What to do with extra Pins and Patches
Richard L. Axtman (axtman@CASTLE.DRC.COM)
Mon, 30 Sep 1996 08:13:38 -0400
I have been following the tread on SCOUTS-L about the
problem of where to wear extra pins and patches.
It can be easily solved by using "Red Award Vests" for them.
You can wear pins and medals on the front of the vest and sew
patches all over the rest of it. In the old days of scouting
we use to call these vests our "Brag Rags." I proudly wore one
as a youth and still have it today.
These "Red Vests" can be worn by Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and
Adult Cub Scout and Boy Scout Leaders.
Buy Them Already Made
---------------------
You'll find them in the 1996 BSA Catalog, see item number
T537 for youth sizes (selling for $10.95) and item T539 adult
sizes (selling for $13.95). See pages BS 8 and CS 3 in the
1996 BSA Catalog for pictures.
Make Your Own Vests
-------------------
You can even make your own for about half the cost.
Simply buy some red wool cloth and red thread at a local
sewing store. Make a "one piece" pattern from a shirt or
by tracing a person's outline on a brown paper bag. Cut
out the cloth using the pattern you made. Sew the two
shoulder seems together either by hand or by machine.
Then you can add two rivets and a leather thong to close
the front of the vest if you like.
Make it a Pack or Troop Project
-------------------------------
Get all your members to make one. Ask some mothers
who can sew good to help out. It's an easy project
to make and can really inspire the ones who make their
own vest and get to wear all their awards on them.
Otherwise these awards would be sitting at home in
their room where no one sees them.
Inspire your boys and leaders by helping them to show
off a little with a vest, it's worth the work. In the
end the payoff will be more participation at meetings
and events and prouder Scouts.
Best In Scouting To You,
Richard Axtman
Cubmaster, Pack 6
Lowell, Massachusetts
e-mail: axtman@castle.drc.com
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City | 
