A new Boy Scout in Kilt

[MuffinMan]

To my delight this week at the Boy Scout meeting, one of the lads came sporting a kilt from Frugal Corner. He gave me the thumbs up and I recieved glares from the rest of the parents all night. Four down Fifty to go.!!!

MM

[dfmacliam]

Its good that the boy wants to be kilted... as for the parents....hehehehe.... they might as well come on over the kilted side...LOL

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Maybe the parents were glaring because their sons are supposed to belong to the Boy Scouts of America, a country not noted for a tradition of centuries of kilt wearing. Possibly they were glaring because they believe that the purpose of the Boy Scout uniform is to give the boys a sense of equality regardless of economic or social status. Then again it might just be that they were glaring because they perceived some sort of "favoritism" was being shown to the boys in kilts. And ya know, some parents just aren't happy about any sort of proselytizing being done by the adult leadership of a Boy Scout troop, and that could have accounted for the glares you received.

Then again, they just might have wanted to go home.

[Highland Logan]

Maybe the parents were glaring because their sons are supposed to belong to the Boy Scouts of America, a country not noted for a tradition of centuries of kilt wearing. Possibly they were glaring because they believe that the purpose of the Boy Scout uniform is to give the boys a sense of equality regardless of economic or social status.

I agree. Can you explain why you would want to change the uniform that you are supposed to wear?

Frank

[MuffinMan]

This was not uniform night, that is one night a month where everyone wears the correct uniform, the other nights the boys come in their troop shirts with shorts or pants. This is when I wear my kilt so there is no problem with the uniform police.

MM

[Bigkahuna]

Ouch!!

[EagleJCS]

Good on him for having the guts to wear a kilt to the meeting , but, speaking as a 32-year Scouting veteran*, he should have been in proper uniform for the meeting and saved the kilt for the next camping trip or hike.

As has been previously stated, the uniform is meant to be an equalizer and is one of the Methods of Scouting. Every registered member should be wearing the correct uniform (with all of the appropriate patches in the appropriate places per the Insignia Guide) for their role in the unit. (Or as much as they can afford. My troop has a uniform 'library' with 'experienced uniforms' that a boy may borrow for as long as the uniform fits or as long as he is in the troop.)

Even when the khaki-tan shirt (some people call this the "Class A", but that's a military designation and the BSA is trying hard to get away from that) isn't being worn, the appropriate uniform is the "Activity Uniform" ("Class B"): a Scout-related t-shirt or knit shirt (troop t-shirt) and the green uniform pants/shorts.

I don't want to sound like a stickler (too late, I know ), but that's the word in my council, and that's what we tell the adults in the training courses. I have, on occasion, worn my kilt with my khaki-tan uniform shirt (and my Wood Badge necker), but I was also piping at the events in question. I have not, nor will I, wear my kilt with my uniform shirt in front of the boys when I'm not piping until the kilt becomes a valid uniform option. (I may wear it for Wood Badge, but again probably only in connection with my piping.)



*continuous membership since Cubs, Eagle Scout, former Scoutmaster, current Assistant SM, Wood Badge trained (SR-211, "I used to be a Bear..."), former District training staff, 21st WSJ ASM2, 2010 Nat'l Jamboree volunteer staff

[MuffinMan]

As I mentioned the boys and I do not wear our kilts to the proper uniform meetings only to the casual ones. I understand that many units have everyone in uniform 100% of the time, our troop does not. If asked I would would defer the uniform guidelines that do not list kilts as an appropriate uniform piece. By the way, the boys all choose different Tartans, while I usually wear my Alpha's

MM

[JolyStNicholas]

Good on the young lad for standing up for his right to wear what he chooses, regardless of the peer pressure from the other young lads in the group! The parents should show a better understanding of his feelings! And as for you, KILT ON ME FRIEND!

[Woodsman]

Perhaps a little rebellious, yes, but he is certainly a Braveheart. It is only through such actions as this that perhaps one day the kilt will be accepted attire for the scout uniform.