The leadership ladder
- 1Start in the troop — take ILST (Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops) to learn your role and the EDGE method.
- 2Serve in a position — apply the skills as SPL, PL, and other leaders.
- 3Attend NYLT — the council's week-long leadership course (older scouts).
- 4Go further (optional) — NAYLE at a high-adventure base for advanced training.
- 5Bring it back — use the skills to lead your patrol and troop well.
The courses
- ILST — a troop-level course teaching youth leaders their roles and basic leadership skills (including the Teaching EDGE); often a prerequisite for NYLT.
- NYLT — a council-run, roughly week-long leadership course for older youth (commonly First Class and about 13+); teaches vision and goal-setting, team development, communication, and leading a team.
- NAYLE — the National Advanced Youth Leadership Experience, offered at the national high-adventure bases.
- Wood Badge — the adult leadership course, separate from youth training.
Notes
- Leadership done well is safer — trained youth leaders run better, safer meetings and outings.
- A ladder, not a shortcut — training complements real service in a position; both matter.
- Prerequisites vary — age and rank requirements and course length are set by BSA and the council; verify current specifics.
Going deeper
- Title, then training. A position gives a scout a role; ILST and NYLT give them the skills to actually do it well.
- ILST → NYLT → NAYLE. The youth leadership ladder: troop course, then council week, then advanced national experience.
- Wood Badge is for adults. The famous adult leadership course is separate — youth have their own track.
Official source
Youth Training — Scouting America →ILST is the troop course; NYLT and NAYLE specifics (age/rank prerequisites, course length, structure) are general — verify against the current program pages before relying on them.