Motivation to wear Scout Uniform

[T-996-SanDiego]

Here in Southern California the general attitude about clothing is the more casual the better. It's a challenge to get the boys in our troop to dress in their class A uniforms regularly and properly. Any ideas on how to motivate them? Incentives? Someone to give a talk on the importance of the uniform, taking pride in it etc.? Part of the problem, from what I understand from the boys, is that "other kids" (i.e. in their neighbor hoods or at school) have teased them about their uniforms - it's peer pressure issues. If anyone has any ideas on this matter I would greatly appreciate it. TX!

[David L. Perkins]

The answer is simple and is found in the history of Scouting as founded by Lord William Baden Powell. As the story goes, England had two classes, rich and poor. Lord Baden Powell wanted to form a group to help these lazy, misguided rich boys and the very poor, totally unguided street kids.

 

The first principal is to create a level playing field. An atmosphere where everyone is EQUAL. Everyone is ACCEPTED and can readily be seen as a MEMBER of the organization. The answer was used army uniforms. Matching shirts, pants, leggings, boots, belts, scarfs and hats. Regardless of their background, if they all were clean and had a hair cut, without speaking, it was hard to tell if one was rich or poor.

 

Today, with fashion being what it is in school, the blue jeans, shirts, shoes, hats, etc. used to classify each boy into which group he belongs, the need for uniforms in Scouting is as important as it ever was. When the adults wear the uniform properly, they look like Scouters (Scout leaders) and when the Scouts wear the uniform properly, they will all look like Scouts. The distinguishing features being their Rank, Patrol, membership in OA, and patches representing envolvement in special events or campouts. And it is these things (competition) that encourage the Scouts to want to participate and be involved. If they don't wear their uniform, then the items worn on the uniform become meaningless. Think about it.

 

If Scouts want to wear their socks down aroung their shoe tops instead of up aroung their knees, so what? Atleast they are wearing them. Scout uniforms do change over time and it is usually in responce to the Scout's desires to be modern and more up to date, fashion wise. Nothing wrong with that. I wear my socks down around my shoes too. Never could keep them up anyway!

 

If you tell them this story, they will understand more the background of what Scouting is and how it came help them. There are many stories like this that also will help them. Hope this helps you.

[papamike]

I've also been perplexed with this issue since my time as a Scouter. Being in the military, I wouldn't think of going to work in anything but my uniform, however, I can't wait to take it off when I can. I think the bottom line is its as important as you wish to make it. If leaders are uniformed and place alot of importance on it it will filter down to the boys. Also, explain to them that if they belonged to a ball team, would they think twice of showing up for a game in cut off shorts and a t-shirt and no glove? No, I think not. So why then would they wish to be a Scout and not want to wear the "team" uniform?

YIS

Mike Gray

Scoutmaster Emertus T-282/T-53

Lowcountry District Training Chairman

NE-IV-98 BBBobwhite

[Tiny1pj]

It is going to be an increasing problem with the attitude against any uniformed organization. This is especially so with our current president and v.p., who cater to the homosexual vote, and not doing anything to support scouting.

 

The number one thing you can do to get the boys to wear their uniforms is the easiest: WEAR YOUR COMPLETE UNIFORM AT ALL APPROPRIATE EVENTS. If you are unwilling to wear your COMPLETE uniform, with pride, why/how can you expect the boys to? As a Tiger Coach and Webelos Den Leader, I wear my Den Leader uniform to ALL Pack and den functions. I make it clear first by my example, then by my regular inspecctions of my Webelos what is expected. They are encouraged to try to find errors in my uniform. This gives them an incentive to be better than me.

As a Troop Committee Chair/Assistant Scoutmaster, I wear my COMPLETE troop uniform to every troop event AND to roundtables. The same is true when I am representing District as and activities committee member.

 

The example set by you, the leader, is the most important. Then you can work on making sure they all have uniforms, regardless of financial situation. I have provided most of my boys with uniforms from the local thrift shop. It does not cost me anything except time. The boys appreciate the help, and wear the components they have.

 

Paul Johnson

Tiger Coach

Webelos Den Leader

T-4013 Committee Chair

Lander,WY

[Dutchman]

In a Troop I used to be affiliated with, before I left and started a new Troop, we used attendance as a carrot. At the weekly meetings a boy in uniform got 2 points, a boy in attendance but not in uniform got 1 point, and a scout not there got 0. At the end of the year, the boy with the most points earned 1/2 his summer camp fee as an award.

 

You could use other awards, but keep the attendance over a year and watch the uniform wearing increase...