UNIFORMS
The Scouting Uniform is a quintessential part of the Scouting experience.
We in Troop 166/066 take pride in holding to a high standard for our uniforms.
At Scout gatherings, Camporee and Camp Parsons especially, we are known for our attention to uniforms.
A standard, “class A” uniform is required at many Scout functions, including all Troop meetings, Camporee, summer camp, and a few others. A Class A uniform consists of BSA socks, shorts or pants, a belt, a shirt, proper insignia, a neckerchief, and a neckerchief slide. These can be purchased at the Scout Shop on Rainier Avenue South or at the Scout Shop in south Everett. The Troop provides the neckerchief. Merit Badge sashes are optional attire at Courts of Honor.
By Troop tradition, the shirt-collar is turned under so you only see the neckerchief.
(A few of us have removed the fold-over part of the collar from the shirt, leaving a tape-collar.)
We do keep a resource of ‘outgrown’ uniforms as well as other equipment – limited finances should never limit a Scouts’ participation!
066 Red Berets: Each Troop can adopt its own preferences for uniform standards, and any piece of uniform that has ever been official remains official. The Red Beret was introduced in the Early 1980’s and discontinued about ten years later; but it remains acceptable uniform headgear. Troop 066 (the 166 girls) have adopted the Red Beret as an additional standard for their uniform. But it is not exclusive, any scout who wishes may wear the red beret.
EQUIPMENT
Backpacks, boots, and other miscellaneous camping gear cost money. Depending on a family’s budget, you can spend a little or a lot on clothing and gear. Patrols who receive the most points in a quarter are given $50 to spend on Patrol gear- cooking pots, stoves, … . You don’t need to buy one of everything. Some Patrol members will have tents, others tarps, others cooking pots or stoves. Patrols are good at figuring this out together and it gives Scouts the opportunity to learn to plan and coordinate with a group. Your Scout will need outdoor clothing. Rain gear, boots, jacket, polypropylene long underwear,… . A warm synthetic sleeping bag (+15 Degrees F.) is better for the Scouts than down in this climate.
Your Scout will need an overnight frame style backpack and a day pack too.
There are many sources for used or inexpensive gear in the Seattle area and on-line. Most families acquire the basics for a few hundred dollars and then add to it over the years. If you buy good equipment, it will last a long time. Some of our “older” scouts – in their 50’s and 60’s and 70’s are still using gear they acquired when they were in their teens. Speak with Troop members regarding equipment deals they have found.
For Scouts who do not yet have their own gear, the Troop does typically have items available to borrow and very often within the Troop gear is freely given as it’s outgrown. It can be great to get a chance to borrow and try something out to figure out what works best for them.
