Docrwm

"Has anyone with the new uniform found it a problem to keep their shirt in? " Funny you should ask that question. I haven't bought one myself because the Scout Shop staff, who have always been helpful, informed, and very knowledgeable, were ALL commenting on how the new shirts are shorter in the same size then the old uniforms. One guy I know a bit went on to tell me that most of them have a problem keeping it tucked when they reach over their head to get something.

"In contrast, a clerk at the local scout shop told me they were required to buy new uniforms." When I chatted with a friend at the Scout Shop he said that they had already discovered that: 1 - the shirts are consistently shorter in length than the old uniforms and are pulling out of the pants when they reach above their heads 2 - the new pants in two fits are much tighter in the seat and thighs in the "normal" version and the "loose" version fits more like the old pants 3 - some of the flags are already starting to come off in instances where they have washed them 4 - the BSA in red on the front is also coming loose on several shirts 5 - sewing the patches on the bellows pockets is a "joy" [sarcasm alert] 6 - they dry out much more quickly and are cooler in general to wear These are the folks who are getting the first taste of wearing the new uniforms intensively. Their opinions carry a lot of weight with me as the guys at our Scout Shop have been uniformly positive, supportive, helpful and knowledgeable for me and my kids. As a Big Guy, I'm gonna wait until they work out the sizing issues. I know what sizes in the old uniform work for me and which don't.

Glad to hear that the Cub uniform has not been changed yet. One other question, I was under the impression that once an item is approved for wear it is always ok to wear it. We have a gentleman here in the AAC that just got recognition for his 65+ years of Scouting and he still wears his GREEN shirt as an active SM. So, why do folks keep asking "Is such and such still going to be approved for wear with....."??

Add me to those who agree that you can, and should, join the unit that best meets your family's needs. We are members at my son's school but could have joined at our Church, or at the school closer to our house, or several other choices. We decided on the one at his school because it fits our family's needs best.(This message has been edited by docrwm)

" I for one am disgusted with the quality of BSA patches lately. These illustrate what I am talking about...cut edge cloth, looks very amateurish. What happened to the old "rolled edge" knots and patches of the "good ole days". Are they really that much more expensive? These look like they were made by 10 year olds in Bangladesh...hmmmmm. " I agree that the main patches that we're required to have (e.g., rank, unit, etc.) are not of the highest quality. We've been much more happy with the non-BSA companies that we've purchased our all-in-one Unit patch and Temporary patches from over the past year. They all have coated backs and the edging is consistent with very few cables.

I know I'm rather new to all this but it seems to me that you said that there are Troops in your area that are doing well. Why not buttonhole one of their SMs at Roundtable and ask for their advice? What about your UC or local DE - they could be a real asset to you as they know the area and how other units close to you have managed to maintain more discipline and standards. Just a thought.

-----In reference to Cub Scouters (and Webelos in the tan and Green uniform too for that matter), according to the PDF link I posted earlier, They will need to have the tan and green numbers as well. That's too bad. The Tan and Green look horrible on the Blue Uniform (held some up on Saturday at the Scout Shop) and as I said you can't read them from over 20 or so yards (unlike the White on Red) which will make picking out your Pack members in a sea of other little boys in Blue uniforms much more of a problem.(This message has been edited by docrwm)

----First, welcome to the virtual campfire. It is a great place for ideas, suggestions... Thanks. ----Second, I hope that the rains from Fay are reducing the drought in that neck of the woods! Yes, we are under a Flash Flood warning here right now. The local stream that I have to cross on the way to the office was at flood stage at 10am this morning.

I'm new here so maybe this has been discussed, but most of what I read here seems to apply to Boy Scouts. What about Scouters with packs? The Cubs will be wearing White Numbers on a Red field (which is FAR easier to read then the low contrast green on tan - and at camp with 500+ boys being able to read the Pack numbers at a distance has been a real blessing) I should think that we'll remain wearing the same colors.

It's been said here already - you have to earn the Bobcat before you can earn any other rank badges. That said, remember that the standard is to do their best - not perfection. If you have a Cub who has a learning problem and has made progress and genuine effort then I see no problem with awarding them the Bobcat Badge based on the criteria that we are supposed to apply to Tigers and younger Cubs.

I'm trained as a BB & Archery instructor for BSA. One of the things I haven't seen mentioned is the issue of downplaying the entire weapons training of BSA for political reasons. There are many out there with no love of Boy Scouting. They look for reasons to put Scouting into a bad light. Maximizing control of when those wearing BSA uniforms will be involved in learning and using weapons (be they training weapons or whatever, I'll not quibble on that point) makes sense in the kind of environment where people are looking to make trouble AND the insurers are wanting every i dotted and every t crossed. Just my opinions.

I'd buy the older uniform. Sorry, but they are serviceable and look just fine to me. Add to that the fact that the new shirts are significantly shorter in the same size then the new ones and it makes it a no brainer for me. Also, I've dealt with the iron on materials used for the BSA and Flag applications in other settings and they are not going to last. So, old fashioned sewn on Flag and BSA, long enough to actually stay tucked in, and a bargain - what a great deal. I'm looking forward to the old uniforms going on sale.

I'm new to the forum and wanted to introduce myself. I'm currently a Wolf Den Leader in Pack 121 of the Atlanta Area Council. Last year I was the Tiger Den Leader and FOS Chair for my Pack. I did Cubs when I was young but somehow never crossed over. I was also involved as an Asst. Leader years ago with an Air Explorer post. I've enjoyed most of the BSA training I've done recently but honestly, like the kids, enjoyed the BB & Archery training the most. My son is having a great time and looking forward to more camping and service projects. His three highlights from last year were Fall Family Camping at Woodruff, the local parade (we led it), and Cub World at Bert Adams.