Unform Required

[SSScout]

How far we have come...

As noted in "Matching Mountains with the Boy Scout Uniform" by Edward F. Reimer, c.1929::

 

""(from the label sewed into the uniform shirt, pant and short:

"This garment is purchased with the understanding that it is for the use of (name) a duly enrolled member ( ..) patrol of Troop No. (...) of (...) of the Boy Scouts of America. Any other use of it will violate the rules of the Boy Scouts of America and the contract of the merchant under which it is possible to sell the garment at its present low price. No one who believes in fair play will attempt to violate this agreement.

Any other boy than a Boy Scout who attempts to purchase or wear this uniform will be regarded by other boys and the officers of the Boy Scouts of America as an imposter. /s/ Boy Scouts of America, Two Park Ave. New York City /s/ Sigmund Eisner Co., Official National Outfitter, Red Bank, N.J."

 

And...(pg.153) "No matter whether the boy is poor or well-to-do, he should earn his own uniform and equipment by doing work at a reasonable wage, and it should be impressed upon him that he must work fairly and honestly - that he should not do some very small thing and receive a high rate of pay from parent or guardian... if each boy pays for his uniform... the problem will be largely solved whether the boys are rich or poor."

"We have noticed, too, that an earned uniform lasts better than more expensive clothes..."

 

(pg.58) "So he reads about Scouting, he dreams about Scouting, and he waits for his birthday clock to strike twelve (Ed: TWELVE!!) for then he can at last put on the cherished khaki uniform (this in acordance with the unwavering rule that the boy must be twelve years old and be a registered Scout before he can secure and wear his Scout Uniform)."

 

(pg.59) " Chief Scout Executive James E. West says " Remember the uniform you wear cries aloud 'I am a Scout'. As I have said so often, it is not necessary to wear the uniform to be a Scout. It is much more important that you live Scouting in your daily life... If you do get a uniform, see that it is correctly worn... for in the uniform, you stand for the Boy Scouts of America".

 

 

Umm,mmm, MMM! 1929...

 

 

[Stosh]

I've been able to get a full BSA uniform off of E-Bay for less than $20. That's about the same price as a good hockey stick or soccer ball.

 

My troop is full uniform only. No one has complained and no one is not without at least one full unform. Universal scouting, Council Strip and numerals and that's all that's required.

 

Stosh