Old Scout Uniform Shirts

[fritz1255]

I have about five BS uniform shirts that are from the 1970's, I think (the tags on the back says "Saniforized"). I used them back when I was an active scout leader, but have since "outgrown" them. I was going to donate them to my Troop's uniform box (stuff they make available to Troop members for free), but my son (former scout) advised against it. I have to agree with his logic - the shirts are not the same color as the current ones, and any boy wearing one will stick out like a sore thumb. Some overly frugal parent is likely to force their kid to wear the shirt, the kid will hate it, and possibly even drop out of scouts as a result. Peer pressue is a big deal with kids that age, and a Scout would need to be a history/nostalgia freak to want to wear one of these. I hate to just toss them out, given how expensive new uniforms are. Anybody have any ideas of where I could donate these things? I am hesitant to even sell them on EBay for the reasons stated above.

[mt_goodrich]

There are tons of collectors for old Boy Scout shirts if they are in good condition.

I see some adults these days actually wear a complete uniform of a certain period. They are still legal to wear. But for a youth, I would have to agree with you.

I actually found my Boy Scout shirt from 1982 with my Eagle patch sewn on. My mom had it along with some other stuff. It was like Christmas.

So, as far as eBay, I am sure a collector will snatch them up in good condition. If there are patches on it, even better.

[jr56]

I came across several old scout shirts from the 70's, and brought them along to summer camp one year to have extra shirts for kids that "forgot" their shirts, or got them dirty, whatever. The kids LOVED them, much to my surprise. So don't be afraid to donate them to a troop.

[BartHumphries]

Mail them to me and I'll see they get donated to someone who can use them. Retro is cool. I'm bart.humphries@gmail.com -- send me an email and I'll send you my physical address.

If you want to give them out in your own troop, that's fine -- here's how you do it. Pick someone to hold the shirts in their closet. If someone is having a hard time, then you quietly give them a shirt without telling anyone else about it. Now they're not wearing one of the old used shirts from the bin in the closet, they're wearing a cool retro shirt that's basically impossible to buy anywhere. Where'd they get it from? Who knows.