Uniforms

Uniforms have always been an important aspect of Scouting. Why? One reason stands out above all the rest. We wear the uniform because it is a means of identifying ourselves openly with the principles to which we are committed–character development, citizenship training, and physical and mental fitness.

The fact that youth and adult members of Scouting wear a uniform doesn’t mean that we’re all alike. We come from different ethnic and racial backgrounds. We have our own religious beliefs and political views. We are each individuals with our own family traditions and loyalties. So the uniform is not intended to hide our individuality. But it is a way we give each other strength and support. It is a bond that ties us together in spite of our differences. It is a way of making visible our commitment to a belief in God, loyalty to country, and to helping other people.

The Scouting movement is built on positive values. As we wear the uniform, we are openly identifying ourselves with those values where everyone can see us. We stand together, not alone, in encouraging others to live by those same principles. Boys and adults alike should take pride in belonging to such a movement and wear the uniform as it is intended.

Uniforms for Tigers, Bears and Wolves (Class A)

Trousers and shorts	Official Cub Scout blue trousers or shorts should be worn.
Shirt	Official Cub Scout long- or short-sleeve dark blue shirt with button-flap pockets. Has gold “Boy Scouts of America” lettering on right shirt front. Proper insignia should be sewn on.
Neckerchiefs	Official Tiger, Wolf or Bear neckerchief is worn, as appropriate.
Neckerchief Slides	Official gold-colored metal slide with Cub Scout emblem. Handmade neckerchief slides may also be worn.
Cap	Official Tiger, Wolf or Bear baseball-style cap-navy with gold front panel and Cub Scout emblem.
Belt	Official navy blue web belt with metal buckle and Cub Scout emblem.
Socks	Official navy blue Cub Scout socks with gold tops are worn with shorts and with trousers.

Uniforms for Webelos (Class A)

Two Uniforms to Choose

The Webelos Scout may choose either the blue Webelos uniform based on the Cub Scout uniform, or the tan/olive uniform similar to the one worn by Boy Scouts. The location of badges and insignia is the same for both uniforms.

The Webelos Blue Uniform

With the blue uniform, the trousers, shorts, and shirt are the same as those described for the Cub Scout uniform. Official blue socks (with gold tops) are worn with the blue uniform.

The Webelos Tan Uniform

When the tan/olive uniform is chosen, official Boy Scout olive trousers or shorts and official Boy Scout tan long- or short-sleeve shirt with blue shoulder loops are worn. Official olive socks (with red tops) are worn with the tan/olive uniform.
The following parts are worn with both uniforms:

Neckerchiefs	Official Webelos neckerchief-triangular; blue, green, gold, and red plaid, with Webelos emblem.
Neckerchief Slides	Official Webelos neckerchief slide-gold colored metal with Webelos emblem. Handmade slides may also be worn.
Cap	Official Webelos baseball-style cap-navy blue with light blue front panel and Webelos emblem.
Belt	Official Cub Scout navy blue web belt with metal Webelos buckle. Either the official Boy Scout olive web belt with metal Boy Scout buckle or the blue belt with Webelos buckle may be worn with the tan/olive uniform.

Other Things to Wear

Class B Uniforms

For some activities, especially those where the potential for getting dirty is high, it may be appropriate to wear “Class B” uniforms. Generally, Class B uniforms are more casual and consist of a Pack T-shirt, a BSA logo polo shirt or a similarly Scout-themed shirt and short or jeans. Class Bs are not appropriate for most den meetings, Pack nights, parades or other outings.

“Brag” Vests

Red patch or “brag” vests are not part of the official Scout uniform. They can be worm by Scouts for the display of temporary, activity, participation or other patches that have been earned or received as part of the Scouting experience. Vests can be work with the official uniform for all activities except uniform inspections.

Where Do All Those Pins and Patches Go?

There are rules and guidelines about how and where the uniform should be worn, and there are proper places for each badge and insignia. You can download a PDF file of the official BSA Youth Uniform Insignia Guide here.