Uniforms

Cub Scouts in uniform
When you see someone in a uniform you know they belong to a specific group. A policeman wears a uniform and so does a doctor and a fireman.

As a Cub Scout you will wear a uniform too. If you are in Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd or 3rd grade you will wear a blue shirt, blue pants, and a neckerchief in the correct color: orange for Tiger, yellow for Wolf, and blue for Bear. In 4th and 5th grades, Webelos wear the tan shirt and olive green pants, the same as the Scouts BSA wear, with the plaid Webelos neckerchief.

There are other parts of the uniform: pants, belt and a cap. If you wear the blue shirt you wear blue pants and the cap for your den. If you wear the tan shirt you will wear olive green pants and the Webelos cap.

The uniform makes for brotherhood, since when universally adopted it covers up all differences of class and country.
Wearing uniforms has been a method of the Scouting movement from the beginning. Decades of experience show uniforming to have many benefits, including:

  • Equality. The uniform represents a democratic ideal of equality. Cub Scouts from various cultures and different economic levels wear the same uniform and cooperate as equals.
  • Identification. The uniform identifies a boy as a member of the Cub Scouts. Badges on the uniform tell other members that they belong to their den, pack, and council. The uniform itself identifies a good citizen to the entire community.
  • Achievement. The uniform displays badges and other awards so the accomplishments of each Cub Scout can be immediately recognized.
  • Commitment. Wearing a uniform is a constant reminder to each Cub Scout of their commitment to the ideals and purposes of Scouting: duty to God and country, duty to other people, and duty to self.

 

For these reasons, among others, all parents should emphasize to their Cub Scouts the importance of wearing the correct and complete uniform on all suitable occasions.

Wearing the Uniform

In general, every Cub Scout should wear their uniform (also referred to as a “Class A” uniform) to all Cub Scouting activities, including den and pack meetings, unit outings, and any activities done with members of the den or pack. When playing sports, going to camp, or participating in other physical activities, the pack or den may opt to have the Cub Scouts wear an alternate uniform, such as an activity shirt (also referred to as a “Class B” t-shirt). Den and pack leaders will provide advance notice of any occasion when anything other than the complete uniform should be worn.

Here are some tips for wearing the uniform:

  • DO keep the uniform clean and in good repair. The official uniform is a sturdy, machine-washable garment that will last for years with proper care.
  • DO be sure to wear the complete uniform. A Cub Scout wearing a uniform with parts missing is not in uniform.
  • DO securely fasten rank insignia patches and award patches to the uniform (sewing is preferred) as soon as possible after receiving them. (Rancho Army Navy in Temecula has a seamstress available that can sew the patches onto the uniform in the proper place for a modest fee. A local tailor can also sew patches onto the uniform, but may need to be instructed as to placement.)
  • DO NOT wear non-BSA badges, patches, awards, or insignia (such as fun patches from an activity) on the Cub Scout uniform or make any alterations to the uniform or insignia. These should be worn on a “brag vest,” sweatshirt, or some other non-uniform apparel.
  • DO NOT mix uniform parts with non-uniform clothing, such as wearing a uniform cap with other clothing. The uniform should be treated as a unit—worn in its entirety, or not at all.
  • DO NOT wear uniform parts inappropriately or disrespectfully, such as wearing the uniform cap backwards.

 

Any time you are uncertain about the uniform, ask a leader for guidance.

Tiger, Wolf, and Bear Scouts

Wolf, Bear, TigerThe Cub Scout uniform consists of the following parts:

  • Shirt—Official navy blue Cub Scout short sleeve uniform shirt. Shirts are always worn tucked in. Note: your Cub Scout will wear this shirt from 1st through 3rd grade, so purchase a larger size for younger children and they will have room to grow into the shirt.
  • Pants / shorts—Official navy blue Cub Scout pants / shorts. Also acceptable are navy blue pants / shorts (like school uniforms) or neat and clean blue jeans. Pants / shorts should be free of holes, stains, etc.
  • Belt—Official navy blue web belt with Cub Scout emblem buckle. Note: Tigers should purchase the Cub Scout emblem buckle.
  • Shoes and Socks—Any stable closed-toe shoe is appropriate. In some events, such as hiking, the Cub Scout may benefit from activity-specific shoes, but this is completely at the discretion of the parents. Clean socks should always be worn with the shoes. The official Cub Scout socks are optional.
  • Cap—Official Cub Scout cap with den colors and emblem for Tiger (orange), Wolf (yellow or red), or Bear (blue).
  • Neckerchief—Official Cub Scout neckerchief with den colors and emblem for Tiger (orange), Wolf (yellow or red), or Bear (blue). Official Cub Scout neckerchiefs are the only neckerchiefs Cub Scouts should wear.
  • Neckerchief slide—Official Cub Scout slide with the den emblem for Tiger, Wolf, or Bear. Cub Scouts may also wear handmade neckerchief slides.

Webelos Scouts

WebelosThe Webelos Scout uniform consists of the following parts:

  • Shirt—Official tan Boy Scout short sleeve uniform shirt. It is worn with blue shoulder loops (#677). Shirts are always worn tucked in. Note: your Cub Scout will wear this shirt for about 18 months as a Cub Scout, and possibly a year or two in Scouts BSA, so purchase a little bit larger size and they will have room to grow into the shirt.
  • Pants / shorts—Official Boy Scout olive green pants or shorts. Also acceptable are olive green cargo pants / shorts or olive green tactical pants / shorts (e.g. 5.11, Propper). Pants / shorts should be free of holes, stains, etc.
  • Belt—Official Boy Scout olive green web belt with the metal Boy Scout buckle.
  • Shoes and Socks—Any stable closed-toe shoe is appropriate. In some events, such as hiking, the Cub Scout may benefit from activity-specific shoes, but this is completely at the discretion of the parents. Clean socks should always be worn with the shoes. The official Boy Scout socks are optional.
  • Cap—Official plaid cap with Webelos emblem (#622289 or #622290).
  • Neckerchief—Official plaid neckerchief with the Webelos emblem (#64077). Official BSA neckerchiefs are the only neckerchiefs Cub Scouts should wear.
  • Neckerchief slide—Official gold-tone metal slide with the Webelos emblem (#891). Cub Scouts may also wear handmade neckerchief slides.

Adult Leaders

Adult leadersThe adult leader uniform consists of the following parts:

  • Shirt—Adult leaders (male and female) wear the tan Boy Scout uniform shirt. It is worn with blue shoulder loops (#677). Shirts are always worn tucked in.
  • Pants / shorts—Adult leaders (male and female) wear the official Boy Scout olive green pants or shorts. Also acceptable are olive green cargo pants / shorts or olive green tactical pants / shorts (e.g. 5.11, Propper). Pants / shorts should be free of holes, stains, etc.
  • Belt—Official Boy Scout olive green web belt with the metal Boy Scout buckle. Leather camp, high-adventure base, or Wood Badge belts with offcial BSA buckles also may be worn with the adult leader uniform.
  • Shoes and Socks—Any stable closed-toe shoe is appropriate. In some events, such as hiking, the adult leader may benefit from activity-specific shoes, but this is completely at his/her discretion. Clean socks should always be worn with the shoes. The official Boy Scout socks are optional.
  • Cap—Optional. Den level (den leaders) or BSA cap.
  • Neckerchief—Navy blue Cub Scout Leader (#64070), plaid Webelos Leader (#64078), or Wood Badge neckerchief (if earned). Official BSA neckerchiefs are the only neckerchiefs that should be worn.
  • Neckerchief slide—Official gold-tone metal slide with the den emblem (den leaders), Boy Scout slide (#601), or Wood Badge woggle (if earned). Adult leaders may also wear handmade neckerchief slides.

 

Note: Only registered adult leaders should wear the BSA uniform. All other adults should wear their pack activity shirts (also referred to as a “Class B” shirt) to all pack and den activities.

Required Uniform Patches

The following patches are required of all Cub Scouts and adult leaders. These should be purchased with the uniform shirt and worn on the uniform shirt at all times:

Right Sleeve
– American Flag (included on shirt)
– Den number (check with your den leader)

Left Sleeve
– California Inland Empire Council shoulder patch
– Unit numerals: 374, white numbers on red background (available as single patch at Rancho Army Navy)
– Leader position patch (adults only)

Shirt Front
– World Scout Crest emblem (purple with white stitching)

Rank insignia patches (e.g. Bobcat, Tiger, Wolf, Bear, Webelos, Arrow of Light) and award patches (e.g. religious square knot, Recruiter, Conservation award, etc.) will be presented by the pack to the Cub Scouts as earned, and should be properly placed on the uniform as soon as practical, preferably by sewing.

Information about proper patch placement can be found in your Cub Scout’s handbook, in the Cub Scout Insignia document, or on the Uniform Builder web site.

Pack T-Shirts

Pack t-shirtPack t-shirts, also called an activity shirt or referred to as “Class B” uniform, are available for purchase from the pack. All Cub Scouts should own a pack t-shirt to wear while playing sports, going to camp, or participating in other active, physical, or messy activities (den or pack leaders will provide advance notice of any occasion when they should wear a pack t-shirt). Family members are also encouraged to purchase pack t-shirts and wear them at pack and den events.

Purchasing Uniforms

Locally, uniforms may be purchased at Rancho Army Navy Store in Temecula. Rancho Army Navy often has a seamstress available that can sew the patches on the uniform shirt for a modest fee. Local tailors are also able to sew patches, but may need to be provided placement information (see your scout’s handbook for patch placement).

The California Inland Empire Council operates Scout Shops in Redlands and Montclair. Click here for information about these Scout Shops. Locations of all BSA Scout Shops and authorized retailers (including Orange and San Diego Counties) are available at https://www.scoutshop.org/storelocator

Online purchases can be made at ScoutShop.org, the official BSA online retail site.

Thrift stores (Salvation Army, Goodwill, etc.) often have uniforms donated to them and may be a way to save some money. Uniforms are also commonly sold on web sites such as eBay or Craigslist. “Experienced” uniform shirts purchased at a thrift store or online might only need a few new patches to fit in with the den and pack.

Last updated: March 2, 2020