Uniforms

Uniform FAQ

Each year we get several questions about the uniforms for kids and adult leaders.
This post should hopefully answer most of those questions.


First of all, know that there will NOT be any uniform inspections in our Cub pack (other Packs may vary).

The uniforms are a way to show identity, allow kids to display their advancement, and to enhance unity.

But we're not going to hold you or your kids to any particular standards. That said, if you have any questions, we're happy to help.


The "Base" uniform for non-Kindergartners will cost about $55, and each year has some rotating pieces and handbook that together cost about $50.

So your first non-Kindergarten year you'll spend about $105-$110 on the uniform and handbook, and in subsequent years you'll spend about $50/yr.

However, those rotating pieces are often available for free from our Pack's "swap shop", and the Pack also offers financial aid if needed.



Class A vs Class B


Class A uniforms are the button-down blue shirts (or, in the case of Kindergartners, the blue Lion T-shirt, and in the case of older Scouts, the tan shirts)

We prefer kids wear the Class A uniforms at monthly Pack meetings and when representing Scouting at things like the Memorial Day parade or the VFW wreath-laying.


Our Class B uniforms are our Pack T-Shirts.

We often wear the "Class B" T-shirts for Den meetings or for more active outdoor meetings like camping and overnights.


The Pack provides the Class B T-shirts free of charge for both adults and kids when you join the pack; you should be able to grab them at any of our meetings.

We ask that you acquire your own Class A uniforms, but we have a "swap shop" within the pack which can help with items like hats, neckerchiefs, and handbooks that change every year.


Where to Buy


You can buy uniforms and handbooks at the Darien Sport Shop, at either of two nearby Scout Shops, or online at ScoutShop.org.


Darien Sport Shop

The Third Floor of the Darien Sport Shop stocks most of these items in limited quantity, with no mark-up. You must ask an associate, because they keep them in a back room. This is often the simplest and quickest solution, but you can't always get everything you need.


Nearby Scout Shops (Greenwich or Milford)

The are also two Scout Shops relatively close to Darien, if you happen to be in their neighborhood.


One is in Greenwich, CT, at 63 Mason Street.

The other is in Milford, CT, at 60 Wellington Road.


Check online for hours and to confirm they're open before going.

They are usually fully stocked, and the Milford store will even sew on patches for you, for a fee.


Online Scout Shop

The other option is to buy your items online at the official Scout Shop (https://ScoutShop.org)

They have helpful web pages that help you identify what you need for each grade level.

It's not Amazon; shipping is expensive ($10) and slow (5-7 days). But it has it all.


Start here: https://www.scoutshop.org/cub-scout-collection

But you don't need everything that they list... see What to Buy below...


Also see the "Swap Shop" section below.



What to Buy


The "Base" uniform, which stays the same from year to year is the shirt, belt, and patches.

The "rotating" portions of the uniform, which change each year, are the handbook, hat, neckerchief, and neckerchief slide.

Scouts BSA also sells blue pants, shorts, and skorts, as well as blue and yellow socks, but as a unit we don't expect you to buy them.


Belt ($11)

All Cubs at all grade levels will want a Cub Scout Belt. This will hold all of their belt loops that they earn every year. It can be cut to fit, but leave extra length when cutting it, and it can be used all the way through their Cub Scout years.

We sometimes have belts in the swap shop.


Shirt ($29)

Kindergartners (Lion) have it easiest. They need a blue Lion T-shirt. You do not need a button down shirt for your Kindergartner, nor do you need any of the patches listed below.


Everybody else should get a blue button down uniform shirt from one of the shops above.

I recommend short sleeve, but long sleeve are an option. We have blue shirts in our swap shop, but your mileage may vary since these get some wear and tear.


Fourth and fifth graders have the option to buy a tan shirt instead of the blue shirt. If you outgrow your blue shirt in fourth or fifth grade, go ahead and get the tan shirt that you can then take with you when you cross over to Scouts BSA.


Patches ($13)

When you purchase a blue button down shirt, you should also pick up a few patches:

  1. Connecticut Yankee Council shoulder patch ($5)

  2. Purple International Crest ($3)

  3. Pack numbers (red numerals): Pack 55 (Ox Ridge) or Pack 56 (Royle) ($3)

  4. Den number (the Pack can provide these) ($2)


Handbook ($17)

All Cubs at all grade levels will want a Handbook that matches their year. You'll complete much of the advancement requirements at your Den meetings, but there will be some activities that you only do as a family, and you'll want the handbook to know those tasks.

We often have handbooks in the swap shop.


Hat, Neckerchief, & Slide ($36)

Each year has a different color hat ($18), neckerchief ($11), and neckerchief slide ($7) to help identify the age group of your Cub.


Lions do NOT need a neckerchief or slide in our Pack, but you may want the Lion hat.


Tigers' hats and neckerchiefs are orange, Wolf is red, and Bear is blue.


Webelos and Arrow of Light both use the same plaid color, so they don't change their final year.

But Webelos should also grab a set of Colors ($6) which they use to hold their advancement pins.


We typically have hats, neckerchiefs, and slides in our swap shop.



Other Optional Suggestions


I like to sew my kids' patches on, because I'm a glutton for punishment and I want to pay it forward for all the sewing my mom did for me as a kid.


If you're sewing patches on, the only tips I've picked up are:

1) Glue them in place with those kids' glue sticks, while you're doing the sewing. That holds them in place temporarily better than pinning them on, and it washes off easily.

2) Only sew through the loops of the embroidery around the edges of thick patches. Don't try to punch through the full patch because they're often made of titanium.


For the rest of you, if you'd rather avoid the needle and thread, the Scout Shop sells something called "Badge Magic" which is a good iron-on adhesive.


Badge Magic Freestyle: https://www.scoutshop.org/badge-magic-cut-2-fit-kit-50105.html

Badge Magic Cub Scouts pre-cut: https://www.scoutshop.org/new-insignia/cub-scout-badge-magic-kit-654935.html

Badge Magic Webelos pre-cut: https://www.scoutshop.org/new-insignia/cub-scout-webelos-bagde-magic-kit-654934.html

Badge Magic Adhesive Remover (or just use goo-gone): https://www.scoutshop.org/new-insignia/badge-magic-adhesive-remover-654464.html


For the yearly rank badges (1st thru 3rd), many families also find this plastic hanger useful:

Rank holder: https://www.scoutshop.org/diamond-emblem-holder-64041.html



Uniform Swap Shop


We encourage families to donate your used uniform pieces each year to our Pack's swap shop.


In particular, neckerchiefs, hats, neckerchief slides, and handbooks are unique to each grade level, so it's very easy to give them to the Pack at the end of each year, and then we have them available to give to other families each year. They don't tend to see a lot of wear and tear.


You'll find the "Swap Shop" in a few plastic bins at our start-of-year and end-of-year Pack meetings, but also feel free to ask.



Adult Uniforms


Last but not least, we ask that our adult leaders set an example and wear the Class A uniform when possible.

The adult Class A uniform is a tan button down shirt, with blue loops on the shoulders, and the same patches as listed above (with the exception of the Den number).

Personally, I also have the green scout belt, but I wear green pants and socks from rei.