Campaign hats for female Scouters

[scamp 10]

Our Wood Badge SM has declared that all staff will wear campaign hats, including the female staffers (currently I am the only female Scouter on staff). I always thought the campaign hat was NOT authorized for women, but I've been mistaken once or twice in the past :-). Does anyone have any thoughts on this. Is there a definitive resource, such as the Insignia Control Guide, Uniform Inspection Sheet, Scoutmaster's Manual, etc. that states one way or the other whether or not female Scouters wear the campaign hat? Should I contact National? As you may have gathered, I am not real happy with the idea of wearing the campaign hat.

[Rooster7 11]

It sounds as if the Wood Badge SM is requiring everyone to outlay a rather large expense for something that is not really required. I don't know if that is a true statement, but if it is, I would pick a fight just on principle. We, adult volunteers, already have to spend large amounts of money, time, and energy, without folks inventing new requirements. I wouldn't bow down to a demand for a large expense like this unless someone could justify it to me.

[jmcquillan 10]

Having served on a number of WB staffs, I've seen this go a couple of ways, and usually, there aren't any complaints. A couple of the courses I served on required full time wearing of the campaign hat only for the "senior" staff (SM, ASM's). All others wore the BSA baseball hat. The only exception was the final weekend ceremony, where all staff wore the campaign hat.

 

Others I've been on required the campaign hat for all, male or female. There was never any question about whether or not the campaign hat was authorized for women. I'd find that a rather foolish dictate, if it exists. Unlike yourself, none of the female staffers I know ever had a problem with the campaign hat. Of course, most of the folks I've served with have owned the hats for many years, and I would admit that it's quite as expense for someone who is "volunteering" their time and energy to be on staff.

[Stan Riddle 10]

Ask your SM if the campaign hats are for sale at COUNCIL prices. You may find this to be somewhat lower that the retail price, and possibly a bargain.

 

If you don't want it after the course is over, and you can get it at council price, order a 7 1/4, and let me know when you're finished with it:)(This message has been edited by Stan Riddle)

[scamp 10]

Thanks for your responses. I believe that I will be wearing headgear as described by jmcquillan, that is, the BSA ballcap for the first part of the course and the campaign hat for the final weekend. Our SM also said we wouldn't have to buy a campaign hat if don't already own one; that a loaner would be obtained.

 

But again, my real question is: is the campaign hat authorized head gear for female Scouters? Apparently it is, since those of you who are a lot more experienced than I say they've seen women wearing a campaign hat. I never have.

[eisely 13]

I am not aware on any restrictions on who can wear a campaign hat and who cannot. If you want to wear it, wear it. I am more disturbed by the requirement that volunteers purchase an expensive hat that will seldom be used.

[Tiny1pj 10]

I find it amusing that so many people have no problem paying 40-100 for clothing they rarely wear, yet balk at a uniform item.

 

In my course, EVERYONE was in full uniform, the SAME uniform, all the time not sleeping or bathing. Yes, the female leader did wear a campaign hat for "dress" times, especially for colors in them morning. Then we all changed to "class B's" for the activities, then back to "class A's" for evening meal.

 

As an instructor, you will be setting the tone of the course to the students. Since you must have taken wood badge already, you should be aware that there is a lot about the uniform helping to build the sense of belonging. The campaign hat, beads, and position insignia, were the only things that distinguished the students from the staff.

 

Not only did our staff wear campaign hads, but all also wore the red woolrich jacshirt.

 

As for cost, forget the "official BSA" hat, and check on the net for a less expensive one. Prior to this sites problems with it's catalog sales, I purchased mine for $29, not much more than many people pay for an official NFL, NBA, or pro baseball logo hat.

 

The jac-shirt is a significantly differant matter. Mine will have to be custom made, a 60 chest, with 39" arms. I know of no alternatives for this.

 

As for the wearing of a had, any hat worn by a male can be worn by a female. The insignia guide makes no distinction of sex when it discusses headgear (1997-1999, p.3, final paragraph). It mentions that the Adult Universal Hat Pin may be worn on the campaign had and the expedition had.

 

Paul Johnson

[jhoffman 10]

Tell the SM that having the hat is nice and ask him to supply one. If he is unable to, remind him that you are there to pass on your knowledge. It's not the hat, it's what's under the hat that you have to offer. Sometimes we forget why we have training. If you are in full uniform, (BB Cap) then that should be enough. This is not boot camp and we're not in the Marines. Have Fun :-)