Wearing uniforms has been a method of the Scouting movement from the
beginning. Decades of experience show uniforming to have many benefits,
including these:
- Equality. The uniform represents a democratic
ideal of equality. Boys from various cultures and different economic
levels wear the same uniform and cooperate as equals.
- Identification. The uniform identifies a boy as
a member of the Cub Scouts. Badges on the uniform tell other members
that he belongs to their den, pack, and council. The uniform itself
identifies a good citizen to the entire community.
- Achievement. The uniform displays badges and other awards so the accomplishments of each Cub Scout can be immediately recognized.
- Commitment. Wearing a uniform is a constant
reminder to each Cub Scout of his commitment to the ideals and purposes
of Cub Scouting: duty to God, loyalty to country, and helpfulness to
others.
For these reasons, among others, all parents should emphasize to
their Scouts the importance of wearing the correct and complete uniform
on all suitable occasions.
In general, every Cub Scout should wear his uniform to all Cub Scouting
activities, including den and pack meetings, unit outings, and any
activities done with members of the den or pack. When playing sports,
going to camp, or participating in other physical activities, a pack may
opt to have the Cub Scouts wear an alternate uniform, such as an
activity shirt. Pack leaders should provide advance notice of any
occasion when the boys should wear anything other than the complete
uniform.
Tiger, Wolf, and Bear Scouts
The Cub Scout uniform consists of the following parts:
- Shirt—The official uniform shirt is available
with long or short sleeves and has button-flap pockets and "Boy Scouts
of America" lettered in gold above the right pocket.
- Trousers or shorts—Official blue.
- Belt—Official navy-blue web belt with metal buckle and Tiger, Cub Scout, or Webelos Scout emblem.
- Socks—Official socks are available in three
lengths: ankle, crew, and knee. Tiger Scout socks are navy blue with
orange tops; Cub Scout socks are navy blue with gold (yellow) tops.
- Cap—Official navy-blue cap with orange front
panel and tiger emblem for Tiger Scouts, yellow panel and wolf emblem
for Wolf Scouts, blue panel and bear emblem for Bear Scouts. Webelos
Scouts wear an olive cap with a plaid panel bearing the Webelos logo.
- Neckerchief—Triangular neckerchief is orange
with navy-blue trim for Tiger Scouts, gold with navy-blue trim for
Wolf Scouts, light blue with navy-blue trim for Bear Scouts, and plaid
for Webelos Scouts. Official BSA neckerchiefs are the only neckerchiefs
boys should wear. Packs should not make their own pack neckerchiefs for
boys.
- Neckerchief slide—Official gold-tone metal slide with each rank's logo. Boys may wear handmade neckerchief slides.
Webleos Scouts
Webelos Scouts may choose to wear either the blue Webelos uniform
based on the Cub Scout uniform or the tan/olive uniform similar to the
one Boy Scouts wear.
For the tan/olive uniform, boys wear the official Boy Scout olive
trousers or shorts and official Boy Scout tan long- or short-sleeved
shirt with blue shoulder loops. Official blue socks (with gold tops) are
worn with the blue uniform, and official olive socks (with red tops)
are worn with the tan/olive uniform.
With either uniform, all Webelos Scouts wear the Webelos neckerchief
(plaid with the Webelos emblem), Webelos neckerchief slide (handmade
slides are also acceptable), Webelos cap, and Webelos belt buckle.
Note that the Webelos belt buckle will fit either the blue or the
olive belt, but the adventure loop recognitions fit only on the blue web
belt.
Badges and Insignia
When a boy first joins Cub Scouting, his uniform will display only
those badges that identify his status: the World Crest, which shows him
to be a member of the worldwide Scouting movement; the national flag;
his council strip; his pack number; and his den number. As he
progresses, the Cub Scout will earn badges, pins, medals, and other
insignia that tell of his accomplishments in Scouting. These items
should be added to the uniform only after they have been earned.