• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

Scouter Mom

A resource Scouts and Scouting

Follow Us on FacebookFollow Us on TwitterFollow Us on InstagramFollow Us on RSSFollow Us on E-mail
  • Home
  • Cub Scouts
    • Bobcat
    • Lions
    • Tigers
    • Wolves
    • Bears
    • Webelos and Arrow of Light
    • Other Cub Scout Awards
    • Cub Scout Pack Committee
  • Scouts BSA (Boy Scouts)
    • Scout Rank
    • Tenderfoot
    • Second Class
    • First Class
    • Star
    • Life
    • Eagle Scout
    • Eagle Palms
    • Merit Badges
    • Scouts BSA Nova Awards
    • Other Scouts BSA Awards
    • Youth Leadership
    • Troop Committee
  • Venturers
    • Venturing Award
    • Discovery Award
    • Pathfinder Award
    • Summit Award
    • Venturing Ranger Award
    • Quest Award
    • TRUST Award
    • Venturing Nova Awards
    • Other Venturing Awards
  • Ideas
    • Ceremonies
    • Crafts
    • Games
    • Gathering Activities
    • Team Building Activities
    • Cheers, Run Ons, and Audience Participation
    • Prayers and Graces
    • Projects and Tools
    • Scoutmaster and Cubmaster Minutes
    • Recipes
    • Songs
    • Skits
    • Puzzles and Printables
    • Stories
    • Magic Tricks and Stunts
    • Humor
  • Program Themes
    • Cub Scout Themes
    • Scouts BSA (Boy Scout) Themes
    • Program Ideas by Holidays both Serious and Silly
  • About
    • Contact Scouter Mom
    • Gifts for Scouts and Scouters
    • Questions and Answers from Scouters

Scouts BSA and Uniforms

January 2, 2021 Leave a Comment

Beth asked this question on the Scouter Mom page on Facebook:

I am wondering if other Scout Moms have had a similar experience…I took my older son to a Court of Honor this weekend; a wonderful and meaningful ceremony. My son proudly wore his Class A uniform which includes his Life Scout insignia, Jamboree achievement patches, ASPL patch, and Order of the Arrow pocket flap. He was also one of the few young men in the room with a NYLT Staff neckerchief. On the way home, we stopped for smoothies and as we were pulling into the parking lot, he asked, are we going through the drive through…I realized once again that, as proud as he is to wear the uniform at a Scout function, he still feels uncomfortable wearing it “in public.” I have seen this with many other boys as well. Has anyone else noticed this trend, and what can be done? These guys are the future of our country and doing great things everyday, and yet the “cool factor” is just not there. Any thoughts???

This is a complicated question. It is important though, because one of the methods for Scouts BSA is The Uniform. I’d love to hear other Scouter’s thoughts, so please feel free to comment below.

I think it is all about how they want to be perceived by their peers and what they think their peers will think when they see the uniform.  And it is the Scout uniform, not just any uniform. Boys don’t have any problem running around in their soccer jerseys.

But consider how Scouting and sports are depicted differently in the media. And let’s face it, media has a big impact on how youth view the world around them. Sports are cool. You can spend a whole afternoon watching sports on TV. Our sports celebrities are well paid and honored. On the other hand, I don’t know how many times I’ve watched a movie or something on TV where somebody does something and another character will say something like, “Why are you being such a Boy Scout?”, meaning why are they following the rules to the letter. At an age level where kids like to rebel a little and push the limits, being seen as a goody two shoes might not appeal.

So what can we do? Well, I think one of the most important things to do is to get the word out that Scouting is more than just helping little old ladies across the street. While the character aspect is important, what the young men come for is the adventure and independence. Get some information in the church bulletin or the school website about that upcoming rock climbing or rifle shooting outing.

In the end though, until the blockbuster movie comes out which portrays Scouting as cool, we might just have to be content that our Scouts will wear their uniforms to the meetings and be thankful they enjoy the program.

Filed Under: Scouts BSATagged: Questions



Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Footer




 

Reliable Web Hosting

  • Popular
  • Discovery

This site is not sponsored or endorsed by the Boy Scouts of America. All opinions expressed belong to Scouter Mom and her readers.

© A2ZWare LLC and Scouter Mom, 2021 . Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from the site author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Scouter Mom with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Scouter Mom is a participant in affiliate programs and generates revenue by advertising and linking to Amazon and other affiliate sites. Your purchase of items through this website helps pay the bills to keep this site running. Thank you!