RuddBaron

One thing I do NOT like to see is Scouts (and especially Scouters) wearing jeans, camos (sorry to start that one up again), etc. with a Scout shirt. Why? Because, at least around here, it screams "I can't afford to buy a uniform." Why is that bad? B-P envisioned Scouting to be a way for kids of all classes to have a shared, common experience. Even though some may, as adults, live a life of high society and mega-dollar corporations while most won't, they will all have the common experience and bond that comes from having been Scouts. So, if a troop allows jeans, they simply are removing the out

So...if there is interest in a BSA tartan, perhaps a petition can be submitted. This can also be done on a local level, e.g., a troop tartan or a Council tartan. The only problem there is that one can only afford so many kilts.... (The Webelos neckerchief is "BSA Plaid," though I'd have to look at it closely to see if it is actually a tartan.) While on the subject of things Scottish, I have "discovered" that the garter flashes worn with the hose (knee socks) that are worn while wearing the kilt work very well and look nice with BSA knee socks. I understand green ones used to be part

There is no BSA tartan that I know of, but one can easily be made. The Scottish Tartans Society in Scotland maintains the list of tartans. All you have to do is submit a design to them and order a bolt of the material. There is a tartan for most branches of the US Armed Forces, as well as for many states. I personally wear my family tartan (I believe this is what the Scottish Scouts do), the hunting version of which is very much like the McLaren.

I have seen a BSA pipe band wearing the kilt with the uniform. Not official that I know of, but certainly very traditional. I have also seen some Scouters wear the kilt at Jamborees when attending Scottish-related sub-events. One could even make the case to wear the kilt for a Wood Badge ceremony, given the obvious Scottish connections. For appropriate occasions, this certainly goes over very well.

Why change the uniform again? 1. BSA is not paramilitary, but it is military prep, at least in part. This is one reason B-P founded Scouting, and West, Beard, Boyce, and Seton founded BSA. All uniforms in Scoutings history that I have seen have elements of military uniforms. The uniform needs to makes Scouts look like Scouts. 2. The campaign hat. Although perhaps a bit warm in the heat, it does provide a lot of shade. The chin strap worn around the back of the head keeps it on in all but the strongest breezes. As for keeping its shape, why bother? The original US ones had soft brim

Re the beret...as far as Boy Scouts of America goes, the beret is more British/Scottish than French.