June 26, 2020
NYLT Cancelled for 2020
The Muskingum Valley Council, BSA is cancelling its National Youth Leadership Training course this summer. This was a difficult decision, and was not made lightly, but this decision was necessary:

  • Due to the Covid-19 virus all NYLT staff training weekends had to be cancelled. These training weekends are required by the National Council. Each member of the youth staff is required to undergo close to 75 hours of staff training each year spread over three weekends at camp. Without a properly trained staff it is impossible to present the quality program each of our Scouts has the right to expect.
  • When we applied to the National Council for authorization to run an NYLT course we pledged to present the program according to the National curriculum with no changes or alterations. In addition to presentations about team building, conflict resolution, vision, etc., NYLT includes projects and games giving Scouts an opportunity to practice these skills. These game and projects provide practical, hands-on experience, but require interaction that is inconsistent with the interventions we need to take in the era of Covid-19. There is no substitute for these games and projects. Without these games and projects the course would suffer significantly, Scouts would be short-changed, and the obligation to the National Council would not be fulfilled.

The Muskingum Valley Council is committed to offering NYLT next summer (probably August 1-August 6). Efforts are already underway to start putting together this 2021 course. Please encourage your Scouts to begin planning for this outstanding leadership opportunity.
 
Bill Shriver – 2020 NYLT Course Director.
Wood Badge Canceled for 2020
  It goes without saying that 2020 has been an extremely challenging year and those challenges have forced us to reconsider our plans for this year’s course. With that being said we have made the decision to not hold this year’s course. There were three factors that played into this decision.

  • First off, we need a minimum of 30 participants to hold a course and as of the writing of this we have a third of those registered. There is no doubt that the corona virus factors heavily into this both in limiting our ability to recruit and in concerns potential attendees may have.
  • Secondly, every course deserves and must have a well developed staff and since this all began we have not been able to conduct proper staff development. I would not consider putting on an ill prepared course as that would be a huge disservice to you, the Scouters that make it all happen in the council.
  • Finally, we have no idea what “social distancing” expectations will be going into the course and with the nature of Wood Badge it would not be possible to properly conduct the course with many restrictions in place and still give you the experience you deserve. 

I am submitting a request to hold a course this spring, if approved I will provide you with the dates of that course and I sincerely hope to see you there.

Yours in Scouting,

Eric Udischas
Course Director
Wood Badge C4-467-20