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.