Owl62

Congratulations on being selected to attend Wood Badge. Being an Owl, I will pass on the following if I may: I agree with the inexpensive fleece sleeping bag. You can get them for about $10-$15 at most discount/sporting goods stores. With a decent sleeping bag rated to about 40 degrees, using a fleece bag inside will increase the effectiveness about 10 degrees and the fleece feels good. But, a good sleeping pad is every bit as important. I usually use a low cot with a foam pad, but if I use a sleeping pad alone, I use a self-inflating pad and in the winter I put down a closed cell foam pad first then put the sel-inflating pad down. I do not recommend air mattresses in cold weather unless you cover them with insulation such as a foam sleeping pad. Being in TX, most of the time, a sleeping bag is not even required in a tent. However, I have experienced below zero temperatures here, and as most of us know, it always seems colder in the woods than in town. I have 4 sleeping bags: 1 cold weather bag rated to zero; 1 rated to 20 degrees, and two different ones rated to 40 degrees - oh and a fleece bag. The fleece sleeping bags can be used as a light weight sleeping bag in mild weather, and most unzip all the way and can be used as a blanket. What we recommend to our new Scouts and parents is to buy a Sleeping bag rated to 40 degrees, a fleece sleeping bag, and either a closed cell foam pad or a sel-inflating, or both. Most buy the closed cell first because they a relatively inexpensive. That takes care of most our of Scouts, most of the time. Then there is in on-going debate on what to wear in a sleeping bag. Some say, nothing, some shorts, and so on. I recommend wearing something in a sleeping bag. I usually wear shorts and a t-shirt in mild weather, and sweatshirt and pants and socks in cold weather (and I add a knit cap as I am folliclly impaired). I don't recommend that you wear the clothes that you wear during the day in your sleeping bag - take clothes specifically for sleeping - year around. I know that some claim that wearing sweat shirts and pants actually make you colder - well not me - they keep me very warm. I say, whatever works - do it. But then there a some Scouts and Scouters that seem to take great pride in wearing Scout shorts year around even in freezing weather - which I think is a big health and safety concern - When the temperature drops below 70, I wear long pants, and at least take a jacket along - and then cheer on those (within the bounds of safety of course) that choose to be cold while I am warm. Something else. Every notice how your feet get cold when sitting on a log or in a chair, even around a campfire, when it is cold/damp. Well, cold air settles so it stands to reason that the air near the ground and even the ground itself is probably cold or or damp. One easy way to keep your feet warm is to simply put them up on something (log, piece of firewood, stump, rock, etc). Also, just being still, can lower your body temperature - particularly in your feet and hands. In early times, when homes did not have central heating, litte foot stools were very common in homes to put your feet up on in cold weather. We did a cold weather campout with some Venturers and one of the female Venturers asked me why I always put my feet up on a chunk of firewood when sitting around the campfire. I told her and the next thing I knew they were all doing it and still do and they all agree, their feet stay warmer. Plus it helps dry your footgear. I also have an old wool Army blanket that I throw around my shoulders in cold weather around a campfire - and it can be used with a sleeping bag or in case someone else gets cold. Get you some wool/nylon hiking or boot socks. Look in the sporting goods department where the hunting clothing is at Wal-mart. I even found some that are O.D. Green that look ok with the olive green Scout shorts/pants. (The Scout hiking socks are VERY expensive) The wool is warm even when wet, and the nylon makes them last longer. If the wool bothers you, wear some lightweight socks under the wool socks. When the weather is cold, I acually put the clothes that I am going to wear the next day (assuming they are clean) in my sleeping bag with me. (Not the Scout shirt of course). Socks, underwear, pants - I usually roll them up in the bottom of my sleeping bag. That way they are reasonably warm in the morning. One of the most important things about camping, is organization. Think out and plan as much as you can and you will be better off than some. I don't like being cold. Problably more that you asked for or needed but hope it helps. Just watch and ask others and then find things that work for you to keep yourself warm and dry. Good luck!

As they say, if you snooze.... Actually, I recall reading somewhere that there is no "Official" order of Wood Badge patrols. I think this concept of "Wood Badge order" is more tradition than anything. I also heard that patrol names are the decision of the course director. If there is anyone out there with the Official BSA stance on this, please let us know. Perhaps a Wood Badge Course Director... I do know that there have been other Wood Badge patrols in the US other than those that are standard now - and in other countries, I have heard of even more different patrol names.

I used to be an OWL and a Good 'ol Owl too... And now I'm finished Owling... I don't I don't know what to do... I'm growing old and feable and I can Owl no more... So I am going to work my ticket if I can... Back to Gilwell.. Happy Land.. I'm going to work my ticket if I can...

DTop, I have not found anything that prohibits the wear of Wood Badge beads with a bolo tie. I have never worn the two together so I tried it an looked in the mirror and found that at least in my opinion it looks a bit strange. So I don't think I will wear the two together.

CNYScouter, Do I understand correctly that in your council that the current version of the Scoutmaster/Assistant Scoutmaster Course and Outdoor Leadership Skills Course is required even if a Scouter has completed the previous "Scoutmastership Fundamentals" course? While Scouters can attend these courses more than once, it can get expensive and might actually cause untrained Scouters being denied or delayed in attending courses. I think that attendees of the previous course should be grandfathered and considered trained. Will your council require Wood Badge? If so, what about those who completed Wood Badge prior to 21st Century Wood Badge? We are told that a Scouter can only attend Wood Badge one time. In our council if you have already attended Wood Badge training, you cannot attend again unless you attended the old Cub Scout, or Explorer Wood Badge. I do support Scouters being trained, but to retrain unless there is a National BSA requirement or for specific reasons for specific persons, may not be productive. Our council does not "require" training but strongly encourages it and most Scouters get trained. I think many of our Scouters get as much of not more from Scouting that the Scouts do. I heard one guy say that his employer actually paid for his attendance at Wood Badge and paid him while he was at the course. Our unit also strongly encourages training and the COR, CC, SM, and, two of the 4 ASMs, and some of the committee members are trained (one of them attended the old Scoutmastership Fundamentals course) are all trained and the COR, two of the ASMs are Wood Badge trained, One Committee member is Wood Badge trained, and one of the Committee Members is attending the Wood Badge course. All of our unit Scouters keep out YPT up to date which in our council is every two years. Many of our unit Scouters are multiple registered and trained as Cub Scouters, Venturing Scouters, unit commissioners, district committee members, etc. Our district offers leader training each spring and fall, and our council offers a "University of Scouting" once a year, and Wood Badge training usually 5 times a year. (Most of those courses are FULL all the time). Powder Horn as been offered twice in our coucil that I am aware of with another planned for next year. And our council and district try to keep course fees as low as possible. Some of the courses like YPT, Safe Scouting, Safety Afloat, Safe Swim Defense, Climb on Safely are free. Course now the Council actually having accurate records of that training is another issue. I just make sure that I have documented proof of attendance at training courses. As is often said "Keep those cards!" I have a whole separate nylon wallet that I carry with all my Scouting training cards in it. Interesting.

The BSA 2005 Insignia Guide provides official guidance on the wear of Wood Badge regalia on pages 31 and 38: "Wood Badge slide or Woggle. No. 02173, trained Scouter with Wood Badge Neckerchief, necklace with two beads, No. 02175; three beads No. 02176; four beads, No. 02177; worn under the Wood Badge neckerchief, and over the ends below the woggle, with the official field uniform; Wood Badge beads are not worn on civilian clothes dress blazer uniform, or with a T-shirt. Wood Badge beads may be worn with a neckerchief or alone." There are illustrations of the simulated MacLaren Tartan WoodBadge Troop 1 neckerchief, No. 02209. and Wood Badge tartan neckerchief, No. 02213 (This is the "Tan, Taupe, or Pink" neckerchief with the little patch of MacLaren Tartan on the apex). To me, this is very clear. The Wood Badge Troop 1 neckerchief, No. 02209 is to be worn only while a member of "Troop 1" which in the USA, all Wood Badge candidates are a part of when in the practical part of the course and while "working the ticket". Candidates traditionally tie their own turks head "woggle of cord at the beginning of the course and wear that with this neckerchief. The previous Wood Badge Troop one necerkchief was of solid dark green color. The staff of my Wood Badge course, wore their Wood Badge neckerchiefs, Woggle and Beads. Upon successful completion of the course, including completion of the ticket to the satisfaction of the candidate and his/her Troop Guide, the Wood Badge neckerchief, No. 02213, the Wood Badge Woggle, No. 02173, and Wood Badge Beads, No. 02175 are awarded and the Wood Badge Troop 1 neckerchief is no longer worn as the Scouter is no longer a member of "Wood Badge Troop 1". To me it is also clear that the Wood Badge Woggle is worn ONLY with the Wood Badge neckerchief and with no other, and the beads are worn as indicated above. Although I have seen Scouters wearing the Wood Badge Woggle and beads with other neckerchiefs such as the unit neckerchief. and I have seen the beads worn with T-Shirts, the BSA dress blazer, civilian clothes, etc. The Wood Badge neckerhief is usually described as Dove Gray, with a Sunrise Red liner (underside)(which I have been told is made only in the UK). I too have read that originally there was no Wood Badge neckerchief but in the UK, one was developed made entirely of MacLaren Tartan. But due to the cost of it, the Tan or Dove Grey neckerchief with the small patch of MacLaren Tartan on the apex was made the official Wood Badge neckerchief - world-wide. While the courses are slightly different in different countries, the courses seem to be similar. I have a friend in the UK who tells me that they wear their Wood Badge beads with their unit neckerchiefs for ordinary wear and wear the official Wood Badge neckerchief only for special occasions. I am not sure if that is official or just the way they do it. Apparently the Wood Badge Troop 1 neckerchief is worn only by Wood Badge candidates in the US. I usually wear my Wood Badge neckerchief, beads and woggle only for Wood Badge beadings, Courts of Honor, etc. But I usually always wear my Wood Badge beads with my official field uniform without the neckerchief. On a few occasions, I wear our Troop neckerchief, but without Wood Badge bead or Woggle. There may be some other "official" rules for Wood Badge regalia, but that is what I found in the 2004 Insignia Guide.

To me, (and all of this is my opinion) it is pure and simple, desecration of the Flag of the United States of America is not freedom of speech or expression but it is disrespectful and despicable. Flag descretion is a wrong against all citizens of the USA, past present, and future. It is the symbol of all that we have been, are and will be. Every one of us is represnted by our Flag. The Flag of the United States of America, is not just cloth or just a symbol, or someone's private property. When I consider giving a US Flag to a group to retire, I will not give it if the group plans to cut the flag up before retiring it. To me, that is desecration. The US Flag code simply calls for burning unserviceable flags, nothing is said about cutting it up before retiring them. There is no need whatsoever in cutting up a flag before retiring it. It is as shame that nearly everything in this country is protected by law - but apparently our Flag is not. Desecrating a Flag that is another's property might bring charges of theft, destruction of property or criminal mischief, but that is about it. I once read an article where a woman was prosecuted for rescuing a US Flag from trash set out at the curb - her intent was to properly retire the Flag. Someone saw her get the flag and called the police. Apparently there is a law in that jurisdiction against removing anything from the trash. To me, that woman was a hero. It's about respect. We live and work and play under our Flag and it will cover the caskets of many of us upon our deaths. It is regretful that we need a law or constitutional amendment to protect our Flag. I stand firmly in support for a law making it a crime to desecrate a Flag of the United States of America. If it takes an ammendment to the US Constitution to do that, then so be it.

We also actually encourage Scouts and Scouters to bring camp chairs for most of our outing. They are now availabe for very litte money and many are very light weight. Course all but the lightest would not be practical for backpacking. I see no reason to ban camp chairs or stools for most Scout situations. I supposed teaching Scouts on how to make a camp gadget chair is ok but is that practical for every campout. I think not. We do have a rule that you can not sit in another's chair without permission. That prevents arguements. Actually the rule it to not touch or use anything that is not your own, without obtaining permission of the owner. Common sense - at least to us. I have several camp chairs and stools, including a very light chair and a light stool that I have carried backpacking. Years ago I either sat on my poncho on the ground or on a log. Neither are very comfortable and most camps have been stripped of nearly all wood that is not actually live. Maybe a good alternative would be to have Scouts make one of those portable collapsable wooden camp chairs. I have seen plans to them on the net. I am not sure how long they hold up though.

Our unit is considering not purchasing new troop owned tents as they become unserviceable. Rather, we are considering asking unit members to purchase their own tents. A few reasons for this: 1. Many already have, carry, and use their own tents on Scout campouts. Some have both a tent suitable for short backpacking trips as well as a larger tent for car camping, summer camp, etc. 2. Those that own their own tents seem to prefer them over troop tents. And they take better care of them, it seems. 3. Tents are expensive and there are so many to chose from. Asking unit members to purchase their own tents takes some of the financial strain from the unit. I am just wondering what some of your thoughts and your unit practice are regarding tents. Thanks.

Any of you out there had any experience in getting tent zippers repaired or replaced? I tried the manufacturer (big name) but the tent is out of production and they said they couldn't help and suggest that I consider buying one of their many newer model tents. Imagine that. But I am sure that there are other places to get tent zippers repaired or replaced. I am pretty sure this one will have to be replaced as there is about 1/2" of teeth missing from the zipper. This is my favorite tent for car camping, summer camp, etc, where it does not have to be carried far (it's and *X10' "A" frame) - perfect for summer camp!, it is no longer in production and I really want to save this tent. Can anyone help? Thanks.

I have never tried getting the BBC on it, but I have and have used for several years a tiny SONY multiband radio that has AM, FM, TV, and, NOAA Weather Radio. It is about 1X2X4 inches and has a belt clip. Runs on 1 AAA battery. They are available for between $25 and $25 most places including Wal-mart. It has only earphones, no speaker, but it has served me very well. I use it running, camping, etc. The weather stations are great for camping and I have been very few places where I could not receive them. You may want to consider a little MP3 player with FM radio. I got one for about $70 and in addition to holding 256mb of songs, it has FM radio. It is very small (1X1.5X2") Works on 1 AAA battery. We are not "ban happy" for small electronics in our unit. We figure that you can bring what you want as long as you can carry it and it is not illegal or detract from the Scouting activies. 2 of our local council camps have lots of highway traffic noise and I would much rather listen to my radio thatn the highway racket.

In my continuous pursuit of sizing down, and in support of LED lights due to their reliability and long lasting light, I picked up an LED lantern. Made by Garrity. It's a 4 LED light with three modes of brightness and one flashing mode. Operates on 3 C sized Alkaline Batteries. it cylindrically shaped, about 4 iches in disameter and about 8 inches high. Weighs about a half a pound. Cost about $25. Seems promising. Package says the light will run for 200 hours on 3 batteries. I tried it out in a darkedn bathroom (about the size of my tent) and it appears to emit plenty of light. Will try it on a campout next month.

In my continuous pursuit of sizing down, and in support of LED lights due to their reliability and long lasting light, I picked up an LED lantern. Made by Garrity. It's a 4 LED light with three modes of brightness and one flashing mode. Operates on 3 C sized Alkaline Batteries. it cylindrically shaped, about 4 iches in disameter and about 8 inches high. Weighs about a half a pound. Cost about $25. Seems promising. Package says the light will run for 200 hours on 3 batteries. I tried it out in a darkedn bathroom (about the size of my tent) and it appears to emit plenty of light. Will try it on a campout next month.

Many Scouters are registered in more than one position - sometimes several or even many. Probably most of you have seen them - some of you are probably among them. They are the ones that show up everywhere, serving in a pack, troop, crew, on the district committee, commissioner service, roundtable, etc. Some even use velcro on their position patches! Some are involved in some Scouting activity nearly every day of the week. Some hold unit positions, district positions, council positions, regional and national positions. I can understand someone perhaps being registered in a Cub Scout position and then maybe in a Boy Scout Troop, or in a Troop and a Crew, but I wonder about those that register in multiple positions. Firstly, how effective can one person be serving in multiple positions? I admire the dedication to the program, but are those that are multiple registered really effective in all of those positions. Could they be short-changing the program rather than benefitting it? Also, what about the impact on the multiple registered Scouter's personal life, their family? To which position is a multiple registered Scouter "loyal" to? Which one has priority over another? What are the "rules" on multiple registraions? I know that you must be primary registered in one position and pay the registration fee for that, and then the other positins are "free". I know that a commissioner is not supposed to also be a unit leader but I am not sure what is considered a unit leader in relation to being a commissioner (I was told Den Leader, Cubmaster, Scoutmaster, Crew Advisor) - can a person be a Committee Chair and a commissioner? Can a person be a commissioner for a unit that they are also registered in? Seems like a potential conflict of interest to me. Is there a maximum number of positions that a Scouter can be registered in? Just wonder what you all thought about this and if anyone knows what the official rules are about multiple registrations.

Bob, Thanks for the reply. As I understand it, the COR actually is actually a registered member of a unit. At least in our unit they are. What about a situation where a chartered organization charters two units from the same program level - for example, two Boy Scout Troops, and the COR is registered in one troop but not the other and appears to favor the unit they are registered in???

In a chartering organization, that charters more than one Scout unit (Example, a Cub Pack, Scout Troop, Varsity Team, Venturing Crew), can each unit have a separate Chartered Organization Representative, or does one COR have to cover all units chartered by the same organization? Thanks.

Other than what is in the G2SS, I can't find any BSA reference on the size of knives. Some BSA councils, districts, units etc, address knives. I was at one BSA camp that did not allow folding knives with locking blades. Some places do not allow fixed blade knives, some do not allow anyone to carry or use a knife until they have their Totin' Chip. In my unit, Scouts must have their Totin' Chip before they can carry a knife. But, the laws of the jurisdiction where a Scout is carrying a knife may address and regulate the size and type of knives. We used to go to a summer camp in a state that had a law that said that any knife with a blade of over 3 1/3" was illegal to carry (felony). Since many Scout units travel across state lines, it is wise to check the laws that address knives in every jurisdication you are located or travel through. From what I have seen law enforcement officers generally are very strict in enforcing knife laws - especially with youth. When our unit teaches Totin' Chip, we cover the state law regulating knives. In our state you can carry a knife with a blade up to 5 1/2". But we generally advise both Scouts and Scouters to carry either an official BSA pocketknife, or a similar knife.

The BSA has a brand new Insignia Guide 2005. Headgear Regulations are covered on page 3. Basically, it does not say that headgear is REQUIRED. It talks about what is and is not official headgear and when and where headgear can be worn and what can be worn on headgear. But it does not say that headgear is required. It mentions nothing about a all members of the unit wearing the same headgear whether by choice, vote, etc. Some of the uniform inspection sheets address headgear, but based on the actual insignia guide, my interpretation is that headgear is not required. I know in my units, we do not require headgear. We advise members to wear headgear for protection from the elements but we don't force it. We have no standard headgear in my units, members can wear any BSA or Scout related headgear. Most wear either the official "baseball" type cap, or a similar cap from camp, camporee, etc. A few of the adults have campaign hats or expedition hats. Personally, I mostly wear Scout related baseball style caps, but I have both a campaign hat and an Expedition hat and wear them at times.

Regarding all this about BSA health forms. I think the real issue is how the forms are managed, not that we have to submit them. At least that is my main concern. I for one, want someone on an outing to have access to my medical information, just in case. The question is how to manage that. Some just say blindly hand it over and don't worry about it. I say that that is unwise. I have asked repeatedly for the BSA policy on management of BSA health forms. I have yet to get an official (or even the same) answer from anyone. It appears that each activity leader has a lot of discretion on how to manage the forms. The BSA has a policy on almost everthing and it seems to me that with all the emphasis on BSA health forms that there would be an official policy on the management of those forms. In my opinion, every person who submits a BSA health form for any purpose has the need, and the right to know who the custodian of those forms will be, who will have access to them, how and where and for how long they will be kept, and what the disposition of the forms will be. That is not unreasonable - in fact it is wise. I have asked numerous people at various levels and got a different answer each time. In one case I was told that the medical records are maintained in a particular person's home! Now that I have a problem with if it is true. Based on what I know right now, there appears to be no official BSA policy on the management of BSA health forms. So I will ask again. Is there an official BSA written policy on the management of BSA health forms? If so, what is is and where can we get a copy of it? Those are very straight forward questions. (The G2SS discusses BSA medical forms, but does not cover the management of those forms in any definitive way) If there is not a policy, there certainly should be. Another problem is the discussion of information on the forms. I have actually witnessed medical officers at camp, inquiring about the conditions from people, in front of others. That should never happen - with the exception of an emergency. During initial arrival screening at camp for example, those inquiries should be out of hearing of others. I think all of us want to be safe, and to have a safe environment for Scouts, and part of that must include knowledge of their medical information. But it must be handled properly. It does not have to be a big deal. If there is a policy, what is it? If not, we should try to get one in place and see that it is complied with. Thanks.

Although not the final word, I did a little research and could find nothing prohibiting a youth from being registered in more that one Boy Scout Troop. Maybe some of the professional or district or council staffers on here can provide more definte information. The young man must find something of interest in both units. I say that if it is not prohibited, let him be registered in both. I know lots of adults that are dual and even multiple registered.

BSA Medical forms are not unique to Wood Badge. There is a requirement for them for most Scouting activities. And I fully understand the need for the information. But my concern is how the forms are managed. In our council, we are even required to submit a copy of our immunization record with the medical record for summer camp. And I am not sure that HIPPA does not apply - the act is a a little unclear about it. It appears that most of the controls in HIPPA has to do with the transfer of protected healthcare informion, especially electronicall. But there are other state and federal laws regarding healthcare records that may and probably apply. If a healthcare provider (EMT, Nurse, doctor, etc) is providing healthcare at a Scouting activity such as a camporee, etc, it appears that the BSA could then be considered a healthcare provider - although I am not sure of the legal status of that. What I have noticed lately is that when those forms are turned in to activity staff, including Wood Badge, they are NOT returned. I know I never got mine back at the conclusion of my course and no one has ever been able to tell me what happened to it. No one could tell me where it was, how it was stored, who the custodian of those records is, or who has access to them. When I called council, they simply told me they were stored in a secure manner with access limited - but not who had access. I have even seen and heard Scouting activity staff discussing the health condition(s) of an activity attendee with the attendee in front of others. Totally inappropriate in my opinion. I for one am very concerned about BSA Medical forms. I think that there needs to be a privacy policy developed by the BSA for those forms and that we be provided a copy of that each time we have to submit a medical form. I think we are entitled to know who has the forms, where and how they are stored, who the custodian is, who has access to themm, and what the disposition of the forms is when they are no longer needed. With all the emphasis on privacy and ID theft, etc, out there, I think we need to be concerned about these forms - and many just hand them over with little or no concern about it. Does anyone one what the official BSA policy is for medical forms?

Electronic items are a fact of life today. They are not, in and of themselves bad. Common sense, courtesy, and in some cases, laws, policies, rules, regulations, etc should apply in their use. I believe that as with all things, it is probably better to help coach those people who use them to do so appropriately. The outright banning of these items is probably as out of place as banning any other personal items. There should be very good and mission related reasons for banning anything. (We already have the Scout Oath and Law). Confiscation of them from the user by Scouts and Scouters is probably not a very good idea in many cases either. First, the person confiscating the item assumes full responsibility for it. And confiscation could be considered harassment and even theft. The only time I have taken an item from a Scout was in the interest of safety when use of the item was inappropriate and actually created a safey hazard (It was a knife). After appropriate coaching and training, the knife was returned to the Scout. Cell phones can be and are a great safety tool. I can think of no real purpose in outright banning them other than just to ban them. Better to establish guidelines for their use in Scouting rather than to ban them. Years ago, we did not have camp stoves, lanterns, troop trailers, GPS devices, etc - but I have never seen them outright banned. Times are changing and we can either make those changes work, or work against them. About anything can be inappropriately used - knives, stoves, lanterns, even cell phones. Better to create a trusting environment than one of rules upon rules upon rules that state what we don't trust our Scouts with.

Many years ago, the Totin' Chip patch was authorized for wear on the right shirt pocket flap. For some reason though the patch was made "temporary" and can now be worn on the right pocket as a temporary patch or it is my understanding that the local Scout Executive can authorize the patch. My personal feeling is that the Totin' Chip patch should be allowed for wear by anyone who has earned their Totin' Chip. It would be a visial indication of that, and will remind the wearer to handle woods tools properly. I think it should be allowed for wear on the LEFT shirt pocket flap. I can't see a reason why not... There is a great website about Totin' Chip: http://home.comcast.net/~totinchip/ It has history, and images of the cards and patches. Enjoy.

Our troop has a policy but it is more or less common sense based. Scouts are asked to wear the uniform as completely and as correctly as possible. Since many of our Scouts are younger, we don't push official pants or shorts (due to growth issues but encourage them and most of them have them. Also, we are essentially a "hatless" troop, although those that have official hats often wear them - and we allow "activity" hats with any uniform - especially at troop functions, and when camping. But they have to be Scout related or be plain with no logos. Same thing with T-Shirts. They have to be Scout related or plain. Several years ago we had one Scout who insisted on wearing a black t-shirt with a large marijuana leaf on it. We told him he could wear it anywhere else that it was allowed but not in Scouting. He chose to leave the unit and Scouting - over a t-shirt. Recently we found a way to make inexpense troop t-shirts and are working on that. The Scouts can use any plain t-shirt they have and we apply a design to it. We are not insisting on the same t-shirt color but the designs are the same. We started having some problems several years ago with pants that were baggy and worn so low that they were nearly falling off. After one Scout tripped and fell (he was not injured) because of them, we added them to the policy - stating safety and uniform concerns. They went away and most of the Scouts wear official pants or something as close to it as they can find. We got a bunch of new Scouts right out of Webelos a while back who for the most part wore very correct and complete uniforms in Webelos and brought that to the Troop. Sometimes we have to enourage one or two to tuck their shirts in. They actually adopted a neckerchief last spring (for the first time in the history of the troop) and while wear is optional except at formal ocassions, most of the Scout wear them when in the official field uniform. One told us he can't wait to get the Wood Badge neckerchief (and he is only 12!)!! Most of our Scouts wear complete and correct uniforms on their own now and we only have to make a few corrections and don't make a big deal of it. Seems to work. Most of the adults wear complete uniforms and that helps. The Scouts do watch the adults. We are finding much greater compliance with uniforming. They seem to enjoy wearing it now.

I agree with Eagle-Pete. I once dropped my beads in some brush and refused to leave until they were found - no only because of what they mean to me, but because I did not want them to fall into the wrong hands. I was amazing how hard they were to see. We literally walked over them a half dozen times before we found them. Camouflaged I guess.