New Boy Scout troop serves Islamic youth

All boys - and their parents- can benefit from the BSA program. It helps develop character. These young men can become leaders in their community, with positive (American) values.

Define "rag-tag". If 20 Scouts show up at a meeting, I'll say 17 of them have a Scout shirt and neckerchief/slide on. Maybe 12 have pants/shorts. We do have uniform inspections annually, and Scouts who don't have a uniform and who I do know have one are questioned by both their junior leaders and the adults as to why they don't have it on. I get a lot of, "Mom hasn't washed it yet", to which we reply that we expect them to learn how to use the washing machine. Another revelation.

I agree. This is why I would welcome this unit. There's no better way to teach American values to youth than through a BSA unit, especially a Boy Scout Troop.

rag-tag = motley,

When one dresses like a Scout, one will act like a scout.

I see scouts in the inner city dressed in Class A's and it looks great, they act like scouts.

Seems kids and their parents have no money for unifoms for scouting but have money for Tommy Hilfiger, Fila, Dokkers, Old Navy, etc. They also have money for very-expensive sneakers, 8-ball jackets, goose-down jackets, and the latest Hip Hop attire. When it comes to looking like the people who appear on MTV, the sky is the limit, but when it's time for a Scout Uniform, all of a sudden they have no money, give me a break. They have money for vacations, cell phones, caller ID, cable tv or satellite dishes, jewelry (the latest are these chains they wear around their necks, etc.

When it comes to wearing uniforms for soccer, baseball, school band, etc. they are in compliance, but to wear a scout uniform, they can't. Incidentally by just wearing a shirt is not a uniform, when all the boys are "uniform" then they are in uniform, and when they are all wearing their scout uniforms then and only then are they in "Scout Uniform" a shirt is just a shirt until it is matched with pants, belt, socks, then it's a "Scout" uniform.

I find the better troops wear their class "A" uniforms to meetings and other formal or indoor activities.

When one dresses like a Scout, one will act like a scout.

I see scouts in the inner city dressed in Class A's and it looks great, they act like scouts.

I agree. In fact, I think that's one reason why some kids don't like to wear the uniform; they feel their behavior is constrained in them.

Seems kids and their parents have no money for unifoms for scouting but have money for Tommy Hilfiger, Fila, Dokkers, Old Navy, etc.

[snip]

For some kids, I couldn't agree more. I have quite a broad range of incomes in my unit. For some people, the cost of a complete class A uniform is significant. But for others, the situation is as you describe.

Incidentally by just wearing a shirt is not a uniform, when all the boys are "uniform" then they are in uniform, and when they are all wearing their scout uniforms then and only then are they in "Scout Uniform" a shirt is just a shirt until it is matched with pants, belt, socks, then it's a "Scout" uniform.

Even with just the shirt, a much more uniform appearance among the Scouts is promoted than if nothing at all. Understand that I too ask the Scouts to wear the complete class A to all meetings, etc. I ask all the parents every time I see them. I wear it all the time myself, and after a meeting, if I need to go to the store, I don't run home and change first.

In fact, a couple times in the local grocery store, in civvies, I have had the experience of saying hello to a Scout parent, getting no response in return, and then a couple of seconds later a look of recognition, along with "Oh! I didn't recognize you at first without your uniform on."

I find the better troops wear their class "A" uniforms to meetings and other formal or indoor activities.

I'm doing the best I can.

Yep, maybe you ought to try a point system and include uniforming as one of the items for points, those who attain a certain amount of points at the end of the year gets a prize, money for summer camp, etc. I used that type of system where the scouts would accumulate points for attendance at:meetings,camping trips, service projects, etc, dues, advancement, uniforming, and it seemed to work.