Training
Come join us for a conference that might just be life-changing for you, your family and the Order.
National Leadership Seminar (NLS)
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. You will learn 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. 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.
Adults age 21 and older are eligible to attend the Developing Youth Leadership Conference (DYLC) and do not necessarily need to have previously attended NLS but it is recommended. Adults who are currently or will soon hold a lodge-level or chapter-level adviser position are encouraged to attend DYLC. The NLS training is open to anyone seeking to hone their leadership skills applicable to Scouting as well as daily life.
Developing Youth Leadership Conference (DYLC)
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 training@nullwestern.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.
Registration will begin at 5:00 p.m. Friday evening. First NLS session will start promptly at 8:00 p.m. and the first DYLC session will start promptly at 7:30 pm. The seminar will conclude at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday afternoon after a closing recognition banquet lunch. Participation for the entire weekend through Sunday is required for recognition of completion of the NLS and DYLC courses; please do not register unless you are committed to attending Friday evening through Sunday in entirety.
Participants are on their own for their Friday evening meal. The first meal for the participants at all events will be breakfast on Saturday morning, with the exception of cracker barrel Friday night.
February 19-21, 2021 – Honolulu, HI
- DYLC ONLY (max capacity 36)
- Price: TBD
- Registration will be up on a later date
- Camp Pupukea – Honolulu, HI
- Required: Medical Form Part A & B
March 26-28, 2021 – Albuquerque, NM
- NLS (max capacity 96) & DYLC (max capacity 36)
- Price: $195
- Register Here, then pay your council/lodge afterward
- Camp Oro Quay – Sandia Park, NM
- Required: Medical Form Part A & B
April 23-25, 2021 – Boring, OR
- NLS (max capacity 96) & DYLC (max capacity 36)
- Price: TBD
- Registration will be up on a later date
- Camp Kuratli – Boring, OR
- Required: Medical Form Part A & B
August 13-15, 2021 – Fairbanks, AK
- NLS ONLY (max capacity 96)
- Price: TBD
- Registration will be up on a later date
- Lost Lake Scout Camp – Fairbanks, AK
- Required: Medical Form Part A & B
November 19-21, 2021 – Area 3
- NLS (max capacity 96) & DYLC (max capacity 36)
- Price: TBD
- Registration will be up on a later date
- Location: TBD in Area 3
- Required: Medical Form Part A & B
April 1-3, 2022 – Orange, CA
- NLS (max capacity 96) & DYLC (max capacity 36)
- Price: TBD
- Registration will be up on a later date
- BSA Irvine Ranch Outdoor Education Center – Orange, CA
- Required: Medical Form Part A & B
Registration & Payment Instructions
All participants must register themselves using the online registration links above. The national OA office will bill councils for all registrations. Participants are responsible for paying their lodge directly for the NLS or DYLC registration fees. Some lodges and sections provide scholarships; check with your local lodge chief or lodge adviser for details and specific instructions on submitting your payment, if applicable.
Cancellation Policy:
Cancellation requests must be submitted to the Western Region Training Coordinator via e-mail at training@nullwestern.oa-bsa.org. The participant’s council will not be billed for the seminar fees if the cancellation request is received at least 21 days prior to the start of the event. Within 21 days of the event, registrations are transferable to others who are not already registered, but fees will still be billed in full. To transfer a registration, e-mail training@nullwestern.oa-bsa.org for instructions and the name of the replacement. NLS participants can be swapped for DYLC participants and vice versa, youth or adult.
Don’t Forget: All participants need to bring a sleeping bag and uniform to the event.