The Cub Scout Uniform

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​With so many new members joining our Pack this month, we’re running a special New Member Boot Camp to help our new scouts and their families learn more about Cub Scouting and our pack. Today, we’re talking about Cub Scout uniforms, what to buy, where to buy them, and where all the patches go.

Types of Cub Scout Uniforms

Uniforms are one of the methods of delivering the Scouting program. In addition to creating a sense of belonging, the uniform gives a Scout the ability to display their personal achievements.
There are two types of Cub Scout Uniforms:
  • Class A uniforms (also called the Field Uniform)
  • Class B uniforms (also called the Activity Uniform)
The Pack has created rank/grade-specific shopping lists to guide you in your uniform purchases.  You can view these lists by visiting the Rank pages below.

Class A Uniforms

Class A uniforms are the button down shirts with all the patches that you typically associate with Scouting. It consists of the blue or khaki (for Scouts in fifth grade) button-down shirt, a neckerchief, neckerchief slide, and patches identifying our Council, Pack and the ranks / awards your Scout has earned. The Class A uniform also includes optional pieces like a hat, belt, and pants. 
The Class A uniform is the same for all Cub Scouts and is defined by the BSA’s Guide to Awards and Insignia (Cub Scout-specific Guide).

Class B Uniform

The Class B uniform is the Pack’s t-shirt/sweatshirt, activity appropriate pants or shorts, and an optional scouting cap.

What and Where to Buy

The Pack has created grade-specific shopping lists to guide you in your uniform purchases. These lists include optional items and estimated prices from ScoutShop.org.
Scouts typically need to purchase a Class A uniform when joining, in First Grade, and as a Webelos or Arrow of Light candidate. All of these items can be purchased in-person or online at a Scout Shop. There are three locations in the area:
Class B uniforms are unique to our Pack and each new scout is given one at the start of their scouting journey, please see our cubmaster for your scout's shirt. If your scout has outgrown their class b uniform then you can purchase a new shirt for $10. 

Where do the patches go?

​Scouting LOVES patches but sometimes it is difficult to know where everything goes on the Class A uniform. Let’s talk about where each of the common patches goes. You can also refer to the BSA’s Guide to Awards and Insignia for more information.
Left Sleeve
There are two things that go on the left sleeve of the uniform: The Council Patch and the Unit Number.
  • The Council Patch starts at the top of the sleeve.
  • The Unit Number (467) is then sewn about a half inch below the Council patch.
Right Sleeve
Moving over to the right sleeve, you will find two more patches:  The US Flag and your Scout’s Den Number.
  • The US Flag will already be sewn on the sleeve in the proper location.
  • Your Scout’s Den Number patch should then be sewn immediately below and touching (or as close as possible to) the US Flag. 
For our Scouts in Fourth and Fifth Grade, you will also purchase “Webelos Colors” a pin with red, yellow, and green tabs connected.  Your Scout can pin their adventure pins on the tabs to show what they have accomplished.  The Webelos Colors are pinned below and touching the Den Number patch.
Left Pocket
A lot of things go on the left side of the Class A shirt, but you won’t have most of these until your Scout has completed a rank:
  • The purple World Crest patch is sewn a few inches above the left pocket. (Most uniform shirts you buy will have this pre-sewn on.) This patch shows our solidarity with Scouting programs across the world.
  • If your Scout earns a special award (like a religious emblem), they may receive a square knot patch that is sewn directly above the right pocket.
  • Your Scout’s rank patches will eventually go on or below the left pocket.
    • The Bobcat patch is sewn in the twelve o’clock position
    • The Bear patch is in the three o’clock position
    • The Tiger patch is in the six o’clock position
    • The Wolf patch is in the nine o’clock position
    • and The Lion Rank is sewn below the pocket
Scouts who have earned their Webelos rank are encouraged to switch from the blue Class A shirt to the khaki Class A shirt. When this happens, the Oval Webelos patch is sewn in the center of the shirt. None of the other ranks are transferred to the khaki shirt.
Right Pocket
At this point, you won’t have anything to sew on to the right pocket. Your Scout may earn the Cub Scout Outdoor Activity Award which is sewn on the pocket flap, or a Recruiter Strip (sewn below the pocket). Your Scout may also receive temporary patches for special Council or National events that can be hung from the right pocket button.

What about the neckerchief?

Scouts were a neckerchief to help identify what rank they are working towards. That means the type of neckerchief you buy depends on your Scout’s Grade:
Kindergarteners buy a yellow Lion Neckerchief,
  • First Graders buy an orange Tiger Neckerchief,
  • Second Graders buy a red Wolf Neckerchief,
  • Third Graders buy a blue Bear Neckerchief, and
  • Fourth and Fifth Graders buy the tartan Webelos Neckerchief.
Each rank also has a rank-specific neckerchief slide. The good news is that our Pack has a tradition of handing down our Neckerchiefs from our older to our younger Scout.
​To properly wear the neckerchief, lay the triangle of material out flat with the “wrong” side facing up. Fold the long edge over approximately 1 ½” and continue to fold in flat folds until about 6 inches of the triangle remains, showing the Cub Scout rank emblem. Then, pickup the neckerchief and put it around your Scout’s neck so the “right” side if facing away from them. Tuck the neckerchief under the collar of your Scout’s shirt and slide their neckerchief slide up to their neck like your tightening the knot on a tie. Be sure the slide is right ways up!

The Scout Belt

​The Scout belt is an optional, but encouraged, piece of the uniform. Scouts will earn belt loops or pins (for our Webelos Scouts) to show they have met the requirements to complete their Adventures. As I mentioned earlier, Webelos wear their pins on the Webelos Colors. All our other Scouts wear their belt loops on the Scout belt.

Optional Uniform Pieces

​Scouts can also purchase uniform pants, shorts, and hats, but these are optional.

Wearing the Uniform

Uniforms should be worn to every Den and Pack meeting or event. Our Leaders will let you know what uniform to wear to each meeting, but when its unclear what to wear assume you should wear your Class A uniform.
Remember, when our Scouts wear their uniforms, they are representing Scouts across the world. We encourage our Scouts to look as presentable as possible and having their shirts tucked in.