Many people collect BSA insignia such as camporee and jamboree emblems, council shoulder strips and historical badges.

Scouts generally wore knickers with leggings, a button-down choke-collar coat and the campaign hat.

In 1916, Congress banned civilians from wearing uniforms that were similar in appearance to those of the U.S. armed forces with the exception of the BSA.

The Improved Scouting Program in 1972 included a major overhaul of badges and other insignia, replacing many two-color patches with multicolor versions.

Also introduced was a red beret and a dark green shirt for "Leadership Corps" members (ages 14–15) in a Scout troop.

This was done to relate those older Boy Scouts to Explorers, which wore the same uniform shirt, but by the early 1980s, the red beret and the Leadership Corps concept had been discarded.

The Boy Scout uniform during the 1950s–1970s continued to have a monochrome light green (khaki-green) color for both shirts and shorts or trousers.

In 1980, a major change was made when a two-color uniform having a tan shirt with olive green shorts or trousers was introduced.

When Exploring was moved to Learning for Life in 1998, the new Venturing division used the spruce green shirt with charcoal gray pants.

To avoid confusion for active duty personnel, modifications were made such as wearing square knot insignia instead of ribbons, strips that read "SEA SCOUTS B.S.A.," silver brass instead of gold, and standard BSA insignia such as the WOSM crest, council shoulder patches, US Flag patches, etc.

Introduced on August 15, 2008, to have a more outdoors-activity oriented appearance, the Centennial Scout Uniform transitionally replaced the previous version designed by Oscar de la Renta.

Except as clearance items however, council and BSA stores was no longer selling the de la Renta uniform.

This was designed to allow Scouts and Scouters to place their personal cell phone or media player in that pocket.

The current version of the Centennial shirt is a khaki (officially referred by BSA as tan) button-front shirt with collar, bellowed pockets on the chest and closed with hook-and-loop closures, and shoulder epaulets with shoulder loops in the color of the individual's registration (see above).

Special neckerchiefs such as Eagle Scout or Wood Badge are generally worn on formal occasions.

Venturers may develop a unique crew emblem that, with approval from the Scout executive, may be worn on the right sleeve of the uniform.

[20] Sea Scout uniform components: Youth and adults may wear No.618625; black triangular design (unit option).

The current version consists of a dark-blue, two-button blazer with white shirt or blouse and heather gray trousers, slacks or a skirt.

[22] Various insignia are worn by Scouts and Scouters representing unit membership, activities, accomplishments, honors and training.

The patch must feature the full council name (no abbreviations, city or state can be substituted) and must be of one of four shapes shown in the guide.

These patches are not sold in the National Scout stores (online and brick-and-mortar) where the standard uniforms are purchased.

[6] Below the unit number, all members except Cub Scouts wear the badge of office such as Scoutmaster, Patrol Leader, etc.

[6] Other items that may be worn on the right sleeve include the Musician badge and National Honor Patrol stars.

Scouters that have completed the Powder Horn course wear their silver metallic emblem suspended from the left pocket button.

Scouts and leaders with tenure as Tiger Cubs prior to 2000 may wear a service star with an orange backing.

Scouts or Scouters that have participated or have been selected to attend a National or World Jamboree may wear the corresponding patch centered between the right pocket and the shoulder seam.

Female Cub Scout leaders may wear the temporary insignia centered between the BSA strip and the shoulder seam.

These insignia pieces are small cloth patches with an embroidered square knot or other emblem that represents the actual award.

The uniform is worn with the Wood Badge training hat, the neckerchief and with a woggle made during the opening sessions of the course.

These include: Non-official patches, badges, emblems, shoulder loops and other insignia are readily available from third-party suppliers.