The Boy Scouts of America has always been a uniformed body. Its uniforms help to create a sense of belonging. They symbolize character development, citizenship training, and personal fitness. Wearing a uniform gives youth and adult members a sense of identification and commitment.

• Personal equality - The uniform represents a democratic idea of equality, bringing people of different backgrounds together in the Scouting tradition.
• Identification - The uniform identifies youth and adult members of the Boy Scouts of America, visible as a force for good in the community. When properly and smartly worn, the uniform can build good unit spirit.
• Achievement - The uniform shows the wearer’s activity, responsibility, and achievement. The accomplishments of every youth and adult member can be recognized by the insignia worn on the uniform.
• Personal commitment - The uniform is a constant reminder to all members of their commitment to the ideals and purpose of the Scouting movement. It is a way of making visible members’ commitment to a belief in God, loyalty to country, and helping others at all times.

The leaders of Scouting—volunteer and professional—should promote the wearing of the correct, complete uniform on all suitable occasions.

Wearing the Uniform

In general, every Cub Scout should wear his uniform to all Cub Scouting activities, including den and pack meetings, unit outings, and any activities done with members of the den or pack. When playing sports, going to camp, or participating in other physical activities, a pack may opt to have the Cub Scouts wear an alternate uniform, such as an activity shirt. Pack leaders should provide advance notice of any occasion when the boys should wear anything other than the complete uniform.

Here are some tips for wearing the uniform:

• DO keep the uniform clean and in good repair. The official uniform is a sturdy, machine-washable garment that will last for years with proper care.
• DO be sure to wear the complete uniform. A Cub Scout wearing a uniform with parts missing is not in uniform.
• DO NOT wear non-BSA badges, awards, or insignia on the Cub Scout uniform or make any alterations to the uniform or insignia.

Any time you are uncertain about uniform regulations, ask the den leader for guidance.

The uniform described on this page is known as the Field Uniform.  The Activity Uniform is a Scouting-related T-Shirt and scout pants.  These two uniforms (Field and Activity) are often refered to as Class A and Class B uniforms though that terminology is not used in any official BSA publications. For more information either ask your den leader, or one of the Adult Leaders at Pack Night. 

Why Do We Wear Uniforms?

The Boy Scouts of America has always been a uniformed body. There are many reasons for this. One reason stands out above all the rest. We wear the uniform because it is a means of identifying ourselves openly with the principles to which we are committed-character development, citizenship training, and physical and mental fitness.

The fact that youth and adult members of Scouting wear a uniform doesn't mean that we're all alike. We come from different ethnic and racial backgrounds. We have our own religious beliefs and political views. We are each individuals with our own family traditions and loyalties. So the uniform is not intended to hide our individuality. But it is a way we give each other strength and support. It is a bond that ties us together in spite of our differences. It is a way of making visible our commitment to a belief in God, loyalty to country, and to helping other people.

The Scouting movement is built on positive values. As we wear the uniform, we are openly identifying ourselves with those values where everyone can see us. We stand together, not alone, in encouraging others to live by those same principles. Boys and adults alike should take pride in belonging to such a movement and wear the uniform as it is intended.

Uniform Sleeves

 

BADGES OF IDENTIFICATION AND TENURE

COUNCIL EMBLEM
A council shoulder patch (CSP) emblem is worn by all Cub Scouts directly below the shoulder seam on the left sleeve.This emblem is unique to the BSA council hosting your Cub Scout Pack.
                              

 U.S. FLAG EMBLEM
A red, white, and blue embroidered American Flag emblem for all members. Worn by all Cub Scouts on the right sleeve. Centered directly below the shoulder seam, it is standard issue on all Scouting uniforms.

 

UNIT NUMERALS
A white numeral embroidered on red background. Worn by all boys and pack leaders directly below council patch on the left sleeve. When the veteran unit bar is worn, the Unit Numerals are worn just below, and touching it.

 

 DEN NUMERALS
A gold numeral embroidered on navy blue background. Worn by Cub Scouts and Webelos Scouts centered and touching the bottom of the U.S. flag on the on the right sleeve.

 WEBELOS DEN (PATROL) EMBLEM
Webelos Dens may have a name and wear a Boy Scout patrol emblem instead of a den numeral, but they are still a Cub Scout Den. This emblem can be worn by Webelos Scouts centered and touching the bottom of the U.S. flag on the on the right sleeve. See our pages regarding the use of the Boy Scout Patrol emblem as a Webelos Den Emblem.

 SERVICE STARS
Gold metallic numbered star worn with colored background to indicate years of service in Scouting. Cub Scouts and Webelos Scouts wear star(s) with gold back ground, centered 3/8 inch above the on the left pocket. Boys who have been Tiger Cubs may wear the Tiger Cub service star with orange background on their Cub Scout uniform.

 WORLD CREST
The World Crest emblem should be worn by all youth and adult leaders. The 1-1/2" diameter badge is white on a violet background. It contains a basic fleur motif encircled by a rope tied with a reef or square knot symbolizing the unity and brotherhood of the World Organization of Scouting Movement (WOSM) throughout the world. The emblem should be, worn centered horizontally above the left pocket, and placed vertically between the left shoulder seam and the top of the pocket.

 

UNIFORM POCKET

 

BADGES OF RANK 

 

TIGER CUB BADGE.
A diamond-shaped cloth badge, orange and black embroidered on orange background with gold trim. Worn on the left pocket, in the 6 o'clock position, as shown in Insignia Guide.

 

BOBCAT BADGE
A diamond-shaped cloth badge, gold and black embroidered on light bluebackground with gold trim. Worn on the left pocket, in the 12 o'clock position, as shown inInsigniaGuide.

WOLF BADGE
A diamond-shaped cloth badge, black and gray embroidered on red background with gold trim. Worn on the left pocket, in the 9 o'clock position, as shown in Insignia Guide.

BEAR BADGE
A diamond-shaped cloth badge, brown and black on green background with gold trim. Worn on the left pocket, in the 3 o'clock position, as shown in Insignia Guide.

WEBELOS BADGE (diamond)
A diamond-shaped cloth badge, gold and light blue embroidered on dark blue background with gold trim. Worn centered on the left pocket as shown in Insignia Guide. Webelos Scouts wear only the current badge of rank (Bobcat, Wolf, Bear, or Webelos badge.) Option: Webelos Scouts who have not earned the Tiger Cubrank may wear all rank badges earned with diamond-shaped Webelos badge.

 WEBELOS BADGE (oval)
An oval-shaped cloth badge, gold and light blue embroidered on khaki background with khaki trim. Worn centered on the left pocket, with no other rank patches, as shown in Insignia Guide.

ARROW OF LIGHT AWARD
A gold design embroidered on a tan background with a blue border. Worn on the left pocket flap centered over the button. This is the highest award in Cub Scouting and the only Cub Scout badge that may be worn on the Boy Scout uniform.

  

CUB SCOUT UNIFORMS:

• Shirt—The official uniform shirt is available with long or short sleeves and has button-flap pockets and "Boy Scouts of America" lettered in gold above the right pocket.
• Trousers or shorts—Official blue. (Blue jeans or blue "dockers" type pants or shorts will do fine) 
• Belt—Official navy-blue web belt with metal buckle and Tiger Cub, Cub Scout, or Webelos Scout emblem.
• Socks—Official socks are available in three lengths: ankle, crew, and knee. Tiger Cubs' socks are navy blue with orange tops. Cub Scouts' socks are navy blue with gold tops. The socks are not manditory.
• Cap—Official navy-blue cap with orange front panel and tiger cub emblem for Tiger Cubs; yellow panel and wolf emblem for Wolf Cub Scouts; blue panel and bear emblem for Bear Cub Scouts. Webelos Scouts wear an olive cap with a plain panel bearing the Webelos logo.
• Neckerchief—Triangular neckerchief is orange with navy-blue trim for Tiger Cubs, gold with navy-blue trim for Wolf Cub Scouts, light blue with navy-blue trim for Bear Cub Scouts, and plaid for Webelos Scouts. Official BSA neckerchiefs are the only neckerchiefs that boys should wear. Packs should not make their own pack neckerchiefs.
• Neckerchief slide—Official gold-tone metal slide with the Tiger Cub, Cub Scout, or Webelos Scout logo. Boys may wear handmade neckerchief slides.

 

 

WEBELOS CUB SCOUT UNIFORMS:

 Webelos Scouts may choose to wear either the blue Webelos uniform based on the Cub Scout uniform or the tan/olive uniform similar to the one that Boy Scouts wear.

For the tan/olive uniform, boys wear the official Boy Scout olive trousers or shorts and official Boy Scout tan long- or short-sleeved shirt with blue shoulder loops. Official blue socks (with gold tops) are worn with the blue uniform, and official olive socks (with red tops) are worn with the tan/olive uniform.

With either uniform, all Webelos Scouts should wear the Webelos neckerchief (plaid with the Webelos emblem), Webelos neckerchief slide (handmade slides are also acceptable), Webelos cap, and Weblos belt buckle.

Note that the Webelos belt buckle will fit either the blue or olive belt, but the belt loop recognitions for the Cub Scout Academics and Sports program fit only on the blue web belt.

 

 

  

 

Male Adult Leader Uniforms All men who are Scouting leaders wear the same uniform with shoulder loops that indicate their program (blue shoulder loops indicate Cub Scouting). The official uniform consists of the following parts:  Trousers or shorts - Official olive trousers or shorts are available in cotton, polyester/cotton blend, and polyester/wool blend. Shirt - Official tan shirt is available with long or short sleeves, button-down pockets, and epaulets Socks - Olive socks are available in three lengths: ankle, crew, and knee. Belt - Leaders may opt to wear the olive web belt or an official leather belt. Cap - Leaders who opt to wear a cap may wear the blue and gold leaders' cap or they wear the same cap as the youth they serve. Neckwear is also optional for leaders, but there are a handful of options: Necktie - An olive or tan dress tie may be worn. Necktie - A Cub Scout leader bolo tie is also available. Leader Neckerchiefs - A Cub Scout leader neckerchief with navy blue with gold edging and gold Cub Scout emblem may be worn by all Cub Scout leaders. Specialized neckerchiefs are also available for Tiger Cub den leaders and Webelos den leaders.   Female Adult Leader Uniforms Women who serve as adult leaders in the Cub Scout program have two uniform options. Tan/Olive Uniform - Female leaders may wear the tan and olive uniform, identical to the one worn by men. Uniform options for women also include culottes or a skirt, and a scarf is available as a neckwear option. Female leaders who wear culottes or a skirt may opt to wear hose instead of the uniform socks. Blue/Gold Uniform - Female leaders in Cub Scouting also have the option of wearing a blue and gold uniform, consisting of  Trousers, shorts, skirt, or culottes—Official blue. Blouse—Yellow shirt is available with long or short sleeves, button-down pockets, and epaulets. Socks—Official blue socks are available in three lengths: ankle, crew, and knee. Female leaders who wear culottes or skirt may opt to wear hose instead. Belt—Official blue web belt with the Cub Scout logo. Cap—Leaders who opt to wear a cap may wear the blue and gold leaders' cap or they wear the same cap as the youth they serve.  Neckwear is also optional for leaders, but there are a handful of options: Leader Neckerchiefs - A Cub Scout leader neckerchief with navy blue with gold edging and gold Cub Scout emblem may be worn by all Cub Scout leaders. Specialized neckerchiefs are also available for Tiger Cub den leaders and Webelos den leaders. Scarf - An official scarf.