Is there an equivalent of the "red vest" for Boy Scouts?

[mschwartz]

I've gotten this question from a couple of parents of new Boy Scouts, and have to admit that I do not know the answer! The boys get patches for (for instance) doing the Polar Bear program and the Trailblazer program at summer camp, and for other things as well (Klondike Derby comes to mind). I know that they can wear one "temporary" patch on their pocket in that plastic patch holder thingie - but what do they do with all the other ones? Someone told me (can't remember who) that the boys can put those sorts of patches on the back of their merit badge sash (obviously reserving the front for the merit badges) but I don't know if that is a true statement or not.

 

Anyone have any insight on this? I don't want to tell them no you can't do that if in fact you can; or the other way around.

 

thanks much,

Marietta

[CalicoPenn]

Yes - the equivalent of the red vest would be a patch blanket, though many Scouts continue to use the red vest, at least until it no longer fits them. I'm more likely to see 11 and 12 year olds wearing a red vest - its interesting that they start to outgrow the need to display all of their patches on a red vest about the time they start to outgrow the red vest.

 

The merit badge sash is used for merit badges only - offically, no other patches go on the merit badge sash, and no patches go on the back of the merit badge sash (for those very motivated Scouts that earn a great many, or all, of the merit badges, the solution is every longer merit badge sashes to display them). Of course, the contrarian in me believes the BSA should allow Scouts to use the back of the sash for patches for earned awards (not old ranks, not camporee or summer camp patches) - awards like Paul Bunyan, Mile Swim, BSA Lifeguard, 50-Miler, etc. - but at this time, the BSA sees fit not to allow it.

 

Fleece blankets can be had very inexpensively these days and make a great patch blanket. Sew a sleeve at one end that a dowel fits through so it can be nicely hung on a wall - if being laid flat (as on a bed)the dowel can be removed. It isn't neccessary to sew the patches on the blanket - a good fabric glue can be used - but if you're going to be transporting it a lot, sewing isn't a bad idea, at the very least, glue the patch down and tack-sew the patch in a couple of places.

 

A Scout is more likely to continue adding to a patch blanket than to a red vest as they grow into adulthood.

 

Calico

[emb021]

First off, the title of thread makes no sense: "Is there an equivalent of the "red vest" for Boy Scouts?"

 

the red vest IS for Boy Scouts!

 

Another option is the patch blanket.

 

Also, Scouts CAN now wear temporary patches (ONLY event patches) on the back of the merit badge sash. This wasn't always the case, but in recent years this was quitely added to the merit badge sash rules in the Insignia Guide. Please note that this does NOT include past rank patches or various 'other' awards.

 

[resqman]

A common place to put all the temporary patches is on a patch blanket. The scout store sells both a red fleece blanket and a red wool blanket. I beleive both are available with a yellow BSA universal symbol silk screened on one corner. My scout store also sells blue, red, and green fleece blankets with the Eagle medal, OA logo, or Woodbadge logo embroidered on one corner.

 

Scouts in other countries have a tradition of wearing the blanket around campfires to help stay warm. The patches stimulate conversation. Some have cut a slit in the blanket and whip stiched the raw edges to keep the blanket from unraveling. The slit allows the head to pass through the blanket and be worn like a poncho.

 

You could also place a row of button holes down one side and buttons down the other side to allow the closing of the blanket into a tube shape to be used as sleeping bag liner.

 

As a boy 30 years ago, our troop allowed boys to sew the patches on the back of the BSA red wool jacket. The current insignia guide limits patches to one large patch on the back of the red wool jacket. It can be a patch from one of the three high adventure bases or the OA patch. The Philmont bull, Seabase Shark, or the Northern Tier Loon can be worn on the shoulder.

 

The scout store also sells a 3 ring binder with plastic pages. The pages are divided into pockets to accept patches. There are different kind of pages. One page style has pockets designed for council strips. One page style has pockets with approximately 4" squares for a variety of patches. The patches can be stored in the plastic pages so are protected from grimy hands. They can easly be inserted or removed to allow for trading. The 3-ring binder includes two suitcase style handles to allow for easy carrying to patch trading sessions.

 

The scout store also sells shadow box frames. They sell one with a tan shirt material back and one with a blue shirt material back. Both of these have shirt pockets sewn onto the back. The idea is to represent a typical scout uniform and allow display of most of the badges/awards earned as a scout.

 

I made one by buying a shadow box frame from the craft store and using the back of my sons Cub Scout shirt for the liner of the back of the frame. I removed the pocket and Boy Scouts of America stripe from the shirt and sewed them on to the cloth before gluing to the frame back. I choose a frame larger than the one at the scout store. It hangs in my sons room with all his Cub Scout badges. Very cool. I created a similar shadow bow with my Explorer shirt and patches earned as a teen.

 

Temporary badges can be displayed in shadow box frames.

 

I have a large piece of red felt, approximately 4' square, that my grandmother sewed all my temporary patches on. The idea was to make a wall hanging. It is stored in a closet. The idea is a basically a patch blanket to hang on the wall.

[LongHaul]

I'd say you get whole cloth red felt at the store and make a larger vest when a boy grows out of the smaller version. The Scout Shop does have vests in XL but you may need to make even bigger ons for some scouts. Side note one of the patches on the red vest in the picture that comes with the store bought vest is from Owasippe my council camp. If the boys would wear patches on their Red Wool Jacket why would they have necessarily out grown wearing them on a red vest that fit? As a scout we wanted our patches unused for trading purposes but I earned several very striking patches from events and hikes that I really wanted to wear. 

 LH

[pargolf44067]

We actually give our red vests to boys as they make Life rank. It is a tradition within our troop and all the boys know it, so they save their patches to put on the vest. Now, not many boys wear the red vest except to COHs, but it still gives them someplace to put all their patches.

 

Bill

[fgoodwin]

I agree with emb021: temporary patches may be worn on the back of teh MB sash, according to teh Insignia Guide.

 

Its my personal opinion that loading up a bunch of temporary patches on the back of the MB sash looks horrible, but its allowed officially and many boys do it (including my son).

[mschwartz]

I've never seen the red vest anywhere but in a Cub Scout context, hence the title of the thread. Having been pointed to the Insignia Guide, I went looking for it, and found this (http://www.scouting.org/forms/34283.pdf): "Merit Badge Sash. If worn, merit badges are attached to front (and back, if needed) of sash. Venture/Varsity letter is attached at bottom front corner. Temporary insignia may be worn on back." This form is dated 2007, so I assume it is current. So what is the definition of "temporary insignia"? I went looking for that as well, and found this: "Here's what the BSA's National Uniform and Insignia Committee defines as "temporary insignia" (this is also found in the 2003 (and earlier versions) of the BSA Administration Guide). Temporary insignia: This consists of badges, pins or other items which does not fall into the advancement, position or title, unit, personal achievement, service, tenure, aquatics, or equipment decoration insignia categories. This insignia is worn, ONE piece at a time, centered on the RIGHT pocket of the official Cub Scout, Boy Scout, Varsity Scout, Venturer, Sea Scout or Scouter field uniform; or suspended from the right pocket button of the field uniform. Additionally, Boy Scouts and Varsity Scouts may choose to wear an unlimited number of temporary insignia items ONLY on the BACK of the merit badge sash starting three inches from the top edge or seam of the sash. All members may choose to display additional temporary insignia on a blanket, vest, or jacket at the option of the wearer." So I guess that answers the question! Thanks to everyone who gave answers pointing me in the correct direction. YIS, Marietta

[emb021]

"I've never seen the red vest anywhere but in a Cub Scout context"

 

Not surprising. Yet another example of a clothing item that was originally for one program slowly getting coopted by another to the point were people think it only belongs with the other program...

 

In the past it was very common for Boy Scouts and leaders in many parts of the country to wear patch vests (sometimes called 'hoedown vests'). Nowadays its rare and some think its only a Cub scouting thing.

 

The 2007 Insignia Guide is current, so what you quoted is accurate, and been in place for about 5-10 years or so. (wasn't when I was a youth).

 

Its important to note what the Guide says is 'temporary insignia' that can go back there. Too often you see scouts putting stuff like the Historial Trails Award patch or their uniform or the sash, when that is equipment decoration. (some just don't get it).

 

Also, jackets are ok, but people should not turn their red BSA jackets into 'patch jackets' like some do. There are only a limited number of patches that go on the official jacket, but too often you'll see someone who has covered their jacket in patches (front, back, sleeves, etc).

 

 

[Joni4TA]

At the risk of being redundant, I am going with the patch blanket suggestion, too.

 

Also, I guess one could put their patches in a scrapbook but I suppose that's more of a girly thing to do.

[Eagle69]

I have seen patches on a blanket and in the books with the clear vinyl pockets. I knew an adult that had been around Scouting for 50 years and he had multiple blankets of patches that were something to see, but not everyone wants to or has the time to spend doing it that way. A lot of serious patch collectors use the binders so people can flip through the book and look at patches or the displayer can remove the pages and lay them out for looking and still protect the patches.

[dileo4]

Thank you for the great suggestion on the blanket. My scout wants to display his patches and yet I don't see him wearing the vest. As far as scrapbooks being "girly", in our troop, Eagle scout court of honors just would not be complete without them.

[Buffalo Skipper]

I have an idea, which I have quietly kept in my back pocket until the right time. Have the troop "sponsor" backpack covers for the boys, say on completion of their first weekend trek. Have them "standardized," with maybe their name or troop number embroidered on it. Then patches can be sewn on as the boys like (encourage sewing over badge magic in this instance). A little Scotch Guard on the patch and inside stitching will waterproof the holes, and prevent the patches from absorbing too much water (weight).

 

I may add this to our list next year, as we will likely have an embroidery specialist (mom) join the troop in February.

[bogleb]

My solution was to take my original scout jac shirt (circa 1970), remove the sleeves and use that material to add a panel on each side including a had warmer pocket. I've also removed the collar. I maintain my scouter jac shirt just as it is supposed to with only the pocket emblem and an OA patch on the back. Now I can wear my vest by itself and still make use of my original jac shirt which still includes my camping patches I received as a boy. I also wear it over top of my regulation jac shirt on occation and it looks like I'm wearing the patches on my jacket; usually for campfires. It really does act as a great conversation starter and ice breaker with scouts and scouters alike. I only wear patches for events I've actually attended which really helps with some of the older patches without dates. Seeing other's patches also gives me ideas for patches I can design for our own troop events and campouts.

 

Downeast Bugler,

Tim

[Bob White]

If they are looking for a way to wear their temporay patches indoors then the red vest or the back of the merit badge sash are bioth approved uniform pieces.

 

If they are looking for ways to display them then the items mentioned such as blankets, scrapbooks, shadow boxes, back packs etc. would be ways to do that.

 

While you can put them on the outside of a jacket or sweat shirt, it is not suppossed to be done to official jac-shirts or windbreakers. that has been prohibited by the uniform regulations for many years.