looking for advice: Presenting the kilt to Cub Scouts

[Kilted Jeeper]

So this weekend I am missing out on the local Tartan Day festivities to participate in a cub scout camping trip with my son (I am one of the den leaders). I discussed the idea of wearing my kilt on the trip with the scout leader as a tribute to Tartan Day and also because kilts are the best for hiking. He agreed so long as I was willing to give a 10-15 minute presentation to the scouts. I of course quickly agreed as spreading the gospel of kilting is always a great option.
Here is my question to the group....

I need to be able to give a short history of kilts and tartans to a group of boys that are 7-11 years of age. I can discuss this topic all day long with an adult willing to listen to me that long, but I'd like to be able to both educate as well as entertain the boys. Are there any suggestions as to what points I should touch on? Any I should avoid?

Thanks in advance.

[Chas]

Send a PM or email to Panache (Jamie Tanner) - he has just gone through the same thing with his son.

Regards

Chas

[MacMillans son]

Developmentally, that is a pretty wide age group (2nd-6th grade?), so I would use a multi-sensory approach, visual, auditory, tactile. Talk a little about who, what, where, why and how, and support it with pictures and samples of tartan, sporran, and even a kilt, if you have an extra, for them to see and feel.

Don't forget your sgian dubh, and it's true history (utility knife used by hunters/gamekeepers), not the knife hidden under the arm pit story. Scouts should appreciate a good knife!

Good luck!

[Lallans]

Since cubs and scouts camp out a lot, or think about it, I would relate the stories about how the original Great Kilt was used as personal sleeping bag and even an actual shelter. Overall, I suggest an emphasis on the manly war-like origins of the kilt, and the total avoidance of anything touching on undergarments.

[TheNaughtyScot]

http://www.stillwaterkilts.com/scouts.html

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...t-kilts-13309/

http://histclo.com/youth/youth/org/s...o/scoutsco.htm

http://www.scouter.com/forums/viewTh...hreadID=214045

http://www.kiltsrock.com/forum/index...nd-boy-scouts/

[Paul Henry]

snip...
Overall, I suggest an emphasis on the manly war-like origins of the kilt,
.....snip

War like origins?

Perhaps heroic deeds might be a more gentle approach...

[Lallans]

War like origins?

Perhaps heroic deeds might be a more gentle approach...

I don't want to get drawn into a quarrel but take a look at Scottish history in the context you suggest, and also at the interests of little boys.

[Paul Henry]

I don't want to get drawn into a quarrel but take a look at Scottish history in the context you suggest, and also at the interests of little boys.

I merely wanted to see your sources that the kilt's origin was from warfare

[MichaelPHahn]

You can find pictures of Scottish Scouts wearing kilts (I believe that they are authorized to wear any tartan they like). Also, you can talk about Clan MacLaren - there is a historical link between Wood Badge training and the MacLarens (check out http://www.clanmaclarenna.org/ go to the scouting link).

Thank you for investing in the boys!

[TheNaughtyScot]

I would skip the warfare origins, even if the Scouts are organized in a paramilitary fashion, and just go with the Scottish Scout connection. The link below talks about kilts and Scouts in detail:

http://histclo.com/youth/youth/org/s...o/scoutsco.htm