resqman

"As a Cub Master, why couldn't I invite the GS troop to our pack meetings, if not every one, at least periodically? Since a pack isn't "boy led", I think it could work and not be disruptive to either program. What do ya'll think?"

I think you are unhappy with the Girl Scout program. Instead of improving the Girls program, you are trying to integrate BSA. If the Girls program does not have enough scout craft by design, add some as voluntary programs for your unit. Take the girls to a state park for the day and run their typical program at a picnic table. Introduce more of the outdoors into the girls program.

Cub scouting is NOT co-ed. Instead of making end runs around the rules of the boys program for the girls benefit, work within the girls program to change it to what you think it should be.

I have been an active volunteer Firefighter, EMT, and Technical Rescue Squad member for more than a decade. I am proud of my training and my service to the community. I have a 3-ring binder full of certifiates from both state and national agenices commerating my training. On my public safety uniform I wear the badges and pins to indicate my levels of training that are approved by my unit. I don't wear my Eagle patch on my public safety uniforms.

Just as people within scouting recognize and respect the various knots and other badges on my scout uniform, people of public safety recognize and respect various badges on that uniform.

I fully understand the pride and implied duty that comes along with EMS training. If BSA had an approved patch for some of my training, I would wear it on the uniform. Since BSA does not, I promote spreading that knowledge within my unit through training in approved BSA recognized awards such as First Aid, Safety, Emergency Prepardedness, Pioneering, and Firemanship merit badges. I have introduced the BSA Emergency Preparednss badge to my unit and its members.

Medical training seems to hold a special aura that many other trainging does not. If we suggest that it is ok for scouts to wear non BSA badges of training from EMS, what is to say badges of training from other fields should not also be worn? Should the mechanic wear his training patch? How about the trucker with X many years of safe driving? The policeman's sharp shooter medal?

Each field awards those who excel in that field through certifiates, awards, badges, and other honors. Those are appropriate for those in the field to wear on their work garb. Bringing in awards to wear on scout uniforms because you believe them to be important, does not honor the uniforming aim.

I applaud those who are involved in areas outside of scouting that helps to better prepare them for life. Please leave the badges from those areas off the scout uniform. If you feel strongly that they offer positive roles for scouts, then petition district, council, and national to approve a patch to reflect your achievements.

I guess it depends on the boy and your program.

Our Pack holds its AOL ceremony mid February but our bridging to Boy Scouts is the first weekend in April. During that 6-8 weeks, most of the Webelos II meet with their troops as vistors instead of holding den meetings.

My den just bridged to Webelos II last month. We had our first Den campout this past weekend. The week before we held a den meeting where the adults left the room. We gave the boys a task of selecting 3 menus for the weekend and a patrol name. The Denner came looking for dad after about 10 minutes upset that the others were not following his lead. Asst. Den Leader stepped into the room for 2 minutes and asked them to get along and complete the task. 10 minutes later DL and ADL returned to find they had a vivable menu and a patrol name. One boy volunteered to buy the grub.

This weekend we made the boys set up their own tents and sleep with other boys, not their parents. They prepped, cooked and cleaned up the food. They built a box oven on site and cooked pizzas and brownies. Both very tasty I might add. They suggested and held an opening ceremony of flag raising and repeating the Scout Law.

During the weekend we asked them to perform all the tasks. A couple of times we had to lend a hand or finish a few details. Had to hold one dad back a few times as he was giving too much help.

Did they do everything? Heck no. Did they accomplish most of the tasks and build confidence. You betcha. I only have one year left to get them prepared for Boy Scouts.

Our Pack has a fall campout and spring campout. My intention is for them to act like a patrol and build on the successes from this past weekend. They should be ready for a Boy Scout campout without parents by crossover next spring.

Summer camp is just a week away from your parents if you have the base skills. Hopefully your Summer Camp runs a Webelos intro program. Ours holds an overnighter in the middle of the summer camp season. The Boy Scouts leave Sat morning. Webelos arrive Sat afternoon. Webelos eat in dining hall, swim in the lake, shoot BB's and archery, and have outdoor games. Webelos attend a campwide bonfire, spend the night, and leave Sunday morning. Sunday afternoon the Boy Scouts arrive for a week of camp.

A lot of extra work for the camp staff but the Webelos get a chance to see the camp, experinence the idea of different merit badge classes, eating in the dining hall, waundering around the acreage. A "try it before you buy it". Now when they become Boy Scouts and summer camp is mentioned, they already have been there, done that and can feel confident about going to a known location and doing fun stuff. Parents will have been so can talk knowledgeably about the fun they will have. Lots of the fear factor has been removed.

My sons have been going to week long resident camps since they were in 1st grade. They want to go more often and for longer periods. I realize that not all children are raised to be independent. I have been trying to instill that in my kids and my scouts. I expect my scouts to do well in Boy Scouts and camp.

As a den leader, you know which kids are likely to be reluctant to go to summer camp on their own. Begin to run your webelos program like a Boy Scout program by assigning tasks to the webelos. Plan time in the program for them to attempt the task. Then come along and help them refine their efforts. Give them the tools to succeed. It will be difficult for you to give away control and difficult for them to take control but in the long run, both of you will be better.

I just got a msg from my District Exec indicating that our scout store will be selling pants that zipoff into shorts soon.

"Due out later this year:

- New activity pants that zip off and become shorts

- 8 styles of hats made by Stetson

The Scout Shop won Quality Shop and best overall sales in the country. Give a congratulations next time you are in the store.

Yours in Scouting,

Richard F. Becker

Falls District Executive

www.fallsdistrict.org"

Sounds like many peoples wishes have been answered.

I attended a Cub Scout Overnighter with my son held at the local Boy Scout summer camp. The information was sent to everyone in the Pack but we were the only ones to attend.

We had a great time! As a den leader, I am often so busy running the meeting or activity, that I am not able to be a parent and revel in the smaller points of his successes. It was great just to be a parent and hang out with my son. We joked, talked, and enjoyed each others company. No interruptions from other boys or parents.

I recommend that all leaders with children in the program, take advantage of an outing where you are not the leader and are not likely to either get drafted partway through, or volunteer partway through. Being a parent is a lot of fun. I enjoyed not worrying about all the details, if things were running according to schedule, and all the other potential pitfalls.

My sister is a Girl Scout leader. Her council or district or whatever similar level of organization holds a leader and daughter only outing once a year. The leaders and their daughters get to be parents and children. She highly recommended it. Now that I have been through a similar experince, I too am a supporter of the idea.

Later this month my son and I are attending a Boy Scout campout as a guest. It will give us another opportunity to be a dad and son without leadership responsibilities. I look forward to only packing personal gear instead of a den or Pack worth of supplies.

"All of our boys receive a PWD display stand made by our 5th grade Webelos as their final Craftsman project."

I to am interested in your car display stands. I have the Webelos II den this year and this would be a cool project for the craftsman badge and a way to thank the Pack for 5 years of fun.

Could you please post your plans or describe your stand? Thanks!

So many wonderful memories over a lifetime of scouting...

My first campout with my troop in a NSP. That first REAL campout with Snipe hunting, cooking over an open fire, and just the excitment of being a Boy Scout.

Philmont. The memory of sharing wonderful times with my Dad and climbing the tooth of time at night to see the sun rise on the last day of our trek.

SeaBase. Eating the red snapper we speared an hour before, diving in the blue hole, snorkling at Pennekamp, sailing that beautiful ship.

Ironing my son's uniform shirt each week watching as badges are added and the color shifts from blue to tan.

I am so looking forward to all the other milestones yet to come in his scouting career including his ordeal weekend, Eagle court of honor, and our trips to Philmont, Florida Seabase, and Boundary Waters.

My grandma and mother encouraged me to cook at home. Easy stuff at first, scambled eggs and the like. My troop started out with the regular fair of poptarts and hot dogs. After a while someone brought a dutch oven to a campout. It became a tradition to make a cobbler on Sat night. From there it spilled over and all the meals starting getting better.

As a teenage I worked at a fast food restuarants. Couple of the other scouts also worked in restauants. We decided to show up all the other patrols with our menus and cooking skills.

I am starting my Webelos den in the tradition. Our Pack has a cobbler during sat night on the campouts. They chose a menu at the last den meeting and during the pack campout next weekend they will be cooking all their meals as a den.

This is the document MAScout sent me. She gave me permission to post.

Things to Look for When Choosing the Right Troop for Your Webelos Scout

1. Who initiated your visit to the troop? Did they invite you? Did your leader contact them?

2. Did the Scout meeting occur at the time and place you were told?

3. Are the Scouts in uniform? Class A (khaki shirt)? Class B (Troop designed T-shirt)?

4. Did anyone greet you? Who? Adult leaders? Youth leaders? Youth members?

5. Were you introduced to the troop? By whom? Scoutmaster? Senior Patrol leader? Your Den Leader?

6. Who ran the troop meeting? Scoutmaster or Adult Leaders? Senior Patrol Leader & Patrol Leaders?

7. Was the troop meeting organized? Working on agenda? Or was it unorganized? (It might have been noisy, but were the boys working on something?)

8. Did the Webelos feel welcome?

9. Were the Webelos invited to participate in the troop meeting?

10. Were there any plans for any upcoming outdoor activities? Were you told about them?

11. Were you introduced to a potential Troop Guide for your Webelos?

12. Scout Advancement

Did troop adult leaders discuss

Scoutmaster Conferences?

Boards of Review?

Merit Badge Counseling?

Advancement in Ranks?

13. How do you rate the quality of the troops program from your first impression?

14. Did the adults present appear to be knowledgeable in the Scout program?

15. Troop vs. Pack

Did troop adult leaders discuss

How rank advancement differs?

Patrol method?

Boy-led troop vs. Adult-led pack?

16. Did the Scout meeting have the following parts:

Opening

Welcome

Discussion of old & new business

Patrol time

Did the SPL sit down & talk to the Webelos about Boy Scouts

Did the SPL answer questions

Game

Skills or Merit Badge sessions

Recognition & Awards

Adult Communications

Scoutmaster Minute

Closing & cleanup

17. How did the Scout adults treat the Scout youth? With respect? Yelling at them?

18. How did the Scout youth treat the Scout adults? With respect? Not listening or ignoring?

19. How did the older Scouts treat the younger Scouts? With respect? Bullying or rude?

20. Did the Boy Scouts appear to enjoy the Scout meeting? Having fun? Bored?

21. Were the Scouts polite and cooperative with their Senior Patrol Leader, Patrol Leader, or other youth leaders?

22. Did you see trained patches on adult leaders uniforms?

23. Did you see trained patches on youth leaders uniforms?

24. How many adults were in uniform?

25. Were you asked back to another troop meeting?

26. Were you invited to an outing with the troop?

27. Were you invited to a Troop Court of Honor?

28. Did you have a good time?

I have attended training both within and outside my district and council. I am an Eagle and a den leader for 3 years. What I got was not so much the technical skills, but rather the offical BSA of thinking and doing.

Some of the requirements seem so simple and hardly worth doing. What I learned was repeation of skill sets with increasing difficulty over time. The training helped me to slow down my information delivery so that the boys have someting new to learn at the next level. It helped me to talk the "company line" and make sure that I was presenting the BSA program, not my version of the program.

Our pack has a culture of encouraging training and attendance. Last night at the leaders meeting it was announced by the Pack training chair, that he had completed his council training and is now approved/certified to teach BSA classes. He offered to teach Youth Protection, New Leader essentials, and Leader Specific training at the Pack meeting place at a time convienent to our leaders. At least we have removed the time, date, and location complaint.

It was suggsted we offer the first round of training after the fall roundup to get all the new adults joining directly into training. Start them fresh and build the tradition that training is necessary and easy.

We also happen to have a very dynamic district trainer who offers training frequently in convient locations using worthwhile instructors.

We are lucky.

Worst case buy one vest. Take apart the seams and make your own pattern. Have one of the boys sew it back together. I believe they do come in several sizes.

Please post your troop survey if you would. We have eleven Webelos I who will become II at the end of the month. There are at least 10 troops in our area.

I have ties with several of the troops through training and family friends. Two of my scouts have older brothers so they know where they are going. The rest are just begining the visiting process.

It is interesting talking to the exiting II's. One fella liked a troop because of the activity and size. Another fella felt it was too costly and over crowded in their meeting room.

I am interested to see how my son reacts to the various troops.

Smoking and tobacco use is under a lot more attack than when I was a scout 30 odd year ago. Even so, I remember questions at board of reviews asking what I thought about our leaders using tobacco during scout events and the role modeling it protrayed.

Tobacco use is addictive and harmful. Those who use tobacco don't always see the negatives. It hasn't killed them yet so what's all the fuss? The reasoning may also include tobacco and alcohol use is illegal for any boys of scout age so use of these products is no different that driving but not allowing a minor to drive.

Logos and advertising seems to be on everything. Try and find a plain T-shirt with no lettering, messages, advertising, or logo.

Personally I strive to purchase items without logos, advertising or message on them for all my uses. During any scout activity, I wear my uniform as much as possible. Usually it is a scout related T-shirt but just as often it is my dress uniform shirt. My outer wear is without logos and such.

I try to lead by example in wearing neutral or BSA branded items during scout activities. I don't use tobacco any time and do not use alcohol during or immediately before any scout activity.

I believe that the parents would expect that of a leader and I want to show the best example I can to the scouts. I am fortunate in that all the leaders of my unit act in a similar manner.

My den is working on the Webelos science award. One of the requirements is to complete the science beltloop. One of the requiements of the beltlooop is to complete a science experiment and use the scientific method to document.

I was wondering if anyone had any ideas of possible scientific experiments I could offer as suggestions to my den members.

"and don't forget the District Pinewood Derby. In most districts I have seen siblings and parents racing. Lets stop them from racing too." Cubmaster Randy

A race is a family oriented Pack and or District wide event. If the Pack sets up a seperate bracket for siblings, parents, and other non-member car builders, then yes they could race. Non-member parties should not be racing directly against scouts, even if the same age.

Our Pack has had an open bracket where non-scouts can compete. It does not currently have such a bracket. Our district race does not have such a bracket.

Members pay dues which payes for the track and trophies. Maybe if non-members paid an entrance fee to defray the costs of awards, then they could have their own division or bracket. Because a Pack held open races does not imply or require to District also hold such races.

Scouting is a wonderful program that promotes the highest ideals that I would like all people of all sub-groups to try to live by. There is a cost to participate in the program. That cost is many things including time, money, and effort. As a volunteer, I donate my time and effort to ensure the members of my den and pack have the best program I can provide. Part of the program includes teaching rules and consequences. I don't give out awards and badges because I like the boys. I award badges because the member followed the rules and met the requirements of the program. If the member does not follow the rules or complete all the requirements, the consequence is he does not get awarded.

By allowing non-members to be awarded the same patches, badges, pins, certificates, and other recognition, it falsifies the experience of the members. It says to the members you don't have to follow the rules.

The BOY Scout program is a wonderful program. That is why it is copied by so many other similar organizations. I understand why non-members want to be in the program. But allowing non-members the same priviledges as members, you do a disservice to all.

We hold our B&G in February and include the AOL ceremony. April we have our spring campout and bridging ceremony. They are different events.

The AOL ceremony is a Pack event celebrating the achievement of AOL. It is not a graduation or bridging ceremony.

Roughly two months later we hold a bridgeing ceremony where all scouts advance to their next rank. The Webelos II and AOL reciepents bridge from Cub Scouting to Boy Scouting. Remember you do not have to earn you AOL to bridge to Boy Scouts. Last year we had at least 5 different troops invited to accept their new members. Each troop sent an adult represenative along with at least one Boy Scout to welcome the boy into their Troop. It is a Pack ceremony. The troops are invited to recieve their new members. If the troops wish to hold thier own ceremony accepting the new scouts, that is up to them to organize.

It sounds as if the ties with your troop are so close, they have taken over the Pack responsibilites of the Pack bridging ceremony.

How is letting girls or silibings participate any different than allowing professed homosexuals, not religious people, or boys of a different age particiapte. BSA has a set of rules in order for you to be a MEMBER of their organization. If you don't agree to abide by the rules, you are not allowed to join and participate.

Part of joining is filling out an application, paying dues to support the program, and following the rules. While siblings may attend the designated family programs such as campouts and pack meetings, they should not be recieving patches for achievements because they are not members of the organization.

My one son is a member of a soccer team. My other son cannot just jump onto the field and join in because I don't have a babysitter. In order to play on the team, you must fill out an application, pay dues, and follow the rules of the organization. When the team goes to games or tournaments, the family goes along and cheers from the sideline. We do not sit on the bench with the players and pretend to be team members. We do not get trophies because we drove him to the field. It is an organization for MEMBERS within a specific age and gender who follow the organization rules.

If I had a daughter, she could join a girls sports team just like a daughter can join Girl Scouts. Yes, the team would be different. That is because the RULES explicty indicate that you must be a certain gender, age, and a MEMBER. Only members can particiapate.

When I hold den meetings at my home, my older son does not participate in the activities because he is not a MEMBER of the Den or Pack. Just as his brother is not allowed to play soccer because he is not a member.

Some of my scouts have younger siblings. Parents usually bring them at the end of the meetings to pick up their brothers. The meeting is over and they are allowed to admire our activities and join in the post meeting fun. They do not get awards, patches, or pins. They get to cheer from the sidelines.

Life is not fair. Just because I want a office with a window view on the top floor does not mean I get one because my brother does.

Fortunately our Pack has a history of encoruaging leaders to get training. The Pack pays the cost of adult leadering training.

I wanted to take the Webelos Outdoor Leader Training so I could earn my knot. I found a class, sent email to all the Webelos den leaders and Bear leaders about the date, time, location and cost. I reminded them the Pack pays for training and it was a required class for them to earn their knot.

I got a few replies back indicating they were interested. I arranged a carpool between those interested since it was a 1.5 hr drive one way for a 12 hr class. All four Webelos I den leaders attended and one Webelos II leader attended. During the ride home, we all agreed we got something from the class even though all of us were experienced outdoorsman and Cub Leaders.

I noticed last month that the cubmaster (8 yrs) who earned his cubmaster knot several years ago, actually sewed it on his uniform. The Webelos II leader was wearing his knot. By earning and wearing the knots, they are providing leadership to the other leaders that training is important.

When my den moved up, as leaders we informally polled the parents and said we would prefer that everyone switch to the tan shirt. I offered to accept all the blue shirts and start a uniform closet for the pack. No takers in my den.

One parent is saving his son's blue uniform intact as a momento. One parent handed down the blue shirt to a younger brother. Third boy still has a younger brother coming along who will need the blue shirt. I turned my son's blue shirt into a shadow box keepsake. The other leader suggested we move to the tan shirt and bought his son a tan shirt. The last boy was new to scouting and started with a tan.

The other Webelos I den in our pack is also all wearing tan. We had a Webelos II gradutate AOL last weekend in all blue uniform. While not a Pack requirement, it seems to be a habit for Webelos to move over to the tan shirts.

We have made a point of telling our boys that because they have tan shirts, they are more noticeable to the younger Cubs and they should lead by example. They were all very proud of their tan shirts.

I call the members scouts when in 3rd person. When dealing with them directly, I always use the term Gentlemen. I try to treat them with respect and as if they know the correct way to handle themselves.

By calling them gentlemen, I have set the expectation that they should behave like gentlemen.

As already posted, nothing for your scout uniform. As an EMT & Firefigher you bring a host of skills that work well in scouting.

Each rank of Cub Scouting has a first aid requirement. More than likely you are also a CPR instructor or have access to one. You might think about organizing a basic first aid course and/or a CPR course for all the adult leaders. Additionally you could offer to teach the first aid requirements for each of the ranks making it easier on the other den leaders. It puts a new adult in front of the boys instead of the same people everytime. The boys will enjoy a different presenter, the den leaders will enjoy a chance to learn instead of present, and you get a chance to share you wealth of knowledge.

There is also the BSA Preparedness Badge available for all ranks. You could take this on as a personal task to ensure that all the boys in your Pack are exposed to the information and given the opportunity to fullfill the requirements via your tutoring.

At the Boy Scout level you could volunteer to be a Merit Badge counsler for Firemanship, First Aid, Safety, Emergency Preparedness, and probably a few others.

I know my training as an EMT, Firefighter, and Rescue Technician have helped me in scouting. While there is no badge to wear on your uniform, there are lots of opportunties for you to share your skills.

I always thought that PART of the merit badge was to introduce the boy to new topics for a greater understanding.

I took a Merit Badge clinic as a boy 30 yrs ago. Railroading MB. It was hosted at the university in town. We built model trains and took a 3 hr train ride on a wood burning engine pulled train. I had no interest in trains at the time. But I was introduced to trains and railroading. I learned something.

As part of my Explorer Post, we decided that we wanted to learn more about radio communications. We had a local ham operator meet with us for 3 hrs a night for a few weeks. We learned morse code and more about radio communications. We were able to put that knowledge to use within our Post operations. Again I did not have a strong interest in the topic but I learned something.

Additionally we had animal vets teach Animal Science and Vetenarin Science as merit badge clincs. Most of us would never had chosen or worked these badges as suburban kids. Our Post theme was First Aid and we felt it would somehow be more medical training.

I also attended a mb clinic for Electronics. Computers were just starting to become a big item. It was a day filled with information I felt at the time was boring. I got a merit badge. I spent 25 years as a Computer Technician.

Did attending these clincs cheapen the knowledge and exposure to topics I probably would not have investigated on my own? I don't believe so. Did they remove the find a mb counseler, arrange a meeting, arrange transport, meet with counseler, do requirements, meet again for checkoff, etc. Yes, it simplied the process and removed some of the arranging the mudane details of appointments and travel.

I believe that not all of the badges should be earned via MB clincs. Badges that might otherwise not be commonly selected by many of the troop may be a good way to introduce new fields of interest. Particularly if you can get an "expert" in a certain field to run a clinic for a weekend that otherwise might not be willing to be a MB counsler.

In Cub scouting, a big part of the identity of rank is displayed in the hat and neckerchief color. Our Pack encourages all boys to wear both their hats and neckerchiefs.

My son seems to always be hot. He complains that the neckerchief is too hot. I decided to make wearing the neckerchief more of an event for him. I started carving neckerchief slides. The first one was an eagle head profile from the scout shop. I chose it because I am an eagle. I encouraged him to wear it.

When my son became a Bear scout, I carved a bear head of my own design using the "earth" slide from the scout shop as a source of wood. Stained it brown and painted the eyes and nose. He wore it with pride. He got lots of comments from other scouts and adults.

As a den leader I felt it necessary to lead by example so purchased a Den Leader neckerchief. I started carving neckercheif slides. I carved about half a dozen of the standard scout shop slides. I purchased some model paints and a very fine brush and painted them all. Then I surfed the web for alternate selections. Pauls slides has over 35 different slides to carve. http://www.paulsslides.com/ There are a few other sites that fed me ideas and I have gone on to design and carve my own.

Now my son has a choice. Although he still is not thrilled to wear the neckerchief, the question is not IF he will wear the neckerchief but which slide will he choose.

Part of the Webelos program is learning what constitutes a Webelos uniform. The Hat, the Shirt, and the Neckerchief. Our Pack purchases neckerchiefs for each boy and presents them at each graduation ceremony. I presented every boy in my den with a leather slide stamped with the Webelos logo, their name, pack #, den # and year. I believe their is no excuse for them not to wear a neckerchief.

I would say if your Pack or Troop is not wearing neckerchiefs or has low numbers and want to encourage the wearing of neckerchiefs, have a slide making session. You can make crafty slides, themed slides, carved slides, all kinds of slides. If the boys have a say in designing their own uniform, they are more likely to wear them.

We purchased a small plastic dinosaur from the craft store. I drilled two small holes and bent a piece of coat hanger into a U shape and inserted into the holes. Instant slide in under 5 minutes. My son wears the plastic toy dino he picked from the craft store and I wear the carved dino egg I made. We have a theme just amoungst ourselves.

Sometimes he will wear the tomahawk and I the handaxe I carved. Sometimes we will wear the two different indian heads I carved. For December I carved a christmas tree and a snowman. Next month at the Pinewood derby we will wear the pair of cars I carved.

There are several websites with ideas for making crafty slides. There are a few with carving kits. Make the slides and wear the neckerchiefs with pride.

We have several couples in our Pack.

The CM and the treasurer are husband and wife. She also has been a den leader and program committee chair. Both are very dedicated individuals who do an excellent job.

We have a den where the husband & wife tag team as a single den leader but also have an asst den leader. This way they always have at least two leaders.

We have several others couples where the wife is not offically registered but attends almost all meetings/outings and are very supportive of the program.

I wear the uniform with pride. I wash and press both my son's and my uniform before each outing. The patches are sewn on in the proper locations. We don't wear multiple quality unit patches like a list of awards. We wear neckerchiefs with slides, not knotted because we lost or forgot our slides. I made custom leather slides and the pack paid for neckerchiefs to be presented to each of the boys upon joining. By wearing the uniform correctly and completely with pride, I teach the boys to do the same.

As a leader I believe it is very important that I wear the full uniform. It is also important that I wear it correctly with all the patches I earn and located in the correct positions. How can I expect the boys to wear it correctly if I don't? Lead by example. Yes I have both shorts and long pants. Once you purchase them, it is easy to wear them.

The cost compared to sports uniforms is a losing arguement. My son plays sports. His uniforms cost more than a scout uniform. He only wears it 6 months of the year. After a season or two when he outgrows it, no one will buy it because every team has a different uniform. With the scout uniform, there are always new boys joining who are willing to purchase gently used uniforms. We have families who hand down uniforms within the family and only have to remove the rank when passing down. A scout is thrifty.

Recognition. When wearing the uniform in public, you are recognized as a group and often given special priviledges like discounts or extended access to areas. The public smiles and often makes a point to greet and speak with the boys. Part of scouting is learning and earning various patches and pins. Applied to the uniform, it serves to provide a continous from of recognition for the one who earned the award but also by others who can "read" the uniform and recognize the scout for his achievements.

Part of the recognition system of scouting is to present awards in a public manner before his peers as quickly as possible to encourage growth and continued learning. Wearing that award is a constant reminder of what they have accomplished and from where they came.

While I agree that the uniform could be cut to be more comfortable while active, it is the uniform of the organization and I wear it the best manner that I can.