07/02/2025
NYLT Leadership Academy Sacramento 2025 - Leadership Through Change
On June 29th, 2025 the Leadership Academy Sacramento course based in Northern California was gearing up for registration trail as 4 wildfires sparked near camp. The camp was placed on “Watch Duty” as the staph prepared for the incoming participants. In only a matter of minutes, we were alerted to evacuate the area and seek shelter offsite. The eager staph suddenly had to leave the camp and all their belongings in a moments notice.
As everyone met in an offsite parking lot, the remainder of the participants joined the ranks and there was a course to be had. With no materials and next to no personal gear, a decision was made to make the drive down to Sacramento to the Golden Empire Council’s (GEC) main office.
This is where the NYLT Leadership Academy was able to utilize the skills they teach and make do with what they had. They made the situation a success and were able to carry out every single part of the program without any of the materials they had spent days preparing. Participants were led through games in between office cubicles, campfires in conference rooms, and spent the night camping on commercial-grade carpet.
Luckily, there was assistance available. Many locals reached out to their home troops and council staff to provide as much as they could in order to assist in housing 35 people. The Red Cross was alerted and they were able to donate plenty blankets and comfort kits.
24 hours after the evacuation, the notice was lifted at 65% containment. We then returned to camp to continue our program.
Throughout, we saw smiling faces and enthusiastic staff. Everyone’s support provided these youth an experience that would be memorable while upholding the values of the NYLT Leadership Academy.
We’d like to thank everybody who made it possible to continue our course, the parents who drove, the volunteers and staff from the GEC for opening their doors, the locals who provided sleeping equipment, and the American Red Cross for providing comfort kits and blankets. This would not have been possible without our Scouting Family.