Quote Originally Posted by rocscotjoe View Post
As a Scouter (ASM and 2001 Jamboree SM) I struggle with the rigidity of the uniforming guidelines, especially when dealing with young men of limited means and the expense of uniforms. If anyone wants to suggest uniform exchanges, I think they are fine, but also remember how cruel young people can be when I am observed wearing your "hand-me-downs".
Here's how it was handled in Troop 214 back in the late 50's and early 60's. My troop had a mix of rich kids, poor kids, black kids, white kids. Our meeting uniform was the scout "overseas" cap, a red troop neckerchief, a scout uniform shirt, and a pair of jeans. Outdoors we added a red baseball cap, and if it was cold, a red watch cap. I doubt the whole uniform-- jeans included-- cost more than about twelve bucks in 1959.

Every boy who joined our troop-- filthy rich or dirt poor-- was given a hand-me-down shirt, and was told that he was expected to live up to the achievements of the other scouts who had worn that shirt. It was an honour to wear that shirt, to follow in the footsteps of all those scouts who had previously worn it. And no scout was allowed to wear a new shirt until he earned the privilege. When a boy made First Class Scout he was presented with a new shirt by the Troop with his FCS badge sewn on the pocket. I can not tell you how proud I was of my new shirt, because I had earned it.

Yes, kids can be cruel about hand-me-down clothes. But, with a little perspective, they can also be motivated to earn their shirt.