There is only one official Scout uniform. Scouting America does not distinguish a formal "Class A" from an informal "Class B", but the terms are commonplace in Troop 4, and this page uses them the same way.
What Troop 4 provides
- Neckerchief with Troop 4 patch, and the troop's blue neckerchief for adults
- Quality Unit patch, when the troop holds it
- Troop anniversary patch
- Troop 4 Class B T-shirt for informal wear, at cost
What to buy first
- Khaki short-sleeved Scout shirt
- Scout belt and buckle
- Long or short Scout pants (official socks are required with shorts)
- Green shoulder loops
- Scout socks
- Neckerchief slide (replace the Cub Scout slide)
Patches: numeral 4, Arrow of Light if earned, council strip, World Crest, and patrol and position patches when assigned. Insignia placement is shown inside the covers of the Handbook.
Where: San Gabriel Valley Scout Shop, 411 E. Huntington Dr., Suite 117, Arcadia, CA 91006, 213-718-6227, or scoutshop.org. The troop also runs a used-uniform exchange; ask the Committee Chair.
Before you buy: advice from leaders
- Don't delay. Local shortages of shirts and pants sometimes happen February through April.
- Shorts or long pants is personal preference, as long as they are official. Many Scouts end up with both.
- Size for the next year or so, not four years. Eleven- and twelve-year-olds usually outgrow pants before shirts.
- Skip the official poncho, vest, and jacket. Our outdoor instructors can advise on practical rain gear.
- There is no troop hat. Hats with commercial logos are not worn with the uniform.
- No footwear policy; hiking shoes are always appropriate with the uniform.
- The belt is one length. Trim it so the brass tip meets the brass buckle, but leave room to grow.
- Buy the long (36-inch) merit badge sash. It will dangle at first, but re-sewing twenty badges onto a longer sash later is worse.
- Sew patches on, or use the Scout Shop adhesive kit. Heat transfer can stain or tear the shirt when patches change, and pins are not permitted.
When each uniform is worn
Full uniform at Monday meetings from Labor Day to Memorial Day, and whenever the troop travels as a group, including day hikes, base camps, and summer camp at Camp Cherry Valley. Full uniform with sash for Courts of Honor, Scout Sunday (the first Sunday in February), boards of review, Scoutmaster conferences, merit badge counselor meetings, and public events such as flag ceremonies.
The informal uniform, a Troop 4 T-shirt, is worn for summer meetings when the Scoutmaster announces it, on summer hikes and backpacking trips, and for service projects involving dirty work. When in doubt, ask a leader.
The uniform signals that the Scout accepts the values of the movement, and it builds personal responsibility and confidence. We ask adults to respect that and set the example by wearing theirs appropriately too.