There are many places where embroidered patches are used such as for identification purposes for sports teams or local clubs, decorating purposes in the case of motorcycle vests or for rewarding students who are successful. However, a number of people will also trade in them or collect them. You will see evidence of this in the Boy Scouts of America Organization. Boy Scouts have been collecting and trading embroidered patches and motorcycle patches for as long as they have been in existence. It’s a great way to meet new friends, remember local and regional events, and motivate individual scouts to achieve.
Collecting Boy Scout patches is so big that there are literally hundreds of websites dedicated to supporting the hobby. Every time scouts get together nationally or regionally, there will be a large section of the camp which is devoted to trading patches. Some of the events that the scouts attend will be organized around the patch trading. It is not only embroidered patches that the scouts will trade at these events; some of them trade in things like flags, coffee mugs, banners and sashes.
Different Types of Boy Scout Patches
Within the world of collectors, there are three main categories of Boy Scout patches. The first kind are the achievement patches. These are given to the scouts when they earn special awards or merit badges. Most patch collectors will have a keen interest in the old merit badges that are not made anymore. These vintage merit patches are highly sought after among older patch collectors because they bring back fond memories of when they were scouts themselves.
The event patch is the second type of patch. For example, a local council may have a wintertime activity called the Klondike Derby. An event like that will have a new patch every year. You may also find that there are Jamborees which are run statewide, nationally or regionally. You will find that there will be special merchandise for events like this including the embroidered patch, t-shirts and baseball caps for example. You will also come across special events organized at national as well as local levels such as gatherings like Order of the Arrow.
Third, there are patches for specific locations of interest in Scouting. One prime example is a New Mexico camp known as Philmont Boy Scout Ranch. Philmont is a high adventure camp consisting of hundreds of thousands of acres near the town of Cimarron. Any scout who completes one of the vigorous programs at Philmont will be awarded with a special patch of recognition and these patches are extremely valuable to scouts.
You Can Collect Embroidered Patches
Since the early days of Baden Powell’s first scouting troops in the UK, patches have been a part of their culture. In the beginning, patches would denote rank and they were also awarded to those who had achieved certain things but these days there is much more to them. Those who are members of the Boy Scouts organization should really consider collecting patches and trading them with other scouts.
If you’re not a Boy Scout, collecting patches of all varieties is still a wonderful pastime. You can find embroidered patches at craft stores, sports and collectible outlets, and even through local youth groups and church organizations. You just need a few patches to get started and a desire to get out there collecting more.
