Here! Here!

The closer the leader to the Troops (literally), the more effective and passionate they become. I doubt this will change in any organization. I remember as a scout in the '70's, my leaders lamenting the foolhardy decisions of National and Council. This was especially true when the implemented the "new" scouting program that drove away thousands of young men, and from which BSA has yet to recover even though they reverted their program to the old way (mostly).

They have also lost focus. What most people refer to as "Scouting," is now known as "Traditional Scouting." The wholly owned subsidiary "Learning for Life" program run through urban public schools has taken much of BSA's resources away from Boy Scouts. I also beleive (but am not 100%) sure that most if not all moneys that still come into BSA from the United Way are earmarkd for Learning for Life explicitly.

Getting back on topic (hopefully), It's through individual efforts of the troop leaders teaching skills and information, such as we learn here, that really makes the difference. I will continue to promote the knowledge and product tips gleaned from ETS. The BSA Supplied Division and even Philmont's High Adventure store, Tooth of Time Traders, are not much more than expensive souviner shops.