New Centennial Uniforms Revisited

The new uniforms are now in the Scout Shop. I went by to check them out, first hand. I don't think all the options are in yet but there is a good stock of the new items. The new forest green Switchback Uniform Pants are not yet available.

The first thing I noticed was that the uniform is really not that different. Once you get by the loss of the red shoulder loops and numerals, it becomes more a change of materials and cut rather than a huge change in the uniform. Yes, there are changes and yes, some people won't like them but I was very impressed by the new uniforms. They are well made, versatile and seem to be much more functional that before.

The shirt is about the same color as the old shirts. It is available in short and long sleeves in both Supplex Nylon and cotton/poly blend. The long-sleeved shirt has tabs on the sleeves so the sleeve can be rolled up and buttoned into place. The bellows pockets have the same basic look except they now have hook-and-loop closures. There is also a small pocket on the sleeve that does not appear to have a real purpose. The back of the shirt is pleated for easy movement.

I really like the new canvas pants. The forest green is not that different from the old pants. It is a good color, in my opinion. Remember the tiny lack-of -cargo pocket in the old uniform. It has been replaced by large usable cargo pockets. The literature say there is a pocket big enough for a Fieldbook. What a concept! The pants area available in both classic and relaxed fit. The relaxed fit is for those of us who have "relaxed bodies". A big change is that they are all unhemmed so you can't run in on the way to camp and pick up a pair, unless you have needle and thread. Two styles are available. The canvas has the total new design, zip-off convertible style the poly/cotton. The new Switchback is in the new forest green and is Supplex nylon but is in the same style as the older olive Switchbacks.

The new socks are great. They are a wicking blend that are very soft and look to be very comfortable. No cotton here! It took them 25 years to figure this out. There are several styles and weights including three from Thorlo. These are all official uniform socks. For some of the guys refusing to let go of the past (and you know who you are), there are no more knee socks! Welcome to the 21st century.

The red and olive mesh back cap was old, dated and for the most part ugly, has been replace by a forest green pre-curved visor model with a tone-on-tone emblem that looks much more like a cap you would buy and actually wear, if you had a choice. In my opinion, in case you could not tell, the old hat is the one piece of the uniform, more than any other, that looks 25 years old.

The updated web belt is also much more functional that the old web belt. It has a very attractive buckle design and is wider that its predecessor. Those of us who have spent the better part of a house payment buying belt buckles for leather belts for the last couple of decades won't have much use for this item.

The old uniform was 25 years old. It is time for a change. The new uniform is designed for comfort and activity. In practical terms, few of us will go out and replace everything. They are calling this uniform - transitional. That means all the old parts can be worn with all the new parts. You can't however, put red numerals on a new uniform. Let it go.

Top Ten Reasons Why Scouting Beats TV (from Lone Star Scouter)

No batteries required
Commercial-free
Strengthens families
Burns more calories
Grows character, not potatoes
Offers college scholarships
Violence-free
Develops leaders
Prepares kids for real life
#1: It’s the Ultimate Reality Show! TV shows like Survivor, Fear Factor and the Human Race have nothing on Scouting. Just ask a Scout.

http://buffaloeagle.wordpress.com/2008/08/07/top-10-reasons-why-scouting-beats-tv-hands-down/

Have a great Scouting Day!

Transition

This is the time of year when we think of gearing up for Scouting in the Fall. It is time for Cub Scout Roundups, Family Camps, Summer OA Ordeal and a full range of other unit, district and council events. Everyone is excited to get into their program. Fall is also a time to begin the plans you made in the late Spring after the Program Planning Conferences (You did plan for the year didn't you?) And then there is Popcorn! Any parent not supporting a unit popcorn sale should get their checkbook ready. Remember, you (the parent) can pay for Scouting or you can let popcorn buyers pay for Scouting! Your choice and your money.

I'm getting off track. Fall is also a time when every unit needs to think about Webelos transition. You might say the it is a little early to think about Webelos crossing over to Boy Scouts, but I beg to differ. If you are a Scoutmaster and have not made contact with units in your area, you may be too late. Every healthly, active troop regularly recruits boys from neighboring packs. They should also have a Den Chief in every den. History has proven that troops with a active Den Chief program tend to recruit more Webelos into their troop. Boy are going to go, first, where their buddies go, and second, where they know the program.

Cubmasters have just as much responsibility to the second-year Webelos. They should have already talked to the boys and their parents about moving on in Scouting. Too often the Cubmasters are looking at the end of their job, because their boys are moving on to Scouting or because they think their job is done with those scouts. It is the responsibility of the Cubmaster to make sure each and every Webelos has a opportunity and is encouraged to go on with Scouting.

The third part of this equation is the parent. It is very important to have the encouragement of the parent to continue in Scouting. In many ways, it is more important to "transition" the parent into Boy Scouts than the boys. It may also be much harder to transition the parents. Parents who have been active and involved in the Cub Committee and active in the operation of the pack are much more likely to be active in the troop. If the parents have not be active in the pack, they are less likely to be active in the troop. Again, history has shown that if the parent is active, the boy is more likely to be active.

Packs with active committees can begin the transition process early. Make sure every parent has a job in the unit. A formal Webelos transition process should begin early in the fall of the second year. This is after doing all the homework we have already discussed. Boys should visit several troops in the area. Webelos boys and their families should be encouraged to attend Webelos transition events. The Order of the Arrow Lodge is sponsoring such an event on November 15 and 16 at the Sequoyah Birthplace Museum in Vonore. Boys should be encouraged to make a decision where they are going before time to crossover. Scoutmasters should also be recruiting boys all during the year, but especially during transition times. Once again, boys are going to go where they feel welcome. Groups of Webelos moving into Boy Scouts together are all much more likely to remain active long term.

Every year we lose many boys during the transition. It is always one of our goals to achieve a higher rate of transition. In order to do this, we need every one's help. The Cubmaster, Scoutmaster, District Membership Chair, District Executive, Unit Commissioner and the parent all have a part in the transition. If everyone works together, we can decrease the loss during transition but more importantly, we can maintain the boys in the fun, excitement and adventure of Scouting.