ExperiencedUniforms

Hi Sourgum:

You are right that the BSA uniform pants are costly and that they aren't designed for outdoor activities. I think that the National Supply attempted to design a uniform that would be as best a cross-functional uniform as possible. They probobly looked at the design from the standpoint of when the boy would actually use the uniform pants; during ceremonies and events where many people would see them. I think they designed the pants to look nice, and not as an outdoor uniform.

I recently heard of a parent complaining that they spent $500 for hockey equipment for their son to play one season of hockey. I wish I had that budget for Scouting. I tend to waste my spare money on food and shelter.

I am sure that every single Scout and Scouter has his/her own opinion as to the design of the uniform and why their design is more appropriate. It would be difficult to please everyone. I think that they got a lot of feedback about the removal of the cargo pocket on the pant leg, so they brought that back with the little coin pocket on the front of the pants. I would guess that they had to weigh cost into the formula. The result is rather disappointing. My personal preference is to wear a belt or back pack to store kit, rather than my pants pockets. That's just me, however. I know some people like having 30# of extra junk in their pockets.

My advise, FWIIW, is to buy the pants YOU feel comfortable wearing in the woods, and wear them. I cannot stand the conversion pants--the hem irritates my legs when walking up hills. My solution is to bring lightweight exercise pants along and when it gets too cool to wear shorts, I slip the long pants over the shorts.

If you want the BSA pants, wear them to functions where the general public will see you; Unit ceremonies, community events, Jamboree, etc. When you are really doing ScOuting, wear your comfortable camping pants.

Keep on Scoutin' ora

Hi Harv and yaworski:

Yaworski has some great tips about sewing. I apologize about the bad link; Yahoo has restricted the direct linking of images from their web pages. I created a sewing page with the image and the text on how to sew the patch. It can be found at:

http://www.geocities.com/o_sheffler/eux/sewing.htm

I've also compiled a page on how to shorten long sleeve shirts to look like the BSA style of short sleeve cuff. This info can be found at http://www.geocities.com/o_sheffler/experien3.html#shorten

Keep on Scoutin -- ora

Hi Harv:

Congratulations on your son's achievement. Sewing is not as hard as it is made out to be. The quickest way is to use a machine. They are fairly easy to use, you might register for a class at your local adult-ed training school. You can pick one up at a garage sale for under 30 bucks sometimes.

If you don't have the time or don't want a machine, the whip stitch is the easiest way I've found to apply patches to cloth. You will need a medium sewing needle, thread, scissors, and a thimble is helpful. Begin by threading the needle with about 24 inches of thread. This will give you 12 inches on either side of the needle. Tie an overhand knot in the loose ends of the thread opposite the needle. Place the patch on the cloth and pin (or staple) it in place. Push the needle from the back of the shirt through the cloth and the patch. Gently pull the thread through the cloth until the knot is touching the cloth. Bring the needle around the edge of the patch and back through the cloth. Gently pull the thread tight. Place the point of the needle about 1/8 of an inch away from the first stitch along the edge of the patch, and repeat the process until you have circled the patch once. Be very careful to avoid knoting the thread as you sew; try to keep the thread taught. If you run out of thread before you are finished, tie an overhand knot in the thread as close to the material as possible, and then cut the thread. Cut an additional 24 inches of thread, rethread the needle, and continue until you have circled the patch. Tie off, and then cut the thread. I've created a crude drawing and posted it at http://www.geocities.com/o_sheffler/eux/sewing.gif

Remove your pins (or staples) and you are set.

You don't need many stitches to hold the patch on the uniform. as little as six stitches per inch will keep the patch in place for the amount of time your son will be wearing the blue shirt. I have seen bobcat badges last four years with only the four corners tacked down. I am sure that the shirt never saw the inside of a washing machine, however .

It would be double-good if you can teach your son to do his own patch-sewing. Good luck.

Keep on Scoutin ora

Hi Scoutmom:

Sounds like you had the makings of a great weekend until the beer showed up.

It is unfortunate that your CM did not support you. I agree with what the others have stated. Work it out on a local level. Talk with or write a letter to the CM. Tell him of your concerns, and that no alcohol is permitted on BSA property. If it was discovered, the ranger could have the parent or even the unit removed. Remind him that the basis for Scouting is to teach youth good moral behavior and ethics-based decision-making. If the adult leaders dont set a proper example by following the rules, it is ludicrous to expect the youth to obey the rules.

You were very patient with the woman who opened the beer in front of you. That was extremely disrespectful and in no way adheres to any Scouting method. She owes you an apology. It may not come, as it sounds like this persons empathy level is very low. I am sure that meetings will be tense for a while; I hope that the boys dont catch on. If there is escalation of hostile behavior, I recommend locating a new unit, and you should make it known to the other parents and the charter organization why you are leaving. Dont blame anyone, but state that you dont feel this unit is being run in accordance with the policies of the BSA. Other parents may or may not choose to move with you. If there are no other units, start a Lone Scout Den, or even a new unit.

Good luck, tell us how it goes. You have more support here.

Keep on Scoutin ora

Howdy:

If you are not satisfied with your purchase, BSA Supply is obligated to replace the item or refund your purchase price. If your local store won't cooperate, call the national number at 1-800-323-0732.

Keep on Scoutin'

Dear Scoutmom:

I apologize if I offended you. It definitely was not my intent. The last statement was intended as humor. Please remember that as Scouters, we are here for the fun of it. It is difficult to read the intonation in messages on posting boards. It is impossible to see that I was smiling when I wrote it. The 8) is an emoticon that indicates I am smiling.

When I read E-mail or Internet bulletin board postings, I try to follow a bit of advice I was given years ago; Always look for the best intent. I try to focus on the positive aspect of the message, and read the negative as mis-communication.

You are absolutely right. I don't know anything about you. All I had to go by was "I don't really care what it does to the shirt." Can you see how I might mis-interpret that statement? I tried to Do My Best to communicate that the first boy to wear a uniform is not always the last. I guess that I missed the mark. I was taught that as a Scout, we are all friends. I overstepped my bounds to think that you would read my message as humor.

Thank you for donating your out-grown uniforms to your unit. I appreciate it very much. Personally, I have repaired, mended, cut the sleeves off of, replaced front pockets, and spent hours trying to remove glue residue from shirts that would be perfect otherwise. My intent is to inform that glue and/or iron-on patches ruin the material underneath. If it is used on patches that will be on the shirt forever; no problem. If it is used for rank or temporary patches, it leaves residue.

Thank you for your service to youth.

Keep on Scoutin' -ora

Hi Scoutmom:

In reply to your statement: "I haven't tried taking them off the shirt and I don't anticipate taking them off, so I don't really care what it does to the shirt. He will get a new shirt when he moves to Boy Scouts."

I would like to affirm that ironing the patches on your son's uniform will work well for him. What are you going to do with the shirt when he outgrows it? If you are a conscientious Scouter, you may recycle it and donate it to a unit or boy who is in need. When patches are sewn on, they come off relatively easily, and don't leave a residue. When they are bonded with glue or by heat, the glue is very difficult to remove, and most often cannot. The new wearer is stuck with discolored places on his shirt.

If you are not planning to recycle your shirt, we havent done well in teaching you proper Scouting 8).

Keep on Scoutin

Hi All:

Please don't glue or iron on the patches. It ruins the shirt.

If you absolutely cannot sew, there is an iron-on product found at all sewing stores, Wally Mart, and most craft stores that carry cloth. It is a low-temperature sheet of plastic that can be trimmed to the size of your patch. It will hold the patch well, and even through a few years washing. The nice part is that it can be peeled off with minimal damage to the shirt.

Of course, the best method is to sew them on. Machines are nice, make quick work of the job, but good sewing can be done with needle and thread. It only takes a few stitches to keep the patch in place, maybe 6 per inch, or even four per inch.

I learned from another list that you can use a machine to sew patches on pockets by turning the pocket inside out. Of course, I prefer to sew the pocket shut, it keeps the boys from putting stuff in the pocket that shouldnt go.

Keep on Scoutin'

ora

Howdy all:

I have a small uniform bank in the Lakewood, CO area.

I have blue and tan shirts, pants, shorts, neckerchiefs, some belts, hats, socks, and other items available at half of retail or less. Please take a look at http://www.geocities.com/o_sheffler/experien.html for addional information.

I will also sew your insignia on uniforms purchased from EUX, and all items are returnable for exchange or refund (less shipping costs, of course).

Keep on Scoutin'

ora

Hi Mike:

I don't know if the Codyak network is still running, but I have a small uniform bank service.

I have blue and tan shirts, pants, shorts, neckerchiefs, some belts, hats, socks, and other items available. Please take a look at http://www.geocities.com/o_sheffler/experien.html for addional information.

I will also sew your insignia on uniforms purchased from the EUX, and all items are returnable for exchange or refund (less shipping costs, of course).

Keep on Scoutin'

ora

test message

I am not able to post