National Leadership Seminar (NLS)

The National Leadership Seminar (NLS) is a weekend-long conference that is held on the Regional level. This training seminar puts heavy emphasis on enhancing the leadership skills of participants, with a format that complements National Youth Leadership Training and Woodbadge. This program benefits both youth and adult Arrowmen, providing valuable knowledge that can be brought back to their home lodges, camps, and councils. The skills learned at NLS can be applied both inside and outside of the Scouting program.
Developing Youth Leaders Conference (DYLC)
The Developing Youth Leadership Conference (DYLC) will strengthen an adviser’s capacity to develop youth leadership within the lodge and chapter. Conference topics will include learning how to promote resilience, foster a growth mindset, provide constructive feedback, and create a life-long mentoring relationship. Conference participants will gain insights necessary to successfully mentor youth applying the leadership skills they gained during the National Leadership Seminar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Any Arrowmen is welcome to attend the National Leadership Seminar! While not required, it is recommended that participants are at least 14 years old age, have completed LLD (lodge leadership development), and hold some sort of leadership position within the chapter, lodge, or section. Participants who attend NLS should come prepared to engage in intellectual discussions and the implementation of leadership skills.
Arrowmen who are 21+ years of age are encouraged to take the Developing Youth Leadership Conference. Prior participation in the National Leadership Seminar is encouraged, but is not required.
NLS and DYLC are hosted a few times a year in various locations throughout the Eastern Region. Coming up in 2025, NLS will be held at the following:
- Mobile, Alabama | February 7-9, 2025 | USS Battleship Alabama
- Indianapolis, Indiana | March 21-23, 2025 | Jameson Camp
- Rockville, Rhode Island | October 3-5, 2025 | Camp Yawgoog
- Greensboro, North Carolina | December 5-7, 2025 | Greensboro
In order to register for NLS or DYLC, you will need to log into your NOAERS account. Information about NLS and DYLC will be found underneath the ¨Regional Events¨ tab. Transportation to the course will be your own responsibility. We recommend carpooling with members or your lodge or a few friends!
No matter how much experience you have, there is no doubt that you will find or learn something new. NLS/DYLC is a region wide event, meaning you will get to connect with and meet Arrowmen of varying experiences and backgrounds all the way from Florida to Maine! On top of being a great opportunity to develop relationships with people and make friends, it is also a mentally challenging course. The training offered aim to encourage critical thinking, cultivate a growth mindset, promote resilience, and set you up for success. Due to the many benefits of attending NLS/DYLC, such as the lifelong friends, skills, and memories that come out of it, NLS/DYLC is not something you will regret!
2025 Eastern Region Courses
The Mobile, AL, National Leadership Seminar (NLS) & Developing Youth Leadership Conference (DYLC) will be taking place from Friday, February 7, 2025 at 8:00pm to Sunday, February 9, 2025 at 1:00pm.
The course aims to prepare youth leaders for the future, inside and outside Scouting, and train adults on skills, tools, and attributes of effective advisers.
Register now, here!
The Indianapolis, IN, National Leadership Seminar (NLS) & Developing Youth Leadership Conference (DYLC) will be taking place from Friday, March 21, 2025 at 8:00pm to Sunday, March 23, 2025 at 1:00pm.
The course aims to prepare youth leaders for the future, inside and outside Scouting, and train adults on skills, tools, and attributes of effective advisers.
Register now, here!
The Rockville, RI, National Leadership Seminar (NLS) & Developing Youth Leadership Conference (DYLC) will be taking place from Friday, October 3rd, 2025 at 8:00pm to Sunday, October 5th, 2025 at 1:00pm.
The course aims to prepare youth leaders for the future, inside and outside Scouting, and train adults on skills, tools, and attributes of effective advisers.
Course registration hasn’t opened yet, but check back later for more information!
The Greensboro, NC, National Leadership Seminar (NLS) & Developing Youth Leadership Conference (DYLC) will be taking place from Friday, December 5th, 2025 at 8:00pm to Sunday, December 7th, 2025 at 1:00pm.
The course aims to prepare youth leaders for the future, inside and outside Scouting, and train adults on skills, tools, and attributes of effective advisers.
Course registration hasn’t opened yet, but check back later for more information!