Grayfeathers

Thanks to all who responded. I didn't realize there were such a deversity in the uniform issue. To respond to some of the comments; We are a boy led troop. We allow the boys to make most if not all the desisions. The leaders and myself are there mainly to make sure that the desisions are within reason. If I were to let the PLC or the troop make the decisions about the uniform it would be soccer shorts and muscle shirts. I was in scouts for only a short time in my youth and I was not in any branch of the military. However, my father, a Navy man, taught me to respect the uniform and the flag. I feel it my responsibility as a scoutmaster to teach the boys to respect the same and I do have the following of my fellow leaders. All of my scouts are not what I'd call poor. They all have the money to purchase the uniforms and they do wear them during the COH but getting to wear them any other time is a chore. We have certain rules when it comes to uniforms such as wearing them while traveling to and from a campout or event, wearing the on the first and third meetings of the month, wearing them to dinner during summer camp, and PLC meetings. But when it's required to wear the uniform, it's the "Class A" and shorts. I do appreciate all those who responded. I understand that there are those that think that there are "bigger fish to fry" but at the same time I feel that you should wear the complete uniform or not at all. I just wanted to know how everyone else thought of the subject and now I know. Thanks again.

I need your input. I've been dealing with this for some time and I want to know if I'm just being too strict. I have been a scoutmaster of a troop for nearly five years now. The previous scoutmaster was, in my opinion, way to lax with the uniform code. I feel that when wearing the uniform, you should respect it by wearing all of the uniform not just the class A. I have scouts that just want to wear the class A and jeans or worse, gym shorts. We just got back from summer camp and there was a troop there that were all dressed the same. They had the same scout shorts, class b, the same neckerchief, same hat, and even the same scout socks. I made sure that I pointed this troop out to my guys and the response was not a good one. I understand that some of these boys don't have the money to buy new pants everytime they grow out of their current clothes but I think they should be wearing the full uniform not just their class A. I want my troop to look like the troop that I saw at summer camp. Am I asking too much??

These are all excellant ideas. I'm going to bring all of these to the committee next week. Thanks for your input.

We are looking to do a non traditional summer camp with our boys next year. I'm looking for a camp ground in or around the Cherokee area of NC. Two years ago we did a camp in Racoon Mt. Tenn. The camp grounds offered several merit badges for the boys to earn during the week as well as having some fun activities that the boys enjoyed. The boys were also able to earn their railroading merit badge while we were there. Does anyone know of a campground in this area that the boys could camp and earn merit badges as well? Thanks in advance.

I've been in scouting for about eight years and I have been Scoutmaster for five of those years. I'm looking forward to networking with other scouts and making new friends along the way.