PDF Beth asked this question on the Scouter Mom page on Facebook:
I am wondering if other Scout Moms have had a similar experience…I took my older son to a Court of Honor this weekend; a wonderful and meaningful ceremony. My son proudly wore his Class A uniform which includes his Life Scout insignia, Jamboree achievement patches, ASPL patch, and Order of the Arrow pocket flap. He was also one of the few young men in the room with a NYLT Staff neckerchief. On the way home, we stopped for smoothies and as we were pulling into the parking lot, he asked, are we going through the drive through…I realized once again that, as proud as he is to wear the uniform at a Scout function, he still feels uncomfortable wearing it “in public.” I have seen this with many other boys as well. Has anyone else noticed this trend, and what can be done? These guys are the future of our country and doing great things everyday, and yet the “cool factor” is just not there. Any thoughts???
This is a complicated question. It is important though, because one of the methods for Boy Scouts is The Uniform. I’d love to hear other Scouter’s thoughts, so please feel free to comment below.
I think it is all about how they want to be perceived by their peers and what they think their peers will think when they see the uniform. And it is the Boy Scout uniform, not just any uniform. Boys don’t have any problem running around in their soccer jerseys.
But consider how Scouting and sports are depicted differently in the media. And let’s face it, media has a big impact on how youth view the world around them. Sports are cool. You can spend a whole afternoon watching sports on TV. Our sports celebrities are well paid and honored. On the other hand, I don’t know how many times I’ve watched a movie or something on TV where somebody does something and another character will say something like, “Why are you being such a Boy Scout?”, meaning why are they following the rules to the letter. At an age level where kids like to rebel a little and push the limits, being seen as a goody two shoes might not appeal.
So what can we do? Well, I think one of the most important things to do is to get the word out that Scouting is more than just helping little old ladies across the street. While the character aspect is important, what the young men come for is the adventure and independence. Get some information in the church bulletin or the school website about that upcoming rock climbing or rifle shooting outing.
In the end though, until the blockbuster movie comes out which portrays Scouting as cool, we might just have to be content that our Scouts will wear their uniforms to the meetings and be thankful they enjoy the program.
There is a movie wear scouts are cool it’s called scout camp.
We have a tradition – Dunkin’ Donuts after scouts – my boys go in uniform and all (Eagle and 2nd class)!!
My son loves to wear his scout uniform. We live in a military influenced area and the military men sometime salute him. He also loves it when he is given a compliment while wearing his uniform. I think he would wear it more if he were able to!
Having been in Scouting since the late 60′s, I have seen a lot of Scouts in uniform in public. The youth seem to be OK with the uniform as a group. But being the only one in a public place in uniform, just dos not make it for them. The uniform forms that team spirit as it should. I try, some times going out of the way, to wear my uniform. I have had many Scouts not in uniform come up to me as talk about their Scouting adventures. Yes, many folks look at me with my uniform and some come up and tell me they were in Scouting.
Okay two thoughts.
First, I once had an adult (who obviously did not know me well) Go on and on about seeing an adult leader in uniform coming home on a plane. He was alone, no scouts around and this guy kept saying how it was funny and sad that the guy did this. Even ended by remarking how maybe he was a pedophile trying to get attention from boys. That crossed my line. I let him no in no uncertain terms that he had offended me and that based on the time he was talking about, he had most likely seen an adult Volunteer returning from National Jamboree. I explained that this person had given up their time from work, and family, and all just to pay for the right to go and sleep in a tent and WORK so boys from all over could have en awsome experience. That these voulnteers lived in their uniforms while there and that scouts wear their uniforms while traveling to and from scout events. How sad the reaction from this man. He had immediately assumed the absolute worst without even asking the leader. No wonder our boys are concerned.
Second, I got to hear this question answered by an Eagle Scout from my son’s troop. He said he used to put on his uniform , then zip a hoodie up over it before leaving home, and not unzip till he was safely Inside the scout house. He didn’t want any school friends not in scouts to know because he knew they would tease him. Then one day they were talking about what they had done for the summer (school was just starting back I guess) his friends had lived in their X boxes and gone to movies. He had gone to Philmont, Camp Alexander, and more. He had Kayaked, rock -climbed, zip-lined and swam, hiked mountains, mountain boarded and pretty much all the stuff his friends had wished they were doing while sitting on their bottoms with a game. He decided that if liked scouting, if he really wanted to be an Eagle, that this was something he should be proud of not hide. and from that day on he left the hoodie home. This (while it would make a good Cubmaster’s minute) is true. I went to his Eagle Court of Honor and was, and am, proud to know him.
We need to let his example shine. I asked my sons about this and my oldest said “well… I wouldn’t Mind if others knew, but I am not going around Telling everyone.” My younger son? “Are you kidding I love scouts! Who cares what they think. They have never even come and tried it out. It’s like you talk about voting Mom, if you aren’t doing it you really have no place complaining about it. Both wear their shirts if needed in public, and both wear “Class B” shirts everywhere, even school.
I think the obvious parallel is our military men and women. How proud we are when they walk through the grocery store, or into the library, or just in everyday life when they are in uniform?
Not everyone has earned the right to wear a uniform. We wear a uniform because we choose to do something special – to be something special, and that is a scout. It means something to be a scout, and when we put on our uniform, in public or for meetings, it is a part of reminding ourselves that we are a scout.
The other parallel is priests. A priest wears his alb to perform his duties, but he often wears his collar in private life to remind himself of his higher calling.
What a great teachable moment (or cubmaster’s moment). Hmm, already thinking about my Sept cub moment!