Uniform for pregnant leader

Hi!! I am stepping up for my kiddo’s pack as Campus Captain and other things and need to get a uniform top. I’ve gone without one this year since I usually just wrangled my dragons on the side while she worked with her Lion den. However, I am pregnant and will deliver right after the big recruitment rush. There is no way a uniform shirt will button over this baby bump; I tried on my husband’s shirt, who wears the same size as me normally, and it was uncooperative. What do other pregnant adult leaders do? I was thinking of wearing the shirt open over a black maternity shirt but I don’t know if that’s allowed. I don’t have a pack t-shirt either.

I was at a district round table today for the first time and whewwww was I underdressed in a regular shirt and skirt. I’d like to not relive that (internal, everyone was very nice) embarrassment especially when we’re trying to get new families to join. I have a parent ribbon, maybe that’s enough?

in cubscoutsby iwearsassypants

100%

1mo

mspropst

Pack Committee Member

1mo

Can barely get uniforms to fit right when you don’t have a baby bump. Just get some sort of T shirt (packs class B even) or dry fit style polo with a Cub Scout logo off scout shop and substitute that as your uniform. You’re literally growing another Cub Scout. Wife is 6 months along and in the same boat.

Microfiber13

1mo

Their growing a “Dragon” scout. As in they will be dragging them around to all the meeting 😀

Efficient_Vix

1mo

Growing another Cub Scout. 😂

Agree with your advice. Basically whatever works for mom.

gadget850

⚜ Executive officer|TC|MBC|WB|OA|Silver Beaver|Eagle|50vet

1mo

Unlike the Army, we don't have maternity uniforms. No one is going to fault you so don't worry about it.

iwearsassypants

1mo

Alrighty! That makes sense. I got in my head there for a minute. Being surrounded tonight by I think every adult uniform thing there is freaked me out for a minute. I will aim for a simple outfit with clean lines, wear my parent ribbon, and focus on the message. Thank you!

Spieg89

1mo

I think anyone who sees you and recognizes that you are pregnant will understand why you aren’t wearing a uniform. I would say try and find a scouting shirt that works but if you can’t don’t worry about it. Anyone who gets upset isn’t someone you should worry about impressing.

mamasau

1mo

I would wear a cute maternity t-shirt or tennis dress (maybe army green or navy?) with the leader shirt open over it. The Ingrid and Isabel line from Target is great for this kind of thing.

iwearsassypants

1mo

Thank you!

janellthegreat

1mo

Solid advice

bigdog104

1mo

Others have given you some good advice but please don’t let any “uniform police” make you feel like you aren’t able to do your job if you can’t wear a uniform right now.

You could even make a little joke at the beginning of your recruitment about why you aren’t wearing a uniform.

iwearsassypants

1mo

“Growing a future cub here!!” Oh that would actually be such a cute shirt.

Budgiejen

1mo

Maybe you could put the pack logo on a maternity shirt. Many people have cricuts and do that kind of stuff

iwearsassypants

1mo

I’ll ask around!

Inevitable-Project-5

1mo

Now is your time for the t-shirt with the arrow pointing to your belly, text says "Future Cub Scout"!

iwearsassypants

1mo

Love!!!!

SharkfishHead

1mo

OP, whats the cub scout motto?

kecker

1mo

This.

So often when my den leaders or even parents are worried about doing something the "right way", I ask them the same. Then remind them that that applies to leaders/parents as well.

2BBIZY

1mo

BSA tan uniforms have never fit properly. So why bother? This not the military. This is a youth organization. You are a volunteer! Wear a class-b unit or BSA t-shirt proudly instead. If anyone complains that you are “out of uniform” then they don’t respect your volunteer time, efforts and talents.

iwearsassypants

1mo

Hey now, I’ve never seen a pregnant leader so no reference point for what’s expected. We won’t have class b shirts available for our pack until after recruitment but I’m looking for some other fun shirts!

Specialist-Risk-5004

Den Leader

1mo

Personally, I think the open shirt over a plain shirt would be fine. Do your best.

jesqrd

1mo

I would get a cub scout t-shirt on Amazon and pair it with a cardigan or something... For recruiting something like this would be cute Womens Officially Licensed Ask Me About Joining Cub Scouts V-Neck T-Shirt https://a.co/d/3xV81u0

Also, the fit of the uniform shirt is very uncomfortable for me - the collar especially so I usually go this route for stuff with our Den

broderboy

ACM, Eagle

1mo

Regardless of what you choose, it sounds like you are trying hard to “do your best” and that what counts

Quiet-Bubbles

1mo

I accidentally bought one size down and already put all my patches on. Since I'm with Cub Scouts, I wear it open over a blue long sleeve top. Not proper, but it works.

iwearsassypants

1mo

A scout is thrifty after all!

FunWithFractals

Den Leader

1mo

Yeah I totally just ditched the uniform shirt when I was pregnant. Class B shirt if you can. Maybe a hat or something.

You're pregnant, give yourself a break.

LaLechuzaVerde

1mo

What is Campus Captain?

iwearsassypants

1mo

In our council it’s the person responsible for coordinating recruitment efforts at each elementary school campus. Our pack recruits from 3 campuses and since our school district has meet the teachers/open houses on the same night for all elementary schools, we divide and conquer. It’s supposed to be someone who has a kid at that school so there’s hopefully a more personal relationship than some random person emailing the principal asking to set up a table, looking to reserve space for a JSN, etc.

LaLechuzaVerde

1mo

Ah! That helps. So yours is a very public facing role.

I think I’d check with the Council office and ask if they have any extra Scout branded t-shirts or, better yet, knit polos that might work for you.

For a Pack facing position I’d go with the open uniform over a maternity T, but I think for the school events a polo would look sharp stretched over that gorgeous pre-Cub Scout belly. :) Your Council may even have custom ones they use for their employees.

iwearsassypants

1mo

Yep, very much facing the public and potential families!! At least during recruitment in August and early September. We do rely on our feeder troops to come help out so us parents can go actually meet the teachers, but I’ll still be there for kinder camp, etc. Conceptually I really do love the idea of using a regular t-shirt or polo that’s just a couple of sizes up, but this is #6 and I know in the last month those don’t fit me in any (modest) way. I think I’m going to have to go the custom maternity shirt route. Luckily I know some people who can make a couple, or I can just use iron ons, and there have been so many fun ideas on what they can say! Gosh I wish the scout shop had a couple of maternity tee designs, that would be much easier. :)

LaLechuzaVerde

1mo

It wouldn’t kill them to come up with some kind of maternity uniform would it? 😝

iwearsassypants

1mo

Or just slap the existing designs on a maternity shirt! I want a whole future Cub Scout line though, from maternity to like 4T for siblings. Missing out on a corner of the market there!

tiktock34

1mo

Uniform police are ridiculous. You are a volunteer. You are volunteering your time WHILE you are pregnant. Anyone who even remotely has an issue with you wearing whatever is comfortable can step right up, temporarily assume your full responsibilities and they can wear whatever uniform they want. Thank them for offering…make them say they dont want to, then do what you want.

Your comfort and the kids having a den and a pack are far more important than what you are wearing while you do it. Boy scouts would have you paying $200 just to volunteer to be a leader if you followed all their rules. Be thrifty. Be brave.

iwearsassypants

1mo

There haven’t been any uniform police!! Just me not sure what to do and feeling very underdressed. :)

kecker

1mo

Cub Scouts has a general philosphy which I think applies here, "Do Your Best". When parents/leaders get stressed about things, I remind them that the motto applies to them too.

I'd give the same advice here.

hotdogbo

1mo

Question- I’m thinking of attending our district’s roundtable. What are folks wearing there?

iwearsassypants

1mo

Yesterday almost everyone was in the tan uniform shirt (which were decked to the nines!) but a couple of people were in general scout or pack/troop shirts. The guy who led a Dutch oven workshop had a cool apron with patches on it over a scout t-shirt. Very practical if you ask me. And there were a couple of newbies like me in everyday wear. So basically just I guess normal adult leader attire. Everyone was very friendly at our round table!! And the people who went to the Dutch oven breakout made delicious cobblers to share, so that was great. I’m in Austin so of course your mileage may vary but I would say a tan leader shirt would be fine based on what I saw.

twincubmama

1mo

Uniforms are not mandatory. Wear what you are comfortable in as long as it is scout appropriate, no one should complain. Oh, and congrats!

arthuruscg

1mo

Ditch the uniform and get a yellow shirt with the Cub scout logo on the belly.

El-Jefe-Rojo

1mo

Find a standard sized (aka plump) male leader and borrow theirs.