"Scouting is the process of making real men out of real boys by a real program that works." Harrald S. Alvord, First Scout Executive for Teton Peaks Council

(submitted by Jess)

A Scouter from Minnesota shared the following with one of our local Scouters.

You need to talk to the parents about why the uniform is important.  It's not just some weird shirt and pants we wear with a "neck thingy".  It's a symbol that we believe in the values of Scouting.  It is our outward commitment to the inner promise we make when we put it on.  By devaluing the uniform, they indirectly devalue the program.  If they believe in Scouting and what it can do for their son (and deep down, most parents do), then the symbols are an important part of the program.
I just saw an article on MSNBC.com, based on a Today show segment that ran this week.  A parenting expert was talking about manners (one of the things parents look to us to help with).  One of the things she addressed was appropriate dress:
"Respectful dressing - Dressing appropriately and respectfully for the place you are going is a valuable skill.  When you show up sloppy, dirty or too casual you are saying, "I don't care about this event or these people".  This has nothing to do with expensive clothes, but rather looking neat and appropriate."
If we want our kids to be willing to dress up for church, family events, job interviews, etc., we need to teach them that dressing a certain way shows pride in themselves and respect for the other people they encounter.  Isn't using the uniform properly a good model for that life skill?  And aren't life skills what we're here to help parents teach their sons?
Hope this helps.
Jamie Dunn
Pack Trainer
(submitted by Jess)