United States Youth Group Uniforms

Figure 1.--These boys are preaparing forva camping trip about 1942. At the time the American Scout unoform was being changed. A new cap had been adopted and knickers were about to be phased out. Note that sleeping bags were not yet innwide use.

Scouting in the principal American youth group in America. The American SCouting movement was stongly influenced by Baden Powell's Enbglish Scouts, but there were several Scout-like groups which formed in Americam before the Enlish Scouting movement was formed. After Scouting became the dominate movement in the 1900s. One of the most important was Camp Fire. Religious groups, objecting to the secular, non denominational constraints of Scoting formed the royal rangers. Right and left wing groups also formed uouth groups of some importance, primarily in the 1930s.

Awana

Awana is an international, Bible-centered youth ministry providing local churches with weekly clubs and programs for pre-schoolers through high schoolers. Awana is non-denominational, but mostly Protestant. Their goal is to reach boys and girls, and their families, with the gospel of Christ and train them to serve Him. The acronym Awana comes from the first letters of the phrase "approved workmen are not ashamed" (2 Timothy 2:15). Awana has a leader and clubber uniform. Clubber uniform options include a standard gray uniform shirt, green T-shirt, or green polo shirt. The grey shirt can be worn with a red or other colored tie or neckerchief. Leader uniform options: sandard gray uniform shirt or green polo shirt with the Truth and Training Club (T&T) embroidered logo and "Awana" woven into the cuffs.

Boy Scouts

The Scouting movement was founded by Lord Baden-Powell in England. Americans and boys' organizations played a major role in the movement. The Scouting movement was simply accepted in many countries. American played a major role in the program that was finally conceived by Baden-Powell. When American Scouting was founded, existing organizations were incoroprated into it. Despite this role in the Scouting movement, American Scouts dd not follow the unifiorm conceived by Baden-Powell and adopted by virtually every other country. American Scouts insisted on wearing knickers rather than short pants. American Scouting can trace its history to both domestic and English influences. Some important steps leading to the founding of the American Boy Scouys were layed before the turn of the century. An important book in the development of scouting was published in 1882, the American Boys Handybook written by Daniel Carter Beard. Some early Scout groups were founded in America even before, the famed unknown English Scout introduced ??? to Scouting. Woodcraft Indians were founded by Ernest Thompson Seton in 1902. Sons of Daniel Boone started by Daniel Carter Beard in 1905. Boy's Clubs were founded in 1906. The first American Boy Scout camp was held at Silver Bay, Lake George, N.Y. in 1910. The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) were incorporated in 1910. The first local councils chartered in 1913. The BSA issued 57 merit badge books in 1915, the first such detailed instructions issued for this important phase of Scouting. The U.S. Congress granted a Federal Charter in 1916 and in that same year the BSA constitution and by-laws were adopted. American Cubbing was introduced in 1930 so that younger boys could participate. Scouting grew to be the major youth group in America with a substantial proportion of American boys particiapting in Cubs or Scouts. Modern boys have many more options and demands on their time, but Scouting continues to be a major activity for many American boys.

Boys' Clubs

The Boys Club is a largely American group, although there are clubs in some other countries. The Boys' Club is the oldest American youth organization and possibly the oldest in the world. The Boys and Girls Club Movement began in the United States just before the outbreak of the the Civil War. The first Boys Club was founded in Harford, Connecticut during 1860--the Dashaway Club. Interestingly, it was the women of Harford whjo were responsoble. They were concerned about the boys who were roaming the streets without any constructive activities. Apparently the girls were not roaming and already had constructive activities to occuopy them--probably helping mom with the cooking and cleaning. The women thoughtb that the boys should have a positive alternative. They organized the first Boys' Club. Soon Clubs were opening in large cities throughout the United States. The idea spread to other areas of the country and more Clubs were formed. The first Club to use “Boys Club” in its official title was the Boys Club of New York in 1876. At this time, the Clubs served only boys. By the turn of the 20th century, there were about 50 such clubs. Representatices of 53 clubs formed a national organization (1906). Girls Clubs were also formedm but as a separate organization. They evolved into Girls, Inc. which organizes actibities for girls a serves as an advocacy group for girls. In response to a need for a girls program, the Boys Clubs began to also serve girls. The national organization officially changed its name to Boys and Girls Clubs of America (1900). There are over 4,000 Clubs in the United States serving over 4 million members. There are similar organizations in Germany, Australia, Canada, and many other countries around the world, but thev program is much smaller outside the United States.

Camp Fire

Camp Fire, Inc., formerly known as the Camp Fire Girls, is the outgrowth of a unique summer camping program developed by Dr. and Mrs. Luther Halsey Gulick. In large, full bloomers, white middies and blue ties, a group of girls spent two summers at Lake Sebago, Maine, in a program of fire building, cooking, sewing, bedmaking, singing, Indian lore, and folk dancing. The success of the program and the need for an ongoing year-round activity for girls attracted a group of unusual men and women who were destined to begin the first national, non-sectarian organization for girls in the United States. The name, Camp Fire Girls, was chosen from among hundreds suggested. The word "Camp" symbolizes the outdoor spirit of the organization. "Fire" symbolizes the home, the place of comfort and cheer, and keeping the fire burning, whether in camp or in a home, was a necessary task. As early as 1913, small groups of girls in Oklahoma City were meeting together as Camp Fire Girls. Each group formulated its own program, based upon scanty information they received explaining the general purpose of Camp Fire Girls and the philosophy upon which it was built.

Four-H

The 4-H is not a uniformed youth group. It is, however a youth group of considerable importance. 4-H was a major youth movement in rural America. Although rural America has significantly declined in importance, there still are about 6 million young people involved in 4-H youth programs. Educators accross America began to organize programs for rural youth well before an actual national 4-H program was established. Progressive thinkers in America saw the need to better educate farmers and introduce increasingly sophisticated scientific findings into farm practices. This process began with the Morrill Act during the Civil War (1862). This established Federal Government support for Land Grant Unversities. Later in the 19th century educators saw the importance to promote nature study for students before the university level. This was considered to be an increasingly important part of a agricultural education. Education and community leaders began founding boys and girls clubs and leagues, commonly in schools and churches. Farmers Institutes began working with with school dictricts by sponsoring various contests, soil tests, and plant identification contests to build interest among young people. Young people were encouraged to take on projects, rather like science fair projects. These clubs and leagues after the turn of the 20th century began exhibited their projects. This "hands on" approach for 4-H was notble the the early origins of the movement. The "learning by doing" was persued from the onset. State organizations for these clubds began to appear. Parents commonly acted as volunteer leaders. County Extension agents provided materials and technicak advise. Parents began to see real practical benefits from these clubs and support began to grow. The use of the term "4-H Club" did not begin until several state organizations had appeared. The term "4-H" first appeared in a Federal Government bulletin written by Gertrude L. Warren in 1918. Clubs all over America took to the name and by 1925 it was in common use. The original objective of the 4-H program was to form boys and girls clubs across the United States in order to promote agricultural education. Over time 4-H has changed. It is no longer exclusively devoted to agriculture, but this remains an important focus. The overall objective has remained constant: "the development of youth as individuals and as responsible and productive citizens".

Junior Nautical Brigade

A HBU reader writes, "As a boy age 11 in 1950 i was involved with a group called the Junior Nautical Birgade. We were meeting at a high school in Ozone Park, New Yor. We always me on Fiday night. This is not a group HBU is familiar with. We would be interested in any information HBU readers may have.

Nationalist Groups

A variety of nationlist groups have been formed in America. Some early Scout-like organizations formed at the turn of the 20th century. While these grops had a very nationalistic focus, they were ecentually joined with the Boy Scouts of America. There were limitations with American nationlist groups because of the great diversity of the United States. Nationalist groups thrived where there was a common ethnic idenity. This of course did not exist in America. Thus what was occurred was the organization of ethnic groups. The strongest such group was German Americans, a small group of whom was inspired by Hitler's NAZI New Order. Various groups were formed which by 1936 had become the German-American Bund. The Bund organized a youth section and ran summer camps during the 1930s and early 40s. Hitler wanted a strong NAZI orienterd German group to organize in America, but he wanted it to be done quietly. He did not want to stir America from isolationism. The Bund led by Fritz Kuhn did all it could to make headlines, even holding a mass rally in New York' Madison Square Garden. The Bund's activities frightened many Americans and inspired a series of Congressional investigations. The Bund was disbanded when Hitler declared war on America after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Contemporary right-wing groups such as the Klu-Klux-Klan, Aryan Nation, and others often involve children, but not as a separate, uniformed youth group.

Royal Rangers

Many religious groups sponsor Scout troops. There is a minimal religious component to American Scouting and in a few cekebrated cases, boys who were athiests have been excluded. Some religious groups want more control over the Scouting program and who belongs. They have formed their own Scout units, but the Boy Scout Association has a legal lock on the word "Scouting" in the United States. Only the Girl Scouts have been given permission to use the word. It is trademarked, which is why one religious group which has its own program calls them "Royal Rangers"--they can't use the word "Scout".

Sons of Daniel Boone

American Daniel Carter Beard founded the Sons of Daniel Boone in 1905. The name for this organization was obvious. More than any other man, Daniel Boone was responsible for the exploration and settlement of Kentucky--the western frontier of 18th century America. The Sons of Daniel Boone was in the 1900s, the larfest boys organization in America. Beard was an advocate of Scouting and eventually his organization joined the Scouting movement.

Woodcraft Indians

The American author and illustrator, Ernest Thompson Seton, created the Woodcraft Indians in 1902. It was designed for boys aged 12 to 15 years and was based on North American Indian lore and outdoor life. In 1906 he added the Little Lodge of Woodcraft Indians for younger boys and girls, which in many ways was the fore runner of Cubbing, even though it took the Boy Scots many years to establish Cubbing--well after most other countries had established the program. Seton visited London in 1906 and met with Baden Powell to exchange ideas. Baden Powell eventually incorporated some of Seton's ideas and later credited Seton with being one of the fathers of Boy and Cub Scouting. His many volumes of Scoutcraft became an integral part of Scouting, and his intelligence and enthusiasm helped turn an idea into reality.

Young Judea

Young Judea is the oldest Americam Jewish youth movement. It was established in 1909 by the Zionist Organization of America. Young Judea promotes the Zionist idea, encourages Jewish youth in their spiritual and physical development. It also promotes Jewish culture and identity. The movement operates through the many Hebrew schools located throughout America. It was for many years the largest youth movement among American Jews. Members during World War I joined Jewish regiments. Beginning in 1924, Young Judaea developed a cooperative relationship with the Scouts organization in Palestine. Hadassah, the Women's Zionist Organization of America began sponsoring the group in 1967.

Young Pioneers

There were also Young Puineers in America. Some Americans with leftist leanings during the 1920s desired that their children participate in a more ideplogically oriented program than the Boy Scouts. Interest increased in the 1930s after the onset of the Depression. Unlike comparable right-wing groups like the German American Bund, the American Pioneers did not have uniforms. Summer camps were set up so that the children's political education could be pursued during their summer vacation.