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Scouting Activity Clothing Guidelines

Our troop’s clothing policy makes sure we all feel welcome, safe, and respected. We understand uniforms are an important part of Scouting. We also understand that uniforms are not mandatory, and a Scout cannot be prevented from participation or advancement due to lack of uniform. When we choose clothes for any Scouting activity, we follow these rules:

Safety First: We choose clothing and footwear that’s safe for the activity. We wear clothes that will protect us from the weather, won’t get in the way of any equipment, and we follow all Scouting America safety guidelines.

Respectful Choices: We avoid clothing with words, images, or symbols that could be seen as offensive, including anything political, violent, sexual, or promoting disrespect toward any group.

Religious, Cultural, and Medical Needs: We may wear alternative headgear or clothing for religious, cultural, or medical reasons if it’s safe for the activity and doesn’t block our vision.

Aquatics Activities: Our swimwear must be designed for swimming, not pose a risk of suffocation or drowning, and be secure enough to not fall off or shift during activity. For extra sun protection, we may wear a rash guard or T-shirt. We understand every troop sets their own policy. We also understand some camps or events may have extra safety clothing guidelines. They’ll make sure to communicate these extra safety guidelines ahead of time and we will follow them.

The Scouting America National Aquatics Committee Statement - We recommend that swimwear should be comfortable, functional, and appropriate for the specific aquatic activity. As always, we remind everyone that Scouting’s Barriers to Abuse state, “Appropriate attire is required for all activities”. Policies should reflect Scouting America’s statement and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. For more details on Scouting America Aquatics Swim Wear Guidelines click here.

If there’s ever a question about a member of our troop’s clothing, we understand we should ask our own Scoutmaster for help interpreting our troop’s policy. Only if there’s a serious safety concern (like a risk of injury) should an adult from outside of our troop question a Scout from our troop about their clothing.

Finally, we will recognize that every troop is different and we will remember to be friendly, courteous, and kind with others at all times.

Everyone in Scouts BSA should feel part of the troop, respected, and safe during Scouting activities. By following these guidelines, we can help create a positive environment where everyone can enjoy Scouting.

TYPES OF UNIFORMS:

Field Uniform-This is the official Scouting America uniform, and it's encouraged for activities, meetings, and events. It helps show our pride in being a Scout and part of Scouting America.

Activity Uniform - This is a more relaxed option for activities where a full uniform isn’t necessary or ideal. Usually, it includes a Scouting America or troop t-shirt that represents Scouting and keeps everyone feeling like part of the group.

Uniforms are an important part of Scouting but they are not mandatory for participation. A Scout cannot be prevented from participation or advancement due to lack of uniform.

GENERAL CLOTHING GUIDELINES - When choosing clothes for any Scouting activity, please follow these guidelines:

Safety First: Choose clothing and footwear that’s safe for the activity. For example, we wear clothes that will protect us from the weather, won’t get in the way of any equipment, and follow Scouting America safety guidelines for the activities we are participating in.
Respectful Choices: Avoid clothing with words, images, or symbols that could be seen as offensive, including anything political, violent, sexual, or promoting disrespect toward any group.
Religious, Cultural, and Medical Needs: We may wear alternative headgear or clothing for religious, cultural, or medical reasons, if it’s safe to do so and doesn’t block vision.

SPECIAL GUIDELINES FOR AQUATIC ACTIVITIES - Swimwear should be secure, clean, and designed specifically for swimming. For extra sun protection, we may wear a rash guard or T-shirt as long as it’s safe for the activity.

MAKING OUR TROOP’S CLOTHING POLICY - Every troop, with the guidance of their chartering organization, is responsible for creating their own troop’s clothing policy that best meets the needs of their families, Scouts, and chartering organization. Each troop’s policy should be fair, safe, and respectful for everyone in the troop. When developing our Troop’s policy we should ask ourselves:

Does this policy help keep everyone safe?
Does this policy work equally for people of all genders, backgrounds, beliefs, and cultures in our Troop?
Does this policy allow for personal needs and preferences in our Troop, such as cultural, medical, and religious clothing choices?

FIELD UNIFORM: The field uniform is the official BSA uniform. In our Troop our full uniform consists of -
- Field Uniform - Troop 0555B Uniform Requirements
- Shirt, official long, or short-sleeve uniform shirt with green epaulets, and neckerchief or bolo tie.
- Pants, official uniform pants or shorts.
- Belt, official Scout BSA web belt with Scouting America insignia on buckle; or official leather belt with buckle of your choice (Scout Appropriate).
- Socks, official socks (Green).
- Shoes, leather or canvas (No Open Toed Shoes).

We wear our field uniform when we -

Field Uniform - This is the official Scouting America uniform,
- Troop 0555B wears it during
  - Troop Meetings during the school calendar year.
  - When meeting with the Troop Committee (Rank Advancements and Eagle Project Guidance).
  - On Day Trips, and while traveling to Camping Events.

ACTIVITY UNIFORM - We understand uniforms are an important part of Scouting. We also understand that uniforms are not mandatory, and a Scout cannot be prevented from participation or advancement due to lack of uniform. When we choose clothes for any Scouting activity, we follow these rules:

The activity uniform represents Scouting and keeps everyone feeling like part of the group, even when we’re not in field uniform.

- Activity Uniform - Troop 0555B Uniform Requirements -
  - Shirt, Scout related tee shirt.
  - Pants, official uniform pants or shorts.
  - Belt, official Scout BSA web belt with Scouting America insignia on buckle; or official leather belt with buckle of your choice (Scout Appropriate).
  - Socks, official socks (Green).
  - Shoes, leather or canvas (No Open Toed Shoes).

We wear our field uniform when we:

Activity Uniform - Troop 0555B wears it during Troop Meetings during the school summer break.
When participating in service projects (Eagle Scout Projects, Cleaning up around the Scout House).
While on Camping Events.

Troop 555-Clothing-Policy.pdf

WHAT HAPPENS IF THERE ARE QUESTIONS ABOUT CLOTHING?

Each troop is responsible for enforcing its own clothing policy. Unless a youth is in immediate danger from their clothing, an adult from outside of the troop should never question a youth directly about their clothing.
If there’s ever a question about someone’s clothing, we follow this process:
- Talk to the Scoutmaster First: If there’s a concern with someone’s clothing, we ask an adult troop leader, such as a Scoutmaster, from that person’s troop about the concern. Only if there’s a serious safety concern (like an immediate risk of injury) should an adult from outside the unit question a Scout directly about their clothing.
- Multi-Troop Events: If we’re at a large event, like a camporee or summer camp, event leaders might have additional safety clothing guidelines. For example, they may require jeans for horseback riding. These extra safety guidelines supersede the troop’s individual clothing policy. Event leaders will make sure to communicate these additional requirements ahead of time, but non-safety questions about clothing should still go back to troop’s adult leadership.
- Final Help from Council Leadership: If there are unresolved questions or disagreements between adults over a troop’s clothing policy, Council leadership should be consulted to help resolve the safety concern.

We recognize that every troop is different, made up of families from all different faiths, cultures, and life experiences, and that troops are charted by a wide variety of secular and religious organizations. However, we all share the common values of the Scout Oath and Law. Understandably, troop clothing policies may look different for each troop. Let’s ensure when questions arise, our interactions with one another are always friendly, courteous, and kind.

Guide to Awards and Insignia - July 2024 Update

Guide to Advancement 2025

SCOUTING AMERICA GUIDE TO ADVANCEMENT 2025 | Pages 54 & 55

8.0.0.0 Section 8.

8.0.0.4 Wearing the Uniform—or Neat in Appearance : It is preferred a Scout be in full field uniform for any board of review. As much of the uniform as the Scout owns should be worn, and it should be as correct as possible, with the badges worn properly. It may be the uniform as typically worn by the Scout’s troop, crew, or ship. If wearing all or part of the uniform is impractical for whatever reason, the candidate should be clean and neat in appearance and dressed appropriately, according to the Scout’s means, for the milestone marked by the occasion. Regardless of unit, district, or council expectations or rules, boards of review must not reject candidates solely for reasons related to uniforming or attire, as long as they are clean and neat in appearance. Candidates must not be required to purchase uniforming or clothing to participate in a board of review.

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