A new Boy Scout in Kilt

[EagleJCS]

Good on him for having the guts to wear a kilt to the meeting , but, speaking as a 32-year Scouting veteran*, he should have been in proper uniform for the meeting and saved the kilt for the next camping trip or hike.

As has been previously stated, the uniform is meant to be an equalizer and is one of the Methods of Scouting. Every registered member should be wearing the correct uniform (with all of the appropriate patches in the appropriate places per the Insignia Guide) for their role in the unit. (Or as much as they can afford. My troop has a uniform 'library' with 'experienced uniforms' that a boy may borrow for as long as the uniform fits or as long as he is in the troop.)

Even when the khaki-tan shirt (some people call this the "Class A", but that's a military designation and the BSA is trying hard to get away from that) isn't being worn, the appropriate uniform is the "Activity Uniform" ("Class B"): a Scout-related t-shirt or knit shirt (troop t-shirt) and the green uniform pants/shorts.

I don't want to sound like a stickler (too late, I know ), but that's the word in my council, and that's what we tell the adults in the training courses. I have, on occasion, worn my kilt with my khaki-tan uniform shirt (and my Wood Badge necker), but I was also piping at the events in question. I have not, nor will I, wear my kilt with my uniform shirt in front of the boys when I'm not piping until the kilt becomes a valid uniform option. (I may wear it for Wood Badge, but again probably only in connection with my piping.)



*continuous membership since Cubs, Eagle Scout, former Scoutmaster, current Assistant SM, Wood Badge trained (SR-211, "I used to be a Bear..."), former District training staff, 21st WSJ ASM2, 2010 Nat'l Jamboree volunteer staff

[MuffinMan]

As I mentioned the boys and I do not wear our kilts to the proper uniform meetings only to the casual ones. I understand that many units have everyone in uniform 100% of the time, our troop does not. If asked I would would defer the uniform guidelines that do not list kilts as an appropriate uniform piece. By the way, the boys all choose different Tartans, while I usually wear my Alpha's

MM

[JolyStNicholas]

Good on the young lad for standing up for his right to wear what he chooses, regardless of the peer pressure from the other young lads in the group! The parents should show a better understanding of his feelings! And as for you, KILT ON ME FRIEND!

[Woodsman]

Perhaps a little rebellious, yes, but he is certainly a Braveheart. It is only through such actions as this that perhaps one day the kilt will be accepted attire for the scout uniform.

[Ancienne Alliance]

Good on the young lad for standing up for his right to wear what he chooses, regardless of the peer pressure from the other young lads in the group! The parents should show a better understanding of his feelings! And as for you, KILT ON ME FRIEND!

Hear, Hear !

[muirkirkca]

Recall a scout leader years ago in Toronto suburb wearing a kilt with khaki shirt out for a hike with the pack.
Try an inter-net search on "boy scout kilt" and Stillwater site should show some pictures of scout leaders wearing the MacLaren tartan. There is also a Scottish Scout tartan.

[Chas]

The Scottish Scout Tartan:


The information held within The Scottish Register of Tartans for the "Scottish Scouts (1922)" tartan is shown below.

STA ref: 1294
STWR ref: 1294
Designer: Glentanar, Lord
Tartan date: 01/01/1922
Registration date: This tartan was recorded prior to the launch of The Scottish Register of Tartans.
Category: Corporate

Restrictions: None

Registration notes: This count was taken from a kilt bought from the Scottish Scout Shop in Edinburgh in 1922. Designed by Chief Commissioner of the Scout Association of Scotland, Lord Glentanar who was George Coats of Paisley thread-making fame. It was for the use of Scouts having no tartan of their own or for Scout troops requiring a uniform tartan. Black Watch in three shades of grey. It didn't achieve great popularity. In 1989 a variation in which light grey changed to white was being marketed as 'Dress Grey Watch'.



Who knows what this would cost to produce today. It is also debatable as to whether the boys would like it - it is rather bland.

Regards

Chas

[vorpallemur]

Who knows what this would cost to produce today. It is also debatable as to whether the boys would like it - it is rather bland.

I rather like it. I've recently seen a cotton flannel in this (or a very near variant).

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Good on the young lad for standing up for his right to wear what he chooses, regardless of the peer pressure from the other young lads in the group!

Actually, unless you know something the rest of don't, there is no mention of "peer pressure" in the original post, or anywhere else that I can find. What was discussed was the appropriateness of showing up at a Scout meeting in Arizona in a kilt-- something that is fine and dandy back home in Scotland, where the kilt is part of the authorized Boy Scout uniform, but is as out of place as a dashiki or turban would be when worn with the Boy Scouts of America uniform in the United States.

The parents should show a better understanding of his feelings!

Actually, the parents of the boy should show a better understanding of the reason and purpose of the Scout uniform and try to instill a degree of respect and discipline in their child by insisting that he conform to the group norm.

Children (and some adults) have to learn that it's not always just about "me". That's one of the things Scouting teaches boys, and one of the ways that it teaches that lesson is by having the boys all wearing the same uniform.

[Tony]

, but is as out of place as a dashiki or turban would be when worn with the Boy Scouts of America uniform in the United States. Actually, the parents of the boy should show a better understanding of the reason and purpose of the Scout uniform and try to instill a degree of respect and discipline in their child by insisting that he conform to the group norm.

Sikhs are barred from Boy Scouts?
who knew?