Re: [Philmont]: Uniform

This is indeed a hot-button topic, and you will doubtless get many
responses - there are probably already a dozen queued up on the server.
  Here's is a response I wrote several years back, slightly modified,
which I feel pretty much covers the "pro" side:

There is no official Philmont policy on uniforms. You are strongly
encouraged to travel in *full and proper* Scout Uniforms; it (almost)
always guarantees help if you need it on the road, plus gets you
(sometimes fantastic) "auto"-discounts at various restaurants and
diversionary activities, plus people usually are much nicer, you will be
approached many times by former and present Scouters, including many
Philmont trekkers, your Scouts are a heck of a lot easier to spot in
crowded areas (like airports), and - maybe most importantly - Scouts who
are dressed as Scouts tend to behave as Scouts. And after the initial
reluctance, the Crew will soon take pride in their appearance.

At the Ranch, they strongly encourage arrival in Uniform, plus
attendance at the Opening and Closing Campfires in uniform. Compliance
is sporadic, but no-one gets their chops busted over it that I have ever
seen. Class B's with Crew T-Shirts, or hiking clothes are the norm for
walking around Basecamp.

My guess is that if your Troop is normally full uniformed, you will not
have too much trouble on this issue. Based on numerous past commentary
on this and the bowline.org lists, provo Crews where the Scouts come
from a variety of backgrounds from "There's an Option???" right down to
"What's a Uniform?" tend to have to a much more difficult time -
especially on the return trips.

As a final note, Scout uniforms are definitely *not* recommended for use
on the trail. Please don't do that to yourself or your Scouts.

- Dr. Bob

Troop 6 Scoutmaster wrote:
> OK, I'm sure this is gonna light a fuse ... but here goes ...
>
> Our council contingent always travels in ClassA, in fact with the
> exception of the rafting trip they take on tour they go ClassA all
> the way from Home to the Welcome Center. Return is the same drill.
>
> My plan with our Troop Crews is to do the same, but, I'm getting some
> push back from some of the boys. From my perspective, uniforming is
> a method of scouting, a ClassA uniform is required for some
> activities at the ranch, so, what better way to ensure that we have
> everything we need then to wear it. Before I become an immovable
> object on this topic I'd like the skinny on ClassA uniforms and
> Philmont. Where are they required and where are they optional?
>
> I'm sure I won't have to ask for general opinions on this topic.
>
> Thanks in advance
>
> YIS
>
> Jim
>
> Jim Thompson Scoutmaster, West Chester Troop 6 Tour Leader, 715-D1,
> 715-D2
>

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Received on Tue May 4 06:59:14 2004