I see scouts in the inner city dressed in Class A's and it looks great, they act like scouts.
I agree. In fact, I think that's one reason why some kids don't like to wear the uniform; they feel their behavior is constrained in them.
Seems kids and their parents have no money for unifoms for scouting but have money for Tommy Hilfiger, Fila, Dokkers, Old Navy, etc.
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For some kids, I couldn't agree more. I have quite a broad range of incomes in my unit. For some people, the cost of a complete class A uniform is significant. But for others, the situation is as you describe.
Incidentally by just wearing a shirt is not a uniform, when all the boys are "uniform" then they are in uniform, and when they are all wearing their scout uniforms then and only then are they in "Scout Uniform" a shirt is just a shirt until it is matched with pants, belt, socks, then it's a "Scout" uniform.
Even with just the shirt, a much more uniform appearance among the Scouts is promoted than if nothing at all. Understand that I too ask the Scouts to wear the complete class A to all meetings, etc. I ask all the parents every time I see them. I wear it all the time myself, and after a meeting, if I need to go to the store, I don't run home and change first.
In fact, a couple times in the local grocery store, in civvies, I have had the experience of saying hello to a Scout parent, getting no response in return, and then a couple of seconds later a look of recognition, along with "Oh! I didn't recognize you at first without your uniform on."
I find the better troops wear their class "A" uniforms to meetings and other formal or indoor activities.
I'm doing the best I can.