BPwannabe@137

If through your efforts you get even one kid "off the streets" then your program is a success. Anyone who wants to help their community has my support. However, (you know that was coming) I am currently a cub leader (and a former boy scout and sea explorer leader) and have found that the BSA programs were pretty flexable, expecially with the exploring program(now called venturing). We designed our own uniforms (actually, they were just Coast Guard uniforms with Sea Scout insignia) and developed our entire program. It was a success. A wise old commissioner once told me: you can be

I just went into the new "national" scout shop in Westchester Putnam Council and found for sale full square neckerchiefs with a reprint of the 1923 book "Scouting with a neckerchief" and enough rope to make a turks head slide. $20.00 for the package. I recommed all scouters to buy one. They come in about six different colors, even blue and gold for use cub leaders. I talked to the employee who said that alot of scouters have been asking for two items: the OD necktie to wear with the uniform (as show on the uniform inspection sheets) and field caps. I think we like minded people n

SR540Beaver, Good point and one that I totally overlooked. When I asked several older brother of cubs and aksed why they are not scouts, the number one answer is that they don't do anything interesting. (again, I get bakc to my original statement). Second is uniform. (and yes, the yound men and boys I asked said they would prefer a more rugged looking uniform)Last, like which was previously stated, patriotism and rules are uncool. However, as the Beaver pointed out, we are an organization with ideas and beliefs, and are targeted for that. Don;t you think kids and teenagers in chu

Bob White: Re:Chartered Organizations Once again, you are correct. Scouting has always gotten a bad rap because the boys are supposed to be "a bunch of do gooders". Don't forget, everyone loves the bad boy (thus the popularity of ganster rap and violent hip hop). I do agree that scouting has lost it's rugged image. Sometime after the Vietnam War, this country underwent serious social changes. If you want to see how it effected scouting, read the 1970's era handbook. Uniforms became uncool and anything military was very uncool. Now role around the 1980's. Although

I really never grew up. Wanted to join the army and see the world. Two really cool scoutmasters ( mine and a friend) talked me out of it. Told me I had another destiny. One was a pacifist and thought that the army sucked. The other was a Nam vet and also thought the army sucked. Anyway, I became a national park ranger. I love being a ranger but the park service sucks. Go figure.

VentureScoutNY: The wool breeches are more of a brown color then green. They don;t match the current issue pants, but more closely to the 1960's leaders wool uniform (you can get these off of ebay) I have a 1940's (or maybe 50's) BSA leaders wool shirt and it matches perfect. The breeches really wouldn't look bad with the current issue tan shirt either. I haven't worn the wrap arounds yet, but I will on our next camping trip. The leather leggings look good but are a little stiff for outdoor type stuff (the leathers were for officers-thus less manual labor). The bottoms lace up so

Interesting historical note: Look at the old pictures of scouts in the pre1960's. Many are also not wearing "offical pants". However, and this is the BIG "HOWEVER", they still looked like scouts because: 1. Campaign hats.(this is a totally different topic-please don't get me started) 2. Neckerchefs 3. Good looking OD green, heavy weight uniform style shirts. The current tan shirt is not really made for field use. I have several scout shirts in my collection (1950's)that are a cotton flannel material that are very comfortable to wear hiking/camping, look good, and would

Bully for you. A man after my own heart. I have a pair of WWI reproduction breeches that I wear with an original wool scout shirt and original WW1 leather leggings and repro WW1 boots. It looks really cool and I always found breeches more practical for the following reasons: 1. More room in the butt when you bend over 2. Stronger material (wool): provides better construction and is fire retardent. 3. Looks really cool. Let me know how your experiment works. PS-repros availble at AEF supplies http://www.aefsupply.com/

I have been wearing a campaign hat for over 20 years as a scout and 15 years as a park ranger. Have the boys and adults get the cheaper hats and wear them all the time. I save my official BSA hat for meetings and wear the cheaper 29.00 one on camping trips, in the rain, snow, and was even thrown in a lake with it on. Look at the old picture of scouts and soldiers, the hats were crushed and floppy for a reason, they wore them. Good for you and keep on scouting!!!!!!

BaldingEagle you are so correct. I too lead by example and wear complete uniform-including knee socks (and garters with tabs if I am in 1970's style). My son is also in complete cub uniform. However, people just don;t like being told what to wear. For example, our pack has pack tee shirts for activity wear. I told parents not to have the kids wear them to the meetings. They do anyway. Then, they don't even wear the darm t shirts camping!!! I think they do that to drive me crazy. Just like I tell them, if you are too cheep to buy blue cub pants (mind you money is no problem

The default uniform for adults is the boy scout tan/green uniform. You have an option of 3 hats. Ball cap, "Indiana Jones hat" and campaign. The Indian Jones hat is an approved "activity hat", but since you wear the tan/green on activities, this is approved. I can't nail down either what ball cap you wear but I never seen an adult wearing the same hat as the youth (except for a female den leader and it looked good with the yellow shirt). As a cubmaster, I wear the campaign hat and the kids really dig it. I have 2-one official BSA for meetings and parades and a cheaper army one with BSA le

OK, I am going to start this again. I just came back from a district run camping trip for cubs (I am a cubmaster). As usual, I was wearing one of my older OD green uniforms (complete) with my campaign hat. I got lots of complements from fellow scouters and cubs on how "official" I looked and how cool that uniform looked. Isn't it amazing that most people, scouters, scouts, and non scouts liked the OD colored uniform. Now don't get me wrong, I actually like the new style to, and do wear it, but I am partial to the old 1970's style. This leads me to my second point. Here I was in

FOG you are all right. (I don't know if I should be scared that I agree) People just don't want to be told what to wear. My cub pack is in a community where money is not a problem (except for me). I run across parents all the time and I tell them that if they don't want to pay for official cub scout pants, just go to any store and buy a pair of blue straight leg trousers. The answer I got back was, "my son is uncomfortable wearing slacks he only wears sweat pants, event to church." I asked what they do when they need to go somewhere formal, they respond, "either we dump him off on the nei

Scouting is not a hobby but a life style. Thats all I have to say on that. Scouters should pay their own way. Once it is no longer fun, its time to move on. Scouters should be reembursed for certain things which are purchased for the unit, such as gas if transporting scouts in addition to you and your son(s) or program material that benefits the whole group. These guidelines need to be established with the committee-thats what they are there for.

Wow is this a hot topic. However, it is one that I have to chime in on. First I need to say about uniforms in general. I have been a uniformed civilian employee of the Fed Gov for over 15 years, so wearing a uniform comes second nature. I joined scouts a year before the switch and thus wore both the new and older styles. As an adult, I continue to do the same, just bepends on my mood. However, I donot mix and match old with new. I go through great troubles to make sure that I have complete old style, tops, bottoms, tie and belt (including all matching materials ie wool with wool, co

Way to go. I served on BSA camp staff for 4 years and my fellow staffers all say the same thing: it's like military service. You will have fun, get fustrated, hate your job, and have found memories for the rest of your life. Enjoy and bring lots of extra socks.