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.

National Leadership Seminars run from Friday - 7:00 p.m. to Sunday - 12:30 p.m. They are held at different locations across the Central Region on a rotating basis. See the calendar for specific dates and locations.

Cost: Between $100 and $200 (depending on food and location costs) for youth, $10.00 more for adults includes lodging for two nights, cracker barrels, meals from Saturday breakfast through Sunday lunch, seminar handouts, certificate, and seminar recognition(s).

• April 20-22, 2012
  Camp Cherry, Central City, IA
• October 5-7, 2012
  Camp Lazarus, Delaware, OH
• November 2-4, 2012
  Heartland Conference Center, Parkville, MO

It is recommended that youth participants be at least 15 years of age or a lodge officer. Completion of the Lodge Leadership Development Program 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 developed mentally, physically, and mentally prepared to actively engage in an exhausting, invigorating weekend.

The course is limited to a maximum of 60 participants; therefore, normally no more than 12 should be registered per Lodge. The course is designed for one-time participation; repeat attendance is not encouraged. More youth (under age 21) than adults should attend. It is understood that these guidelines will have to be interpreted flexibly to solve transportation and youth protection issues. Adults should not attend if they are not driving youth members.

Registration for any National Leadership Seminar is available through printed form downloaded from this web site or available through the Regional office. Registrations for the first 60 attendees will be accepted; after that, registrations will be returned. A council may send no more than 8 arrowmen, as long as the number of youth is greater than or equal to the number of adults. Excess reservations will be placed on a waiting list, if the seminar is not full 30 days in advance, reservations will be taken from the waiting list. Seminars fill very fast.

Registrations will not be accepted at the door.

If interested in attending an NLS, contact the Lodge Chief

Sleeping bags or bedding and your own personal items (towels, soap, etc.) will be needed. Bring a flashlight. Full Scout Uniform and OA Sash are required for the weekend. You may wish to bring extra money as the Central Region OA Trading Post with T-shirts, pins, patches, etc., will be available.