Open Discussion - Program

If the Scouts and parents and (?)Leaders are properly registered, the Council at least should have everyone's email and USPS addresses. Send the info directly to them. 

The Aims & Methods has a lot to do with it, but then what do you do when the SM insists its a youth led troop when its obviously not. Or, their idea of the Patrol Method is to mix up patrols (which is clearly discouraged in the troop leadership guides). The reason for refusing NYLT is the scouts might learn how BSA wants troops to function, not how the SM thinks it should work. 

As long as the troop is using the methods of Scouting and following the "rules" regarding youth protection, guide to advancement etc... I see ultimate leeway. The council and district events are not necessary. Whether or not the troop is actually providing a true scouting program via the methods is a different question altogether.

Give me your opinions on how much leeway is appropriate for troops to "customize" the scouting program for their troop. Preferably real-world examples would be good: what you think is acceptable and what is not. Its an open-ended question. Those of you on the district/council end, what did you do to correct? I know "training, training, training" but I find some unit leaders (am I alone in despising the term "leaders" applied to Scouters?) already know it all and think they have a better way.  I'm dealing with a few troops now how have isolated themselves from the district. I understand that you cannot force a troop to participate in district and council events, but too me, this should be a red flag. Got another troop, same district, almost as bad, and actively refuse to send youth to council's NYLT. I'm convinced the SM of that troop is a narcissist, and gaslighting most of the parents, adult volunteers about how scouting works. Got on my radar because one of the parent's is an Eagle and decided to go around the SM to get his kid into NYLT. Problem is the only other troop that family could transfer to is the other one (nothing else nearby.) Very frustrating.   

But they were. If you look at the monthly reports, put out by the settlement trust it's very easy to do the math.