What to do with the Patches
In Cub Scouts you will receive a lot of “extra” patches that are not part of the normal uniform. These are usually a Council or District ran events. A Cub Scout can also wear one “temporary insignia patch” on his right pocket. This has to be an official BSA patch.
Other patches such as those earned by selling Popcorn or Scout Cards are non-BSA and should not be worn on the uniform. So what do you do with all those patches?
Most scouts will buy a red vest sold at the scout shop to place extra patches on. Another option is a patch blanket. As your scout grows he will be doing a lot of camping. What better way for him to remember all that he has accomplished than to sleep under a blanket full of memories. Some prefer to start a scrapbook to place not only all the patches in, but ticket stubs, brochures and also pictures of all his adventures. See details below for ideas.
Official Red Scout Vest aka Brag Vest
All other patches are to be sewn onto a red patch vest or blanket. This includes all Camporee, Day Camp, sporting events, derbies, pack outing, hiking, council sponsored event patches. Medals from derbies can also be pinned to the vest. The Red Scout Vest runs just under $10 (patches not included).
Official BSA Red Patch Blanket aka Memory Blanket
Same as a vest, only this serves and added purpose when your scout goes to resident camp or becomes a boy scout and starts camping on his/her own. Your scout will have the warmth of a blanket and the memories of scouting’s past. You can purchase a BSA scout blank from your local or online scout store or you can create your own. The BSA Red Patch Blanket runs just under $21 (patches not included).
Official Cub Scout Scrapbook
Your local or online scout store sells various varieties of scout scrapbooks and papers to get you started. Add patches, pictures, ticket stubs from sporting events and venues. Just be sure to get a binder big enough to hold all those patches! No two scrapbooks will be the same. The Cub Scout Scrapbook pictured runs just under $30 and specialty papers are only 49 cents each.