Hey there, Scouts!
We’ve got a lot planned for this Sunday’s Pack Meeting! Can’t wait to see you there!
Don’t forget, we’ll be inspecting uniforms at the Pack Meeting. This goes for you, too, leaders! All Scouts and Scouters must be wearing the proper Field Uniform:
- Rank-appropriate hat, neckerchief and slide
- Shirts clean and tucked
- Proper badges, patches and pins correctly placed
- Official belt with all awarded loops threaded on the right side
- Colors and pins on for Webelos
- Solid tan or blue pants for Webelos, and solid blue pants for all other scouts (jeans ok)
- Socks of any solid color and close-toed shoes
If you are missing any of these pieces of the field uniform, please let us know asap so we can place the order. You can pick them up and pay for them at the meeting. Attached is a sample of the uniform inspection sheet, for your reading enjoyment. Additional information on uniforms can be found at http://www.homewoodscouting.org/policies. All this stuff is absolutely required, folks! Scouts will be GRADED!!
Now, what about patches, you may ask?
Ah, yes! Patches. Glad you asked! This weekend is also Pack 3807‘s First Annual Patch-o-ree! -ree -ree (that’s an echo, in case you were wondering)
As you know, all field uniforms must have the proper patches on them. These include:
- Council patch (orange patch on left shoulder)
- Red pack numerals (3807) (below the council patch)
- Den # patch (below the American flag)
- Purple world crest patch with optional centennial ring (left chest).
And, don’t forget – Rank Badges!!! Those are the little diamond badges that go on the left pocket (plus the Lion badge, which goes below the diamonds).
In order to be in proper uniform, in addition to all that mess above, Scouts must have all patches properly placed and sewn or ironed on their shirt. The patches must also be placed with particular measurements. Ironed on patches fall off after laundering a few times.
So, what to do? Well, you could sew the patches on yourself. Fun stuff. Or, you could have them done at the Scout Shop – for $3 per patch! Highway robbery! Almost doubles the cost of Scouting, am I right??? But, never fear – there is a third option! This option is easier than do-it-yourself, cheaper than the Scout Shop, and 100% of the proceeds help to underwrite Pack 3807!
It’s the Patch-o-ree! -ree -ree Oh, shoot – sorry. I already said that.
Bring your patches and badges to this Sunday’s Pack meeting, and Pack Mom Mrs. H will sew on your patches for only $2 each! When you think about it, that’s a pretty darn good savings right there. But wait – there’s more! Pack numerals will be sewn for only $1 each, or $4 total. At $3 a pop, the numerals alone would be $12 at the Scout Shop! Come early, and come with an extra shirt to wear while your uniform is being sewed – you’ll definitely fail uniform inspection if you’re half naked.
In all seriousness, though, folks: Scouts are required to be in full Field Uniform at all meetings and events. It’s not optional, and is an important part of building a framework for the leaders our Scouts eventually become. Make sure you’ve ordered whatever uniform items are missing no later than Friday, January 24th, and make sure your Scout has all patches and badges either properly sewn on before the meeting or you must have them sewn on at the Patch-o-ree.
So, to summarize:
- Wear full Field Uniform this Sunday.
- Let us know whatever you’re missing so we can order it.
- Have all patches properly sewn on the shirt.
- Bring $2 per patch ($4 for pack number) to have patches properly sewn on.
- Raise money for the Pack!
Don’t have all the patches? Let us know right away and we’ll order those for you as well, pick them up and pay for them at the meeting.
Ah, reading long posts like this always make me feel like I’ve gone to the gym and had a good workout, don’t you agree?
See you this Sunday at the Patch-o-ree! -ree -ree
Yours in Scouting,
Cubmaster Matt