The National Advanced youth Leadership Experience (NAYLE) Website has been updated with information for the 2009 courses.

What is NAYLE?
The National Advanced Youth Leadership Experience (NAYLE) is a course offered by the Philmont Training Center that is based at the Rocky Mountain Scout Camp.

The Course is designed to provide Scouts with a Philmont based wilderness experience that motivates them to follow a life of helping others succeed based on the values of the Scout Oath and Law. Scouts will camp in a patrol setting where they will use leadership skills to overcome exciting and challenging back country situations.

NAYLE will equip youth leaders to be better Troop Leaders, NYLT staff members and/or superior camp staff. It will help guide a Scouts’ journey in leadership service to others, able to develop all members of whichever team they lead. It provides life skills for now and the future.

2009 NAYLE Sessions:
Nayle Session #1: June 14 – June 20, 2009
Nayle Session #2: June 21 – June 27, 2009
Nayle Session #3: June 27 – July 3, 2009
Nayle Session #4: July 4 – July 10, 2009
Nayle Session #5: July 12 – July 18, 2009
Nayle Session #6: July 19 – July 25, 2009
Nayle Session #7: July 26 – August 1, 2009
Nayle Session #8: August 2 – August 8, 2009

Basic Participation Requirements: (See application for complete list)
- Scouts must be 14 but not yet 18.
- Scouts must hold a Troop leadership position.
- Scouts must have completed either NYLT or JLTC.
- Cost for the program is $340. (Does not include transportation)
- Council Scout Executive must approve (sign) your application.

You can learn more or download an application at the National Advanced Youth Leadership Experience (NAYLE) Website.

The National Order of the Arrow (OA) Planning meeting is currently taking place down in Dallas, Texas (TX). Part of the meeting is the election of the 2009 National Officers. These young men will represent the Order of the Arrow across the country for the next year, and will have an integral part of running the 2009 National Order of the Arrow Conference (NOAC) and planning the OA’s presence at the 2010 National Scout Jamboree.

Here are the 2009 election results coming out of Dallas:

2009 National Chief: Jack O’Neill
Jack O’Neill is an Eagle Scout and Vigil Honor member from Columbia, Missouri.

Jack is a member of the Shawnee Lodge #51, Greater St Louis Area Council and has recently served as Section C-5C Chief.

According to the Central Region Order of the Arrow website, Jack enjoys playing tennis, listening to music, camping, hanging out with friends, flag football, working on camp staff, working out, and playing basketball.

2009 National Vice Chief: Dan Higham
Dan Higham is an Eagle Scout and Vigil Honor member from Vestal, New York in the Northeast Region.

Dan is a member of the Otahnagon Lodge, Baden Powell Council and has recently served as Section NE-3A Chief.

According to the Northeast Region Order of the Arrow website, Dan is attending Oswego State University majoring in Human Resource Management. Dan served on the national program committee to develop the program for Arrowcorps5 as well as being the Youth program director at the Shasta-Trinity site. Dan enjoys basketball, working out, golf, relaxing, and fishing.

2009 Central Region Chief: Michael Beckman
Michael Beckman has been elected the 2009 Central Region Chief. Michael is an Eagle Scout and Vigil Honor member of Kuh-Ni-Eh Lodge, Dan Beard Council. You can learn more about Michael on the Central Region Order of the Arrow website.

2009 Northeast Region Chief: Ryan Hay
Ryan Hay has been elected the 2009 Northeast Region Chief. Ryan is an Eagle Scout and Vigil Honor member of Witauchsoman Lodge #44, Minsi Trails Council. You can learn more about Ryan on the Northeast Region Order of the Arrow Website.

2009 Southern Region Chief: Mark Norris
Mark Norris has been elected the 2009 Southern Region Chief. Mark is an Eagle Scout and Vigil Honor member of Woa Cholena Lodge, Mobile Area Council. You can learn more about Mark on the Southern Region Order of the Arrow website.

2009 Western Region Chief: David Harrell
David Harrell has been elected the 2009 Western Region Chief. David is a a member of Kola Lodge, Longs Peak Council. You can learn more about David on the Western Region Order of the Arrow website.

Congratulations to the 2009 National Order of the Arrow Officers!

Gerald R. Ford Council is able to thank the heavy snow in Michigan for making a tough property decision easier. The Council was debating whether or not they should expand the main dining hall at their Boy Scout Camp, Gerber Scout Camp.

On Wednesday morning, the dining hall collapsed under the weight of the heavy snow. No one was in the building when it collapsed. The only portion that is still standing is the kitchen area.

The current dining hall was build in 1997 and could seat 480 people. The new dining hall, which the Council plans to have finished by June will seat approximately 600 people.