Uniform Method

Scouting America has always been
a uniformed body.

Uniforms help to create  a sense of belonging. They symbolize character development, leadership, citizenship training, and personal fitness. Wearing a uniform gives youth and adult members a sense of identification and commitment.

Personal equality. The uniform represents a democratic idea of equality, bringing people of different racial, economic, religious, national, ethnic, political, and geographic backgrounds together in the Scouting tradition.

Identification. The uniform identifies youth and adult members of Scouting America, visible as a force for good in the community. When properly and smartly worn, the uniform  can build good unit spirit. When worn on the correct occasions, it can attract new members.

Achievement. The uniform shows the wearer’s activity, responsibility, and achievement. What each youth or adult member has accomplished with program opportunities can be recognized  by the insignia worn on the uniform.

Personal commitment. The uniform is a constant reminder to all Cub Scouts, Scouts, Venturers, Sea Scouts, and adults of their commitment to the ideals and purpose of Scouting America. The uniform is a way  of making visible members’ commitment to a belief in good, loyalty to country, and helping others at all times.

The leaders of Scouting—both volunteer and professional—promote the wearing of the correct complete uniform on all suitable occasions.

Uniform Types

Scouting America has two types of uniforms:

Field Uniform

This uniform is sometimes informally referred to as the Class-A uniform. This is (for all but Lion Scouts) the button down shirt and appropriate pants.

For cub scouts at the Tiger to Webelos rank, this is the blue button down shirt with the rank appropriate neckerchief. A neckerchief slide is not required. Rank-specific hats are also not required, but they do complete the outfit nicely.

Lion scouts wear the Lion T-shirt instead of the blue button down shirt like the older kids. Lion scouts can still wear the Lion neckerchief with the T-shirt.

For pants, cub scouts at the Lion through Webelos rank should wear blue pants or shorts, ideally with belt loops so they can wear their scout belt which displays all of the adventures they have completed. Jeans are fine.

Once a scout advances to the Arrow of Light den (rising 5th graders) they can transition to the khaki scout button down shirt. They then need to wear olive/forest green pants or shorts.

Activity Uniform

This uniform is sometimes called the Class-B uniform and it is any scout T-shirt (usually the Pack T-shirt) along with the appropriate pants or shorts as described above. Scouts can also choose to wear a pair of sports pants or shorts.

Scouting America Uniform Guide

The official uniform guide for cub scouts can be found at scouting.org.