Re: Blue Neckerchief with World Crest
settummanque, or blackeagle (blkeagle@DYNASTY.NET)
Thu, 25 Dec 1997 09:47:51 -0600
Janet-Claire asked us all:
>Our Webelos Den has recently been intrigued by a dark
>blue scout neckerchief with the World Crest patch.
>Is this an optional neckerchief that anyone can wear?
> No one at the Scout Shop seems to know, so I told
>the boys that I would ask the experts!
The "World Crest" patch (the BSA emblem encircled by a rope with a square
knot at the bottom) isn't a "World Crest" emblem, Janet-Claire. It's the
BSA's International Activity emblem, a emblem designed by the BSA
when the World Crest was something that had to be earned, not something
everyone got to wear.
The International Activities Patch, and both neckerchiefs (I think you're
talking about the one that is silk-screened, right?? There's another
version with the Patch sewn onto the backside of the neckerchief over the
silk-screening) are available to Cubs, Scouts, Explorers, and Scouters that
have taken part in an approved "international activity or event". Your
Council, not National, now makes that determination as to what events are
deemed "international events or activities" and your Council's International
Representative and Council Scout Executive are supposed to notify National's
International Division with information about that event.
The short answer, Janet-Claire, is "only if your Cubs have participated in
some kind of "International Activity" or event. They can then purchase the
neckerchief and wear it". So why don't your Council's Scout Shop{tm} people
know about it?? Simply because they get sent from National Supply all kinds
of things to sell....and they are hoping that some of your fellow Scouters
as well as some of those curious Cubs will purchase it and take it home! At
this time of year, Councils and Scout Shops{tm} get sent all kinds of things
which have been stacking up in the Distribution Center's warehouses...and
lots of Councils don't have a idea why they are being sent those items or
even what they are for!
Hope that satisfies your Cub's curiousity....oh, I forgot. The
"International Actvity or event" doesn't HAVE to involve "visits by foriegn
Scouts or Scouters" or "exchanges between units from other nations" to
qualify. If your Council has a International activities display, or display
other emblems from other Scouting countries, those can be used as valid
"International Activities" and therefore anyone attending that event can
purchase or get the International Activity Patch (a temporary patch worn on
the right pocket) and/or the International Activities neckerchiefs.
Hope this all helps, and Happy Holidays, Janet-Claire!!
Settummanque!
(c) 1997 Mike Walton ("no such thing as strong coffee,...") (502) 827-9201
(settummanque, the blackeagle) http://dynasty.net/users/blkeagle
241 Fairview Dr., Henderson, KY 42420-4339 blkeagle@dynasty.net
kyblkeagle@aol.com or waltonm@hq.21taacom.army.mil
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