The Kilted Crew

[TatterDel]

Good Day to all. I'm a Scouter (Boy Scouts of America) in TN and my daughter has started a Co-Ed Venturing Crew, BSA. Several of the young men and adult men would like to wear kilts. They have expressed an interest in the Utilikilts, I'm guessing because of their rugged manly look. I'm trying to convince them not to rule out tartan or charcoal gray which is the color of the pants and shorts that Venturing scouts wear. We have had many discussions and I have read many articles that talk of wearing MacLaren tartan (I'm a female Wood Badger, I wear a MacLaren sash). The two things that keep coming up are 1) Is it so wrong to wear a Utilikilt or other brand in similar style? Do they have to be tartan?
2) If the laddies wear kilts... what do the lassies wear on the hiking trail?

Any suggestions? What does the Scout tartan of scotland look like? Can we wear it in the USA?

Aidmheil, Mòralach, Misneach

[Standard]

Tatter,

An intersting question. I'm also the Lead Advisor for a Venture Crew, so I'll be sure to check back on this question often. I'm not sure of the Scottish Scout tartan, but I do know that there is no official American Scout tartan. I have heard of scouters wearing the MacLaren tartan, but personally have no firsthand knowledge of this. Perhapse some of our Scotsmen who are/were scouts could help you out on this one.

BTW to the rabble!

Here is a link that might give you some guidance, not sure how helpful it is for your question, but general info seems good.
http://www.clanmaclarenna.org/CMSNA/...3!OpenDocument

[Coemgen]

First of all, from your friendly local Poor, Starving Liberal Arts Student!

I've been involved in scouting for 7 years, and I just recently became an Eagle Scout; so, I have some experience!

I am also looking to join a venturing crew, and perhaps I could get them kilted (wishful thinking, I know, but still).

Anyhow, this is what the US Scouting Project says re: Venturing uniforms:

Can Crews choose their own uniform?

Yes. If Crews do not want the recommended uniform (see below), they can come up with their own, such as t-shirts or polo shirts with a Crew design on it (YES, they can use the Venturing logo). National also makes Venturing t-shirts and a polo shirt. Or they can choose no uniform. Be aware that the BSA tan shirt is not to be used by Venturers.

What is the Official BSA Uniform for Venturers?

The 'recommended' BSA uniform is the forest green Venturing shirt (with green, silver or gold shoulder loops as appropriate) with charcoal gray shorts or pants. As it's recommended, Crews do not have to choose this as their uniform, but if you are at an event where BSA uniforms are expected (i.e. OA events, council or national events like Jamborees, etc.), you should have and wear it. However, you must follow proper insignia placement with this shirt, including wearing the green loops (or silver or gold loops if that's appropriate for you). Insignia placement is pretty much universal, regardless of the program, youth/adult, or level of scouting.

I recommend that if Crews choose not to use the green shirt as their official crew uniform, that they allow those crew members (youth and adults) who are involved with other scouting activities (OA, council events, national events) to wear it. Wearing the green/gray Venturing uniform at such events is a great way of keeping Venturing 'alive' for others in scouting, and has a greater impact than wearing crew t-shirts/polo shirts.

Can I (or our Crew) choose to wear other color pants with the green shirt?

No. It specifically states that charcoal gray shorts or pants are to be worn. These do NOT need to be the ones made by National Supply. There are many sources for charcoal gray shorts/pants, many better than the ones supplied by National. Both Cabela's and Bass Pro Shop have several styles of shorts, pants, and zipoffs in charcoal gray at reasonable prices.

That said, I doubt that most will get upset if your crew chooses a different color. As some Venturers (and leaders) are Boy Scouts or former Boy Scouts, they probably have the BSA khaki pants and want to keep wearing them. Not proper, but so what? I would not recommend going out and purchasing new BSA khaki pants to wear, however.

[TatterDel]

[QUOTE=Coemgen;497801]First of all, from your friendly local Poor, Starving Liberal Arts Student!

I've been involved in scouting for 7 years, and I just recently became an Eagle Scout; so, I have some experience!

I am also looking to join a venturing crew, and perhaps I could get them kilted (wishful thinking, I know, but still)."


Yes, but what do think about us becoming a kilted crew? What style... cargo/ utility style for hiking and the traditional (economy version) for dressy occasions? I just saw a really nice gray on gray plaid at USA Kilts that would work with the Venturing Green shirt. We can make it optional.
Some of the girls want the utility style kilt too. Utilikilt calls this 'cross-dressing.'

[Kiltman]

Don't have an answer for your question, but welcome from Eastern Washington State.

[TatterDel]

Yes, I realize I jumped the gun and should have only posted my hello here. Perhaps there is a way to move this whole thread to a more appropriate thread area... Many thanks for greetings and the comments though.

[TatterDel]

Your a Mac user, you must be full of great ideas! Some day the Macs will rule the world and people will not remember PCs.
Some day all real men will wear kilts! Bagpipes will be part of every school band program.
Someday all men will be able to coordinate plaid with solid or argyll hose for a look that will drive the lassies wild.
Someday I will not have to explain that Celtic is pronounced with a 'K' sound at both ends. ~80)

[Coemgen]

Yes, but what do think about us becoming a kilted crew? What style... cargo/ utility style for hiking and the traditional (economy version) for dressy occasions? I just saw a really nice gray on gray plaid at USA Kilts that would work with the Venturing Green shirt. We can make it optional.
Some of the girls want the utility style kilt too. Utilikilt calls this 'cross-dressing.'

There are some who would say that it is cross dressing. I, however, am not one of them.

Personally, I'd go with a Utilikilt for outings, and a MacLaren tartan kilt for meetings and formal occasions. Stillwater Kilts carries them, if I remember correctly.

However, if the Utilikilts are too expensive, Sport Kilts has great kilts for outdoors work (like the hiking kilt and the boulder kilt), and they come with pockets. They also make women's versions.

[James MacMillan]

Tradition is a fine thing. It adds unity to things that otherwise would not have any. That is one of the reasons that the Scouting program encourages the wearing of uniforms.

The MacLaren tartan has a fine tradition in Scouting history. If I were you, I educate your charges in it's history and I would also encourage the use of that tartan.

from Sunny Southern California.

[Jock Scot]

Welcome,from Inverness-shire.I am no scouting expert,but for my brief time in the scouts those of us that had kilts wore the ones we had.Interestingly no one ever commented,one way or the other,about who wore the kilt,shorts or trousers.