The Kilted Crew

**Amoskeag** · 26th February 08, 04:21 AM

I suggest you speak to your unit commissioner and/or your district exec. I usually use them as my sources (unless they disagree with me

) I'm a Scoutmaster and I wear McLaren as a "de facto" tartan as I choose not to be Wood Badge. A friend in MD just ordered two UKs to wear at camp. He spoke to the camp director about it and he had no problem other than youth protection rules prevented "regimentalism".

Originally Posted by James MacMillan

Tradition is a fine thing. It adds unity to things that otherwise would not have any. That is one of the reasons that the Scouting program encourages the wearing of uniforms.

The MacLaren tartan has a fine tradition in Scouting history. If I were you, I educate your charges in it's history and I would also encourage the use of that tartan.

Here! Here!

Jay is absolutely right on this one. A former Scoutmaster, in his "infinite wisdom" let the boys choose their own uniform code or in this case lack thereof. To this day he can't figure out why he had so many problems with the boys. I'm still having a hard time getting the boys to wear green p*nts. Sorry for the digression, I'm done now

I used SWK Thrifties simply for the economy and ease of care. Now I'm actually considering a UK(or of that ilk), which is almost heresy to an old stick in the mud like me.
Either way we gotta see Crew pictures!
Bob

**McFarkus** · 26th February 08, 06:00 AM

from Chicago.

**Standard** · 26th February 08, 06:12 AM

Originally Posted by James MacMillan

Tradition is a fine thing. It adds unity to things that otherwise would not have any. That is one of the reasons that the Scouting program encourages the wearing of uniforms.

The MacLaren tartan has a fine tradition in Scouting history. If I were you, I educate your charges in it's history and I would also encourage the use of that tartan.

from Sunny Southern California.

I would admonish you to teach your crew that the kilt, if you adopt it as such, is their uniform and not to be taken lightly, or treated as a costume. The kilt as a uniform piece in the US would of course be out of the norm, and as such open to ridicule from others, although this should not be the case, we all know how history treats that which is other than the norm. If, however your entire crew treats the kilt, and the traditions behind it, with the respect due the 'normal' Venturing uniform I would think that attitude would go a long way toward the acceptance of your particular choice.

As for another comment concerning speaking with your District Representative, I would definately do that, if for none other than out of the respect for his (or her) position and to give them a 'heads-up' on your choice. I see nothing in the BSA uniform guidlines which would prevent the wearing of the kilt by all members of your crew, however as a longtime scouter myself I would definately advise letting your higher-ups know about it first before you all show up at a Council event in your kilts.

Hope all works well for you.

**Dirk Skene** · 26th February 08, 07:18 AM

Hello

and

from Memphis, Tennessee. Home of the blues & Elvis.

You are right to tell them not to rule out tweeds & the like. They can wear anything they like at anytime.

**BEEDEE** · 26th February 08, 07:24 AM

from coastal North Carolina. Here's a link to a discussion on Boy Scout tartans.

http://www.scouter.com/archives/Scou...99609/0605.asp

Brian

**McClef** · 26th February 08, 07:38 AM

from South Wales UK!

Alas I am no Scouter (and never was one though I was a Wolf Cub).

**way2fractious** · 26th February 08, 11:54 AM

Thanks, BEEDEE, for that link (I used to have it.)

Back to the discussion, here is an earlier thread regarding Scouting and tartans:

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/b...light=scouting

Please remember that British Scouting and the Boys Scouts of America are two separate corporate entities. Even though they both subscribe to the principles of World Scouting, each has its own rules and regulations on uniforming. BSA's Venturing has tried to build some leeway (or, democratic self-rule) into a crew choosing to express their unit's identity through their own uniform. Just take the suggestions, above, to heart regarding prior communication, youth protection, and respect for the uniform chosen.

Personally, I have worn a MacLaren tartan kilt to many, many scouting functions - as a scoutmaster, as a unit committee member, as a district commissioner, as a Wood Badge staffer - to myriad meetings, to Wood Badge presentations, to summer camps, on camping and backpacking trips, to training sessions, everywhere...

Have fun, be safe, be proud...

w2f

**SteveB** · 26th February 08, 08:06 PM

Hello

and

from Boston, Massachusetts
Way back when the earth was flat, I served for a very short time as a Scoutmaster for a small urban troop. I felt enchanted when the whole group actually had the BSA official shirt on for a meeting. I wore the official uniform, complete from top to bottom for everything, as did the assistant, and the youth leaders. It took a whole year for the idea to fully catch on among all the boys. Kilts.... now that would have been nice.
--- Steve

**Andrew Breecher** · 26th February 08, 08:21 PM

Originally Posted by TatterDel

2) If the laddies wear kilts... what do the lassies wear on the hiking trail?

Most of the women - and I mean 9 out of 10 - who I've met long-distance backpacking have either started their long hikes in a skirt, or switched to one sometime during the hike. Just Google "women's hiking skirt" and you'll find all sorts of options. Women wear skirts. Men wear kilts!

Andrew.

**TatterDel** · 26th February 08, 08:28 PM

Originally Posted by Andrew Breecher

Most of the women - and I mean 9 out of 10 - who I've met long-distance backpacking have either started their long hikes in a skirt, or switched to one sometime during the hike. Just Google "women's hiking skirt" and you'll find all sorts of options. Women wear skirts. Men wear kilts!

Andrew.

Thank you Andrew, that is very helpful! There are a lot of hits with that search.