The Boy Scouts of America is a uniformed organization. Our policy is that volunteers and unit members are expected to be in as complete a uniform as financially possible during unit meetings and activities. The Scout uniform is the ONLY PLACE where official insignia that you or your son has received, earned or are entitled to wear is to be displayed. The uniform instills a bit of pride and ownership in the program and the members of our Troop. During scouting activities, it is easy to recognize who is "in our Troop" or other Troops or even scouting members at a distance -- this also prevents those who desire to do harm to children to stay at a distance if not away period. Finally, the wearing of the uniform reminds Scouts and Scouters of their obligations to uphold the scouting ideals and that of service.

We side with the BSA in areas of identification, sense of pride and health and safety in asking that you go with this policy, and we will work with you to insure that your son or you are in as complete a uniform as possible. If you have concerns about our uniform policy, we encourage you to talk with us. We are proud of who we are and proud of our Troop's heritage and identity in the community. The Scout uniform is an outward sign of identification with the scouting program and should be worn with pride. The uniform makes our troop visible as a force for good and creates a positive youth image in our community. It gives the Scout an opportunity to practice being neat, take pride in his appearance, display his awards and badges, and feel a part of a group.

The Class A uniform consists of the following items:

•  BSA short or long-sleeved khaki Scout shirt with appropriate patches and insignia properly sewn
• Scout shorts and/or Scout long pants
• Scout socks
• BSA green web belt with Scout buckle or scout leather belt (unless pants are self-belted)
• Neckerchief and slide
• Scout hat

Scouts should be prepared for a uniform inspection at any time. While Scouts are in Class A uniform, they may not wear any hats except Scouting hats. This includes troop hats, camp hats, OA hats or official BSA hats. Only the official BSA hat should be worn at Courts of Honor.

Class A uniform is required for admittance to a Troop meeting, unless otherwise advised. If a Scout comes to a Troop meeting when not in uniform, he may be asked to go home to change or may not be able to fully participate. A Scout may not be credit with participation at Troop activities if he is not appropriately dressed. It is expected of your son to be in his uniform for scouting just as well that he needs to be in his uniform for other actives such as baseball or karate, etc.

Insignia Placement

Correct placement of uniform insignia is shown on the inside cover of the Boy Scout Handbook and in the BSA Insignia Guide. Patches must be placed on the uniform in the correct location and attached in a neat manor.

Merit badges are worn on the merit badge sash. Merit badges are not worn on the Scout shirt. Merit badges may be worn in three columns on the sash; there is no required order. The sash is worn over the right shoulder and only on formal occasions such as Boards of Review, Courts of Honor, special flag ceremonies etc.

Wearing The Uniform

The Class A uniform is required to be worn:

• To all Courts of Honor
• At all troop meetings and functions, unless otherwise advised, as above. (merit badge sash is not required at our general meetings)
• To all Boards of Review
• To District, Council and National Scouting event
• Scoutmaster Conferences (unless the activity uniform is appropriate based upon the location of the conference)
• To other events as specified by the Scoutmaster

For more formal occasions (Courts of Honor, Webelos crossovers, religious worship services and public appearances) the Scout may add his merit badge sash and religious medals.

For members of the Order of the Arrow (OA), the OA sash is to be worn at OA functions and other functions that render service to OA such as elections; camp promotion and OA tap outs. The OA sash is not worn with the merit badge sash at a Court of Honor, nor is it to be worn folded over the Scout belt.

Wearing of military clothing, camouflage and the imitation of United States Military uniforms at any Scouting activity is a violation of National BSA policy (BSA Rules and Regulations, Article 10, Section 4, Clause 4b) and will not be permitted.

A Scout is expected to wear his uniform with his shirt buttoned and tucked in.

The following additional rules apply to clothing worn at camp outs or other events when a Class A uniform is not required:

• Clothing items including headgear that display or advertise drugs, illegal controlled substances, alcohol, tobacco, suggestive wording, profanity, gangs or advocate violence are never permitted.
• Grooming or attire, which disrupt Scouting activities, are not appropriate and therefore are prohibited.

"Class B" uniform is the Troop 34 or other BSA T-shirt.