assistant sm

[smk]

Our troop has had problems with getting kids to wear uniforms to meetings and activities. Any suggestions?

[sst3rd]

There are many ideas, but the two biggest in my opinion are; 1) the rule of no awards being presented to a Scout NOT in complete uniform (nor being allowed to participate in any other appropriate function), and to recognize those Scouts that are in complete uniform; and 2) Scouting being compared to sports teams, in that no soccer, football, baseball player would be allowed to play, nor would the player want to play, with just part of a uniform.

[P_Swigs]

There must be a source of pride in the uniform for the boys and it starts with the Troop or Pack leadership. Do the leaders wear the complete uniform? Are they crisply ironed and are they tucked in?

 

If there is a Scout with his shirt out, ask him to tuck it in. A Scout is obedient, and if he respects adults and his leaders, he will do it. SST3rd makes a good point... athletic teams must be in uniform. That makes them UNIFORM. If a football team wears green and one member shows up in purple, who looks out of place? In basketball, you must have your shirt tucked in to play. If a Scout or two show up without their uniforms or they're hanging out and looking sloppy, who looks out of place?

 

It's all in the attitude of the adult leaders. A simple statement of fact to the boys... uniforms are expected to be worn and must be worn properly so as to respect the BSA and the Scouts that came before them, and to set an example for Scouts who will follow.

[johnsned]

When I started working with my current troop 1 or 2 of the boys wore their uniforms on a consistant basis. What worked for me was, I would bring in snacks or sodas to the troop meeting to give to the boys after the meeting. Only the boys in uniform could have some. I also got some of the parents to watch the Fast Start video, seeing the troop in there uniforms made an impression on them. Now only the newest boys don't wear there uniforms, and I have not needed to keep suppling treats to those that comply.

 

This may not work for you, you know your boys. Give them an insentive, challange the patrols, make it a competition, and don't be above a good bribe.

[DFlah]

Johnsned has the right idea, but I used tootsie rolls. I gave one for the uniform (the troop neckerchief was enough, which was all the uniform when I was a boy, but that is another story), one for a full uniform, one for a Scoutbook, etc. The tootsie rolls are the small ones. They keep for ever (I was told that they found some in one of the pyramids, just kinding)they are inexpensive, you can buy them in bulk, you can use them of basic rewards and the damage to later meals is reduced.

[P_Swigs]

I'm sorry, DFlah, but bribing the Boy Scouts of my troop will never happen. It all boils down to expectations and respect. The uniform represents the BSA, your troop and one's self as a Scout. There are lots of ways to have fun with Scouting. However, I don't think having Scouts thinking about a tootsie roll (or any other reward) every time they put on their uniform is in the best interest of learning respect and being properly uniformed.

 

Expectations should be that the boys wear their uniforms and wear them properly at all troop meetings, enroute to camping events and other Scouting functions where the uniform is expected.

 

When the message is made clear at the beginning and we as leaders are consistant with it, the Scouts will know that there are clearly defined guidelines for wearing the uniform, and they're expected to be followed. We, as leaders, must lead by example and properly wear the complete uniform ourselves.

[jmcquillan]

I agree with what sst3rd said in his first post above, and I also agree with what P_swigs said about bribing a scout to wear the uniform. That doesn't set much of an example. In fact, it sets an example we should not be using.

 

IMHO, an exception to this all would be if your troop was located in an area where the average income might be so low that many scouts and families can't find the extra money to purchase a whole brand new uniform. In that case, I'd at least require everything from the waist up (shirt, etc.). But even here, there are uniform exchanges around that might provide what you're in need of. But by all means, don't reward the scout for wearing the uniform. In order to place Scouting on a level playing field with the sports that will compete for his time and interest, the uniform needs to be as important to the boy as his baseball uniform is...or at least as close in importance as we can get it.