The Scouting Uniform
Scouts BSA Troops 641 and 8641, and Venture Crew 641
The Scouting Uniform
Wearing the Scout uniform is one of the aspects of Scouting. Scouts should wear the uniform for any official Scouting activity. The complete uniform consists of an official Scouts BSA shirt, pants, socks, belt, neckerchief, merit badge sash, and associated badges. Scouts are encouraged to wear the complete uniform, but a new Scout can start off with just the Scout shirt and badges and add the other items later.
Get a short-sleeve, Scouts BSA shirt a couple of sizes too large – a Scout will grow into it quickly. Insignia (emblems, badges, patches, and numerals) can be sewed on or applied using Badge Magic (adhesive patches).
A new Scout will need the following:
To purchase immediately (total cost less than $50):
- Scouts BSA uniform shirt
- Scouts BSA shoulder loops
- World Scout crest emblem
- Chief Seattle Council shoulder patch
Can be purchased later:
- Scouts BSA uniform pants
- Scouts BSA uniform belt
- Scouts BSA uniform cap
- Merit badge sash
Provided by the troop at no cost to scout:
- Troop numerals
- Neckerchief
- Neckerchief slide
- Badge of Rank
The Troop often has “hand-me-down” shirts available – check with the Troop Quartermaster.
During the summer months, our Troop wears “Class B” uniforms (Scouting-related tee shirts) instead of the full “Class A” uniform. These can be purchased; however, a Scout will probably pick one up as a souvenir at any Scout summer camp he/she attends. And, of course, it’s never wrong to wear the full “Class A” uniform.
Scoutmasters also wear the official uniform. Adult committee members are welcome to wear a uniform if they wish. If you are an adult “staffing” summer camp, you are strongly encouraged to wear the uniform. If you’re an adult attending one of the Scouts BSA high adventure camps (like Philmont), you will be required to wear a uniform.
The Venturing uniform also has a shirt (in Venture green) and badges, but no neckerchief or merit badge sash.
What insignias and where to place them on a Scouts BSA shirt?
Two great references:
1) “Adventure Ahead!” section of the Boy Scout Handbook
2) Online Scout Shop: Scroll down the page to: Scouts BSA Insignia Guide.
The Scout Shop also has a good tool: Uniform Builder
Sources for purchasing a scout uniform and accessories:
National Scout Shop: https://www.scoutshop.org
Puget Sound (Seattle) Scout Shop:
Retail location: 3120 Rainer Avenue South, Seattle, WA 98144
They also provide “mail order” and “pick-up at store” service, for details see: https://www.seattlebsa.org/scout-shops.