A new Boy Scout in Kilt

[ChrisfromMO]

I'm a Den Leader and I've worn a kilt, Black Watch, to a Pack camp out. Folks loved it. In fact when we wrote or by-laws we left the pants option open. At the Cub Scout level the uniform is defined by the Pack By-Laws. This may be different from the Boy Scout Troop. Stillwater makes boys kilts that are on par price wise with the Cub Scout pants.
My sons own three. Also, if I'm not mistaken B-P wore a kilt. I think there is a picture of him in a kilt on a thread here.
Chris

[GMan]

One turns into two, two turns into four, four turns into eight, etc.

[O'Callaghan]

My usual disclaimer, I'm not a scouter, although my wife is.

In our council there are very few boys who wear the scout trousers. Most parents say they are too expensive. This is unrelated to the recession, and this is not a low income area, although it is a high cost area. If they show up in green trousers of any type there is great rejoicing, but most wear jeans or khakis with their scout shirts. You can take a horse to water, but you can't make him drink. How anyone gets strict observance of uniform rules in a voluntary organisation is a mystery to me, although evidently many seem to.

In the above context, I would say that a kilt is no better or worse than a pair of blue denim jeans. Come to think of it, I have seen one of the boys wearing a utilikilt or similar, but none of the leaders.

I have previously pontificated on the scout kilt rules on the other side of the pond, but I will just say that it is not only Scotland that permits kilts as uniform. However, Scotland allows any tartan on any scout, whereas in the rest of the UK you must of Scottish descent and either be 'entitled' to the particular tartan, or else wear Maclaren. Saffron kilts are also permitted in Northern Ireland, and for any scout of Irish descent in the rest of the UK. In the Republic it seems that anyone in a troop scarf is 'in uniform' AFAIK.

[EagleJCS]

At the Cub Scout level the uniform is defined by the Pack By-Laws. This may be different from the Boy Scout Troop.

That may be, Chris, it's been a while since I've been involved directly with Cubs. I don't want to sound like a hard-nose (I know, too late , but Scouting is my second family, and I defend my family), nothing I can see in the literature I have makes that distinction. In fact, the national website even has a page (here) indicating the full uniform should be worn. The reason being, as has been said before, is that the uniform is an equalizer. Again, paraphrasing from the Insignia Guide (which covers all of the various BSA programs and uniforms), no other additions/subtractions may be made without approval from the Executive Board.

I wouldn't call anyone out in public for not wearing the complete uniform (not my place), but if I had the opportunity, I might give them a heads-up on the side.

Also, if I'm not mistaken B-P wore a kilt. I think there is a picture of him in a kilt on a thread here.
Chris

I've seen lots of pictures of B-P, but none in a kilt. Shorts, but no kilt. Per Hamish in this thread, B-P wore the kilt, but I haven't seen a picture yet.

That thread also notes that only Venture Crews may choose their uniform, since there is no official uniform for the Venture program. (There is a recommended standard uniform - the green "Explorer" shirt and gray pants - which crews are expected to wear at National and International events - i.e. Jamborees, etc. - but there is no required uniform as there is in the other programs.)