Camping & High Adventure
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LATEST POSTS
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By InquisitiveScouter · Posted
Thank you for your wisdom 😜 Berets are not practical for the field or training environments. Even the military recognizes this. Here's a blurb from an old Army regulation: "Soldiers will not wear the beret in field or training environments, or on deployments, unless authorized by the commander. Additionally, if the commander determines other environments are unsuitable for wear of the beret, such as on work details, the commander may direct soldiers to wear other appropriate headgear." Basically, berets are a decoration. In the immortal words of Sweet Brown, "Ain't nobody got time for that." https://youtu.be/6gLMSf4afzo -
I might add that our troop, being over 100 years old, has accumulated a great many older uniform parts, and we often have youth with variants of two or three, as our closet is the starting point. Most end up with a new one, but a few continue on with just what they can find to fit in the closet. Also, we have a large box of hats and service caps that get used for more formal events at times. When camp was still our thing, the hats went to camp, and flags in evening, and morning had them all wearing the hats or caps. I limited smokey hats to older scouts and adults. Even have one or two of the old green explorer caps. While we have some berets, I avoided them, as we did not have enough to go around. -
100% agree. Changing troop culture is nearly impossible as a new parent. It takes years. ... So for now, ask yourself ... can your son benefit, grow and enjoy the culture that currently exists. Will your scout have a positive scouting experience? Adventure? There is no perfect troop culture, but even a less than ideal scouting troop can be a big positive. Separately, to make change, plan that it takes years. Start by serving the troop that exists now. Build friendships and connections. Over time, other leaders will see your investment in the troop. Once you have positive credibility with the troop, then you can take on roles such as SM/ASM where you can influence the culture. This takes years though. If you push too hard too fast, you will alienate people. Be careful here too. Patrols are guide by the SPL and SM. You risk alienating yourself and causing issues if your words and actions are not aligned with the SM. My apologies if I'm nit picking here. I'm not trying to be a jerk. ... BUT, your son is crossing over. It's his scouting experience. His adventure. You can look for ways you can help the troop. AND, your son will definitely see you value scouting if you volunteer to help. ... "I will be crossing over" is a red flag that always makes me think about does the adult realize the youth scout is to have their own scouting experience. -
Interesting discussion, and it remeinded me of how my older youth stood up for Uniform at camp one year. We had problems with some scouts getting to classes late after morning flags, so the next year, I told them that morning flags could be attended without full uniform if they had some class issues especially in time frames. I thought they would find that agreeable. But my senior scoues informed me that they would go to morning flags in proper uniform and deal with other issues later. So then, I had to scramble to personally be prepared to also be in uniform, then return later for more comfortable and flexible dress in the heat and dust. And that was the rule for the rest of the camp, and for a number later. Sadly now we have no camp, and we struggle to find options while I too have age related issues and am limited. Still, we do try to assure that the youth are neat and proper for formal appearances.
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By InquisitiveScouter · Posted
We are in violent agreement on these points. My OP intent was to point out that, in making so many different sock options, SA (yes, I abbreviate it) is negating the meaning of the word "uniform". Uniforming can, and should, be decided at the Troop level. I am fine with everyone wearing jeans, a t-shirt, and a necker. As long as they are "uniform". Our Troop provides ALL elements of the "official" uniform, albeit gently used. After items are issued, you are expected to wear them according to the uniform inspection checklist. The PLC decides when uniform inspections are to be done. We have about two per year (with prizes!!) If you want something brand new, you'll have to buy that yourself. Scouts and parents are encouraged to have the Scout work to earn the money for uniform items. But no one ever does that in this neck of the woods. When I was a kid, my Dad bought my shirt, neckerchief and slide, a few patches, my Scout Handbook, and my $1 registration fee. He then gave me $3 for gas, and the family lawnmower, and told me I had to pay him back for all those items. In a few weeks, I had that made, and bought my initial round of camping gear, too... And that was in a lower middle class neighborhood. What a great lesson.
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