Posted on 04/01/2013 10:30:23 AM PDT by trussell
My 13 year old son just joined boy scouts. He would like to go to the camping trip next weekend and only has one outfit that is loaned to him.
He needs shorts (at least 3 pair needed), shirts (they would like him to have 3 or 4 more), pants (same as shirts, 3 or 4 more, boy scout approved socks (several pair).
He wears an 18 husky pant or 36/29 through 36/32. Shirts are XL youth to Medium adult. The troop will allow either the green BOA socks or black socks.
Also, any camping items that he will need. He has the toiletries. a sleeping pad and a canteen...but no sleeping bag or any of the other items on the camping list.
I'm not rich by any means, I've recently had back surgery and am unemployed. If you have it, and it's taking up space you want to clear out, please...consider helping my son.
The first place to look is the troop.
Our troop maintains a supply of loaner packs and other gear.
If the troop maintains an e mail list an outgrown uniform might be available from within the troop as well. They might even have a uniform closet containing out grown uniforms.
Personally I find the list quantities extremely excessive. The quantities would seem to be to outfit a scout headed to the National Jamboree or one of the National Reservations like Philmont and not for a just joining new scout.
For starters I would recommend one Class A shirt, trousers and or shorts and socks. Additionally one class B T shirt to wear with the pants or shorts. The new uniforms include trousers that have detachable sections below the knee that turn into shorts.
Joining BSA at 13 is un common. most boys join at 11. If he is enthused at 13 that is truly great. He has the maturity to see the bigger picture. One of my very best experiences was with a scout that joined at 13, became very interested, achieved his Eagle and turned out great. Today he is with his family in Singapore as Far East purchasing manager for a fortune 500 company. His two boys are in out troop but temporarily on leave.
I would caution to not be overwhelmened with the list you gave of uniform parts. Start with one basic uniform and go from there.
I am a 50 year BSA veteran and speak from very long experience.
Just to clarify - I was a member of the 45th in the 1980s after active duty in order to complete my required service after being in ROTC in college. My stepfather was part of the Korean War call-up of the 45th.
Thank you for the advice...the troop mom who gave me the list said I was to have available one outfit per day of the outing. She is VERY outspoken about how good her son is and how much she puts into his scouting experience and how shameful it is that I don’t have a job to put money into my son’s account.
He has the one class a/b uniform with the exception of the bolo and BOA socks. Thankfully, the socks are on the way to him and should be received by Thursday. The troop closet is where he got the one uniform on loan to him.
One of the ladies of the troop said they would put out a plea for donations of outgrown uniform parts in the next newsletters...though I’m not sure if that will go to scouts who are no longer with the troop or not.
I can only pray that my son ends up as successful as the one you mention...he’s off to a good start, he exceeds his grade level on the national tests in every subject, though science and math are his top 2 subjects.
Thank you for your imput! I believe now, the other mom is overstating the needs for a weekend camping trip. He still needs a few things (some of the camping supplies), but if they will let him get by without them...I’ll just pray that they do, and he can have the campout experience.
You joined...you served in my opinion. Also, the family at home is serving too when their loved one is deployed. God bless you all, and thank you so much!
On my honor I will do my best to do my duty to God and my Country and to obey the Scout Law; To help other people at all times; to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight.
We worked on that one just last week...I have it memorized as does he!
Now you're beginning to home in on the source of the issue, IMO. As another poster opined, successful troop operations depend on active parents and committee members but some can take on more "authority" that they really should. You've gotten some good advice and the great FR generosity in this thread. Please don't trouble yourself over those that want to be negative.
Thank you, as always, for being such a wonderful “FR”iend. It’s times like this that I feel so grateful for having been led to this site so many years ago. When friends are willing to come together and give advice to help another freeper through a tough time. I’m also grateful for those who have decided to help in whatever way they are able...there is one who has gone to my wishlist on scouts stuff . org and ordered what she was able to for him. There is another who is sending some shorts and another who may (if able) send a sleeping bag and one other who chose to help in the only way they could...with a financial donation, so I could get things he needed locally. (that is going to help very much in getting a few of the “class B, t-shirts” he needs! Then there are those who gave advice and moral support. Thank you all.
Perhaps some day down the road, we'll be hearing about a proud momma telling us about her Boy Scout going to Philmont. :)
Thank you...I will have to learn to not take things so personally. Some people just can’t ignore a topic they have nothing useful to contribute to...they have to find a way to contribute their negativity.
Those who know me on FR, know that I am reverent...and often seek the prayers of others to help me through a rough time. I often ask for prayers that I be granted recovery from the physical issues and that I be blessed with God’s guidance in finding work. Right now, my surgeon isn’t releasing me to go to work as I am having so many issues after the surgery in November. If freepers are not able to help with the uniform needs and camping needs I have posted about, I always welcome prayers!
...and thank you for pointing out something that should have been so clear to begin with...I am most likely getting bad information from someone who has taken on so much more authority than they should.
I pray he is able to make that trip before his scouting days are over. He is such a good boy, and works so hard helping me and keeping his grades up. I will be sure to let my freeper family know *when* this happens!!!
“I was told by the scout leader yesterday that he would need to have 3 pair of shorts, 3 to 5 scout t-shirts, 3 formal B.S. shirts, and 3 to 5 pair of B.S. approved socks”
This is not remotely reasonable. My son started as a Tiger cub and is now an Eagle. He never possessed more than one complete uniform ever at one time and rarely did every piece fit properly. Full unifroms were used sparingly on camping trips. You need to get involved to help get this troop’s priorities in order or find another troop. Our troop would never ever deny a scout an opportunity to participate due to limitations in family finances.
My oldest son is an Eagle - and my youngest just last week got his arrow of light at 10 and is a BOY SCOUT. He was so excited. My husband has been a pack leader on and off for 15 years. We don’t require the boys to have any sort of uniform. Some have very elaborte, perfect uniforms, and others have jeans and a shirt. They particiapte in all the camps, and have never had an issue about dress codes.
Boy Scouting is hardly about regulation socks. I have never heard of a pack that is that strick about clothing.
My oldest son is also 10 and about to get his Arrow of Light and cross over to Boy Scouts (love those late birthdays—he’s starting middle school before he turns 11).
My son does have the whole getup, but it’s only because he takes it so seriously and wanted the stuff. He sometimes just wears his pack t-shirt to meetings instead of his uniform. He wore a plain old everyday shirt and jeans to his den meeting last week.
It is impossible to have that many full uniforms for a Scout because the items are so expensive. One full uniform should be all that is required.
I’m finding out the lady that told me all this might not be a troup leader but just a scout mom who likes to be authoratative. She likes to make demands and talks like her son is THE BEST SCOUT in the history of scouting. “He got his “tenderfoot” at the first meeting he attended”, while another mom tells me “that’s not true”. They do want the boys dressed in approved shorts and troop t-shirts while at camp, night time activities are to include the Class A shirt over the t-shirt, and BOA approved socks are expected to be worn with the shorts.
I’m going to have to find out who to contact as they only gave me a list of THIS troops contacts...if I want to go higher up the chain, I’ll have to figure out where to find the number without having to ask and by doing that making it known who had something to say. I want all the boys to enjoy outings, and I’m afraid many may not be allowed due to one person feeling ‘powerful’ in making rules.
Can you see this one?
yes, that looks like a great bag. Very light weight, that would help keep him from hurting by having such a heavy bag onboard!
Exactly. And we don’t say a peep to any boy who doesn’t even have a full uniform.
Uniforms is not what boy scoting is about. It is awesome if they can get the uniform and show pride in their clothing, for sure.
But showing pride in their learned skills, education, and their behavior towards others ,is what we are aiming for.
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