In putting together the first edition of the Badge and Uniform Site back in the 90s, much of my email came from “old time Scouters” who first, appreciated that there’s a place online they can point to their peers and say “See, THIS is the right information!” even if it doesn’t appear in a *current Scouting booklet* or handbook. The other part is that the information bares out to what I commonly refer to as “Common Scouter Sense”.
The information has beared out with five subsequent versions of that unofficial website.
Bryan asks this question, because the current Uniform and Insignia task force (one of several task forces I find myself assisting) is relooking the question: Just when DO Scouts and Scouters take off their hats (if, like some have posted here, the Troop or Team DECIDES as a unit that they SHOULD wear a hat!) and are asking you and I, fellow Scouters for *what our policy* is.
Here’s the answer I provided both on the Badge and Uniform Site, and to the seventeen people who posted to me today (no, I don’t know the answer to the “Giraffe Riddle” and even if I did, it’s a fun way to interact with others electronically!).
This is from one of my favorite references — the BSA’s “Scout Courtesy, Customs and Drills”, which was printed in 1942 and as I stated earlier, provides a lot of “Common Scouter Sense”. Yes, I’ve shared this resource with the Uniform and Insignia task force (and before that the Committee), but it never got past the “that’s nice” stage.
Your mileage may vary.
“The Scout hat is an integal and essential part of the Scout Uniform. In many ways it is its most distinctive feature, one which even at considerable distance proclaims that its wearer is a Scout.”
(they are speaking, of course, to the “broad-brimmed hat” we later called the “Smokey the Bear” hat. It is still “legal” and “official” to wear, BTW.)
“The Scout hat should be worn at all times that the Uniform is worn. The Scout or Scouter removes his hat, however, in the prescence of ladies or upon entering a home, church, school building, office or indoor public gathering. At church and school assemblies where Scouts are in formation, leaders by prearrangement may indicate that Scouts will remove their hats upon entering the building.
At Scout meetings, Courts of Honor, circuses, camps and camporees, the leaders should determine the custom to be followed according to the circumstances.
Scouts attending a funeral service in uniform should remove their hats, unless otherwise requested.
While marching or standing in a Color Guard, Scouts wear their hats at all times.”
This information, in more detail, is also found at http://www.scoutinsignia.com/hats.htm
Hope this helps out….
Settummanque!
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