September 6-8, 2024  |  Camp Strake

The Order of the Arrow is committed to providing quality in-person trainings for Arrowmen. National Leadership Seminar (NLS) and Developing Youth Leadership Conference (DYLT) are run by each region and held several times a year across the country.   

The National Leadership Seminar (NLS) is a weekend training program focusing on leadership development. Run by the Region Chief and his Advisers, it provides an in-depth look at leadership skills and techniques. An NLS discusses how these skills can be applied in your role in the OA and in other aspects of your life. The National Leadership Seminar is a weekend conference on the skills and attributes of leadership. It is intended primarily to enhance the leadership skills of the Order of the Arrow’s key youth and adult members as they seek to improve their services to the Boy Scouts of America and the greater community. The weekend format is designed to complement the longer, more detailed Wood Badge and National Youth Leader Training (NYLT) Programs. Near the end of the seminar, participants make a contract with themselves to apply the skills studied in the seminar on projects in their lodge, council, and community.

Learn More about NLS 

The Developing Youth Leadership Conference (DYLC) focuses on the tools every adult needs to mentor and develop our outstanding youth leaders. It is built on the concepts our members learn at the National Leadership Seminar, and it uses the NLS terminology as participants learn new tools and techniques of how to mentor and develop our outstanding youth leaders. Prior attendance at a NLS is encouraged, but it is not required for the DYLC. Adults who are unsure whether NLS or DYLC might be best for them should talk to their lodge adviser for guidance or e-mail gateway-training@oa-bsa.org. This is the most unique and rewarding adviser training offered in years. Consider encouraging another adviser in your lodge to come with you and make it even more special. As a suggestion, lodge advisers might consider bringing a couple of their key chapter advisers with them as well. Come join us for a conference that might just be life-changing for you, your family, and the Order.

Learn More about DYLC  

Register

Registration is a two-step process.  The registration fee covers meals and accommodations. 

Please understand that, by submitting a registration form (step 1), a participant slot in a course where slots are limited has been reserved. As such, participants are expected to pay the fee (step 2). If a registration needs to be canceled, please notify the NLS adviser. Canceling within two weeks of the course and not having a replacement attendee will result in the lodge being billed as accommodations, food, etc. have already been secured for the reservation.

Registration is a two-step process:

Step 1: Register through the OA national/region portal  
Step 2: Payment through the lodge 

Step 1: Register      Step 2: Payment (for Colonneh Lodge members only; contact lodge chief or adviser for details)

What to Bring

• Field uniform OA sash
• Copy of the Annual Health and Medical Record (Parts A and B)
• Notebook and pen
• Water bottle
• Personal items (e.g., toothbrush, deodorant, medications, towel, shampoo)
• Twin sheets or sleeping bag, pillow
• Money for the trading post (optional)*
• Money to donate to the Maury Clancy Indian Campership Fund during the interfaith worship service (optional)
• Excitement and willingness to learn!

*Participants will have an opportunity to purchase special region and lodge OA items, such as t-shirts, belt buckles, fleece jackets and vests, special NLS golf shirts, and other patches and unique OA items.

About NLS

Purpose of the NLS

The National Leadership Seminar (NLS) is a weekend conference focusing on the skills and characteristics of leadership. It is intended primarily to enhance the leadership skills of the Order of the Arrow’s key youth and adult members, as they seek to improve their service to the Boy Scouts of America and the greater community.

The NLS will provide participants with:

1. A challenging, inspiring, and enjoyable learning experience
2. A better understanding of the skills of leadership, and how to apply them
3. A better understanding of themselves and of other people
4. A realization that, with practice and work, everyone can improve their leadership skills
5. An understanding that leadership skills work in tandem with one another
6. An understanding that different situations require the application of different leadership skills
7. A model with which to evaluate themselves and others in the use of leadership skills

Each NLS is delivered by a training team selected and approved by the Region Key 3, and includes former and current Section and National Officers of the Order of the Arrow.

Who Should Attend NLS: Every Arrowman will benefit in some way from attending NLS. Youth participants should be at least 14 years of age or a lodge officer. Completion of a Lodge Leadership Development (LLD) course is desirable. The seminar is an intensive experience in learning about the nature of leadership and practicing some of the skills that a leader uses. While fun, the course challenges participants mentally as well. Participants should be developmentally, physically, and mentally prepared to engage actively in an exhausting, invigorating weekend.

Lodge officers, key youth lodge committee chairs, and up-and-coming lodge youth leadership are encouraged to attend. In addition, selected adults with key roles in lodge leadership are encouraged to attend, as they will better understand their role as advisers to youth leadership after studying the leadership skills presented. The course is designed for one-time participation and is limited to 60 participants per NLS. As such, the region recommends limiting adult participation to one adult per three youth participants. 

NLS Weekend Schedule: The NLS is a full weekend course designed to impart an understanding of leadership skills in a building block fashion. As such, participants are expected to be in attendance for the entire weekend – missing the beginning or any other part of the weekend would significantly detract from the overall learning experience.

Each NLS begins with check-in on Friday, between 6 – 8 pm. Participants are expected to arrive during that time interval. There will be a cracker barrel Friday night, but a Friday evening meal will not be served, so eat before arriving. The NLS weekend will conclude at 1:00 pm on Sunday, after the closing banquet / lunch. Please make travel plans accordingly.

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