All Programs Policies Facial Hair

Stan Krieger wrote and asked in a Scouting forum:

Over the last few months, some of the older scouts have started to grow beards (or goatees, depending on age). Several of the adult leaders feel that such an appearance is inappropriate for a youth member, while others feel it's no big deal. The reason this is now an issue is that one of the boys is coming up on Eagle Scout, and there are those who would fail him on "A Scout is Clean" based on his appearance.

I need opinions (of which we all know there's no shortage of on this newsgroup).

Stan:

I was looking at my monitor when I replied... I thought you were talking about ME!! *heheehehehehee*

(those of you without the benefit of having Stan Krieger's super "look-through" monitor would just have to be content with seeing the image he saw from my website. I took a image of myself looking at Stan's monitor (or was it his message!)

and yes, it is suitable for all audiences (unless you're afraid of people with a little facial hair!)

Seriously, Stan...there is NOTHING in the BSA's policies which restricts facial hair. It is a part of a young man's growth and one of the first decisions he has to really make for himself -- to let it grow or to cut it off every day.

For myself, I wear as much facial hair as I can stand EXCEPT when I appear in front of television cameras or when wearing a uniform (either my military uniform, which has strict written and unwritten policies; or my Scout uniform, whereby there are no rules except one must be "presentable").

I took the photo to illustrate the fact that Scouts CAN look presentable and still grow facial hair. It is a matter between parent and child as to how little or much they can STAND to be worn, and in teaching or mentoring the young man into wearing it properly and appropriately.

"A Scout is Clean" does not mean "A Scout must grow up quickly." Long hair, mustaches, beards, goatees -- if they are taken care of, are clean and presents a youthful appearance, can be appropriate. Unlike the military, there is no official grooming standards; if so, we would certainly would not have had Daniel Carter Beard nor several other national Scouters -- all who wore beards or mustaches or both.

I think your "clean police officers" need to take a chill pill, for there are more IMPORTANT things to consider in a Scout than the outward appearance!

Remember..it's not what's outside but but lurks inside which reveals the REAL person.

Settummanque!

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