JM_Ecuador

There seem to be some strange things going on. Have you ever heard of a scout sleeping in while camping? Most leaders I know wouldn't allow it, and most boys are eager to be enjoying their adventure. Second, Youth Protection policies were broken. Third, the article called him a 1st Class. A first class scout knows how to hike safely, has camped overnight at least three times, can to navigate by compass, knows how to pitch a tent, can use a knife, saw, and axe, can make a fire, and knows how to cook on one. He has made a first aid kit for hiking and knows first aid for scra

I believe that Eamonn has made a very good point. Whatever the uniform is, we must use it. The answer for dealing with something on which we disagree is not to disregard the rules, rather to encourage those who make them to change the rules. That is, rather than decide what we want to be the uniform, and ignore the national standard, we should use the unifrom, but also let people who have the power to make a diference know our feelings on the matter. However, I also think that for non-formal events, such as regular meetings, campouts, etc, the rules should be a bit flexible. My standa

Diferent uniforms for diferent sections? sounds interesting. Here Cubs wear diferent hats, Rovers wear red shoulder straps, and Scouters have blue shirts, that's all the diference there is. That and patches. YIS JM

WOW, that's alot of uniforms. I Ecuador everyone uses the same uniform except for Scouters. Also, within a group, all packs, troops, and crews will use the same necker. That means that all a kid has to change on his uniform are patches until he outgrows/wears it out. Also, things in Ecuador tend ot run cheaper. We charge US$40 for: Shirt, slide, Necker, hat, t shirt, and group patch. If neckers are too expensive, make your own. Tuk head knots look very stylish, especially if made from a natural looking fiber. YIS JM

To start, I will outline the organization of the Associacion de Scouts del Ecuador. Scouts form groupsm which consist of one or more packs (6-10 years old), and one or more troops (11-15), and maybe a Rover crew(16+). All these units are under the leadership of a Chief of Group. Under him are the Scoutmasters, Cubmasters, and Rover Scout Leaders. Then come the assistant leaders. The assistant leaders will usually be assigned to a specific unit, but may be pulled to help with another if something comes up. There is also the Parents Committee. The Parents Committee consists of all the p

This thread is to compare the BSA with the ASE. BSA is the US program, and ASE Ecuadorian. I will post another message soon summing up the ASE program. YIS JMM

" Do the Scouts of Ecuador have anything like the BSA AIMS and Methods? " Yes, it's called the 'metodo educativo' which consists of learning by doing, youth leadership, and values. All this is delivered within the 'marco simbolico' wich consists of the traditions, law, uniform, promise, etc. If you like, we could spin off another thread in which to discuss the diferences between the programs. YIS JM

" Not sure if know this or not, but in the BSA a hat or bandanna/neckerchief is not required piece of the uniform. They are considered an optional part of the uniform. " I did not know that, but then I have never been a member of the BSA. That's funny though, because in Ecuador (and much of the world from what I have heard) the necker is the most basic part of the uniform. Nobody ever does ANY Scouting events without it on.

" Your skater kids are going to show up in pants 6 inches too long with legs so large that shoes can't even be seen. Your goth kids are going to wear nothing but black jeans. " So, you say that they have to wear clothes that fit. Black isn't allowed because it's BLUE jeans. And it doesn't have to be blue jeans. It could be olive green pants, or or black, or whatever the national assembly were to decide. The important part is that it is 1) locally available and 2) reasonably priced. What makes it a Scout uniform are 1) color, 2) style, and 3) insignia & necker. Without the third,

" Still we had the entire troop in full uniform. Not because of any hard and fast rule or rules but it was a matter of Troop and Patrol pride. " Just because something can be done doesn't mean that it's the best thing. It would have been easier on those families had the uniform been cheaper. As to it beeing 'cool,' that is the reason I mentioned all the other organizations which used a similar uniform. That basic style is not a thing of the past, and cops don't look dorky, do they? Thank you Hunt, you're thinking along the same lines as me. I have seen this work

"But I think as long as we have whatever it is we should wear it. " I agree, the uniform should be used, but the National office should make it easier. Expensive uniforms means poorer people can't have the full uniform, and therefor can't be properly dressed.

Well, that's the rule in Ecuador, and we don't have any problem with it. Maybe the shade varies some, but not enough to make anyone complain. By regulation Scouts must wear blue jeans, the uniform shirt, some other scout shirt, or a white shirt. YIS JMM(This message has been edited by JM_Ecuador)

" Also, other organizations mandate specifics for their uniforms in terms of colors, style, etc. Its NOT just a matter of getting 'blue pants'. " Well, the Scouts del Ecuador says that their official pants are blue jeans. "Pantalon Official- Pantalon jean azul"

Keep in mind that all parts of the uniform, except the patches, can be gotten from other sources. You can get similar shirts, pants, etc. And it would be in keeping with B-P's original intent that the uniform be affordable and utilitarian.

First of all, I am not a member of the BSA. I am an Assistant Troopmaster with the Scouts del Ecuador. I thought I'd comment on the Uniform issue. In Ecuador the Oficial Uniform consists of a Shirt. Blue for trained leaders, grey for youth and untrained leaders. The official pants are blue jeans, except for formal occasions, when it is blue pants. Every group has it's own bandana, and may have other uniform pieces such as a vest, jacket, cap, etc. But the only standardized required piece is the shirt. Now I have read enough on this forum to know that the uniform is a controversi