Hello all
As some of you know we have been struggling for some time to get khaki shirts for the cubs and scouts and the only khaki shirts we have been able to get are very expensive (R120). We are considering to change the cub pack’s uniform away from the khaki.
Scout Policy, Organisation & Rules (PO&R) does state that “all items of uniform should be identical within each branch of the Group – i.e. Pack, Troop, or Crew.” so the pack could move away from the khaki shirts while the troop retain the khaki shirt.
Although the scout Policy, Organisation & Rules (PO&R) states that the standard uniform for cubs is the khaki shirt it does however make provision for a review mechanism under the following provisions:
“Any variation to the standard uniform may be requested by a Scout Group and will be considered by
the Provincial Commissioner, providing:
- The proposed variation is in keeping with the aims, methods and policies of the Scout Movement,
- A formal motivation supporting the proposed variation is submitted to the Provincial Commissioner,
- The proposed variation is clearly supported by both the COH and the Group Scouters Council of the Scout Group concerned, and
- The variation has the unanimous support of the Group Parents Committee”
The change of cub uniform shirt from Khaki to another colour is in keeping with the aims, methods and policies of the Scout Movement and the main motivation for the change is to keep the cost of the uniform at an acceptable level and to ensure that uniform does not become a barrier to membership, Further motivation is that the availability of khaki shirts in suitable sizes has also become a problem recently.
We have had some discussion in this regard via e-mail but now need to open the discussion a bit wider and I intend arranging a meeting of parents and scouters to discuss and finalise this issue but would like everyone to start thinking in this regard.
A synopsis of the discussion so far based on the fact that we originally considered white shirts is as follows:
- In principle it OK but the white shirts may be difficult to keep clean.
- If the cubs change their shirt colour and the scouts stay with Khaki the cubs going up to scouts will need to buy new shirts when going to scouts.
- Shirts must be locally available and reasonably priced.
- Other colours that can be considered are light blue, dark blue, grey and even dark green was mentioned
We have 3 cubs that need to be invested very soon so we need make a decision. Please leave any comments you have and do the informal poll that has been set up
Yours in Scouting
Deon Engelbrecht
Group Scouter
