Vintage Boy Scout Gear

[Sprocket]

About a year ago I found all my dearly departed Dad's scout handbooks from his years as a Cub Scout and Boy Scout in the 50's.  As a current Scoutmaster myself, these books are very interesting.  I started seeking out vintage scout items last summer and I've been blessed to find a few great items in my local thrift stores.  I actually use the items I find and I think it's a great way to connect the scouts of today with scouting of the past.

-Sprock

[Good Buddy]

If'n ya want. I'll keep an eye out and get what I can for ya.

[Sprocket]

Thank you very much Good Buddy.  That's very kind of you 
-Sprock

[Good Buddy]

Sure brother, I'll keep my eyes peeled.

[mccoysnina]

Geat find!
 A few months ago I found a belt buckle from the BS High Adventure camp called Philmont.  It is in New Mexico.  DS and his troop went there last year.  He had bought a belt buckle there but had gotten one of the cheaper ones and the one I found was one of hte more expensive ones. It was kind of tarnished but it cleaned up well and he wore it to a flag raising ceremony last month and an Eagle ceremony last night.  He was thrilled to get it.  Apparently the only place you can gt them is at Philmont itself, so you have to have been ther to buy one.  We figure soemone died and the family did not realize what they had and pitched it.  All the Scouts and former Scouts we know hold onto those sorts of things.
Actually I almost didn't buy it since I wasn't sure it was the BS Philmont but then I figured what the heck it is only $1.50.  Glad I took the chance.  It turned out to be the right one.
Jeannie

[Sprocket]

That's so awesome!
-Sprock

[SplashsMom]

Philmont items are the Grail to dedicated scouters.
I finally had to give up wearing the shirt my guys brought back for me because I would always get stopped by people who wanted to talk.  Simple errands took hours.
And all I did was wait patiently at home while they were facing the wilderness.    You are right - anyone in the know does not discard a memory from Philmont.

[mccoysnina]

DS reported being the object of envy at the flag raising ceremony over his new/old belt buckle.  He told me if I ever see any more of them, to snatch them up.  I have been tshopping for over 40 and that is the only one I can remember ever seeing.  So if he can wait another 40 years or so... Or who knows, one might pop up somewhere next week.
The thrill of the hunt.
DS brought me back some earrings so I never get stopped to chat about Philmont while I am out.  Maybe just as well.
Jeannie

[vintagemad]

My boys are both in the scouts and I cant believe how much all the gear costs new! My mother in law is a leader and anything I find having to do with scouts I buy and give to her. This fall I went to the goodwill vintage sale in Duluth and got 10 different shirts, some belts and scarves and a few books for like $20. We give all the items to the boys who cant afford the new things,which this year seems to be almost everyone. But my favorite thing scout related is a handbook from 1934 and an eagle scout pin from same year those are going to be a Christmas present to my ex mother in law.

[mccoysnina]

I have found lots of camping gear I donate to the Scout closet, a storage room where my son's troop keep donated used Scout gear campig equipment.  I have found things like mess kits, rain gear, Gore-Tex  clothing etc.  Not necessairily official Scout gear but equipment the Scouts need for hiking trips or camp-outs.  The Scouts are not allowed to go on trips unless they have the needed items.  If the boys can't afford it or it is gear for a single trip they can borrow  what is n the Scout closet or "buy" it using Scout bucks they can earn by doing various activities.  One year the troop went on the Boundary Waters trip and all hte boys needed shirts that thye could wear thta would dry quickly.  Neo-prene maybe?  Any way expensive to buy new but with a year's notice I found enough that every boy had one and I didn't pay more than a dollar or two for any of them.
Jeannie