimated time to complete: 45 minutes.
Youth Leadership Growth Opportunities
The Boy Scouts of America provides opportunities for youth to develop and improve their leadership skills in the unit, in the local council, and at national training centers. Click here to find out more about what leadership courses would be of the most benefit to you or your youth.
Venturing Goal Setting & Time Management Training Module
Below is the instructor’s guide for the Venturing Goal Setting and Time Management Training Module. This course will provides a fun, interactive learning experience in learning Time Management in a in a 3 ½ hour time period. The presentation of this module can be split up to accommodated to meet the needs of the crew. Completing this training module will fulfills the Venturing Discovery Award requirement for the goal setting-time management training course.
Mentoring for Venturing
Below is the instructor’s guide for the Mentoring for Venturing. This course will provides a interactive learning experience on Mentoring in a in a 2 hours. The presentation of this module can be split up to accommodated to meet the needs of the crew. Completing this training module will fulfills the Venturing Summit Award requirement for the Mentoring training course.
Kodiak Challenge
The Kodiak Challenge is designed to be an adventure that pushes the boundaries of every participant – one that will encourage you to try new things that may be out of your comfort zone. It is an experience—but one that has its underpinnings in the application of the leadership skills they learned in the Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops or Crews, NYLT, and/or NAYLE. It is, as is all of Scouting, an adventure with a purpose
National Advanced Youth Leadership Experience (NAYLE)
National Advanced Youth Leadership Experience is an exciting program that enhances leadership skills and expands upon the team-building and ethical decision-making skills learned in NYLT. NAYLE emphasizes leadership, teamwork, and selfless service, and uses the core elements of NYLT to help youth internalize and strengthen these skills. The National Advanced Youth Leadership Experience course is available at Philmont and The Summit. The material presented is basically the same at both venues but is site-specific.
Philmont NAYLE
Philmont offers participants an unforgettable backcountry experience where they use their NAYLE leadership skills to resolve exciting and challenging issues. Participants are introduced to and have an opportunity to build upon the legacy of Waite Phillips, the benefactors of Philmont Scout Ranch.
To register for Philmont NAYLE, go to
www.my.scouting.org, and click on the Events Registration tab.
Bechtel Summit NAYLE
The Bechtel Summit offers participants an experience at the newest High Adventure base of the Boy Scouts of America. Participants will use their NYLT leadership skills to resolve exciting and challenging issues.
National Youth Leadership Training
National Youth Leadership Training is an exciting, action-packed program designed for councils to provide youth members with leadership skills and experience they can use in their home troops.
NYLT Leadership Academy
The NYLT Leadership Academy trains youth staff to be top-notch presenters, evaluators, and leaders of their councils’ National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) courses. This intensive one-week course will improve course (NYLT) knowledge and problem-solving skills, which will help them run world-class NYLT programs.
More Information
Scholarship Information
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2020 NYLT Leadership Academy Registration
Powder Horn
Open to both registered adults and youth who are at least 13 and have completed the 8th grade, Powder Horn is a hands-on resource management course designed to give you the contacts and tools necessary to conduct an awesome high-adventure program in your troop, team, crew, or ship. Contact your area training chair for information about upcoming courses in your area.
Hazardous Weather
Hazardous Weather training must be completed by Direct Contact Leaders to be considered position trained. The module presents safety precautions for eight different types of weather, as well as planning, preparation, and traditional weather signs. You will answer questions about the topics after each section. Completion is noted automatically in the BSA training records database and is only available online. Estimated time to complete: 40 minutes.
Venturing Project Management
This training is designed to prepare Venturers to effectively manage projects. It leads them through each essential step, including initiating, planning, executing, controlling, and closing.