National Advanced Youth Leadership Experience (NAYLE)

The mission of National Advanced Youth Leadership Experience is to provide Scouts with a Philmont-based wilderness encounter that motivates them to follow a life of helping others succeed based on the values expressed in the Scout Oath and Law.

The Scouts experience such high-adventure activities as COPE, wilderness first aid, a high-level geocache hunt, conservation, Leave No Trace, and a search-and-rescue activity. This is complemented by learning the history and inspiration of the Philmont Scout Ranch as well as a personal journal that focuses on the Scout's leadership skills.

Philmont leadership is committed to making NAYLE a very special experience. The Scouts live in a patrol setting at Rocky Mountain Scout Camp where they use their leadership skills to resolve exciting and challenging backcountry situations. The week concludes with a closing challenge for each Scout to build upon the legacy of Waite Phillips, the benefactor of the Philmont Scout Ranch.

What will the Scouts learn?

• The lessons a Scout will take home from NAYLE include:
• The skill, ability, and motivation to be a dynamic and effective leader gained through advanced, practical applications of NYLT skills
• Innovative techniques to deliver NYLT skills to troops and council staffs
• Nationwide resources including new ideas and contacts that can be gained only through Philmont's unique environment
• Personal written commitment designed to apply fresh skills and ideas to troops, districts, and councils
• Life skills for now and the future

How can they use this to support our unit's program in a troop, district, or council setting?

NAYLE is not just for NYLT staff! This course is designed for all troop leaders as well as those aspiring to district and council staff. The skills they learn will make them of much greater value for the troop as well as create the best possible camp or NYLT staff. The Scouts come home brimming with enthusiasm for the best in service-based leadership to their team, whatever that team may be.

How can they use this at home, school, or church?

Just as with NYLT, all of these skills are applicable in all walks of a Scout's life.

How can I help the Scout become the best leader he can be?

Simple—give him the opportunity to attend NAYLE. Strong leaders are made, not born. Allow your Scout to make the most of himself at NAYLE.

How Is the Youth Leadership Training Continuum Like Adult Training?

Historically, the Wood Badge course was patterned after the youth Junior Leader Training course. The adult training converted to more modern leadership techniques and skills in 2001, with the rollout of the Wood Badge for the 21st Century course. In 2004, NYLT followed suit, completely revamping its tone to encompass the newer "shared leadership" model that is proving to be so effective in team development and accomplishing visions, goals, and plans. The new course introduced the concepts of EDGE(TM) and the toolbox of leadership skills. In 2006, the circle was complete and now Wood Badge is fully aligned with the youth training, the Scoutmaster Handbook, and the Boy Scout Handbook.