Purpose

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 Junior Leadership Training 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.

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

Who Should Attend?

It is recommended that youth participants be at least 15 years of age or a lodge officer. Completion of the Lodge Leadership Development 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 it is designed to be fun, the course challenges participants mentally as well. Participants should be developmentally, physically, and mentally prepared to actively engage in an exhausting, invigorating weekend.

2015 National Leadership Seminar Dates

April 17-19, 2015 – Pittsburgh, PA

November 13-15, 2015 – Alpine, NJ