As I look through Pathfinder pictures being sent on the internet I notice once againhow thinking about the origins of the scarf and when it became a part of the uniform.
For a number of years we have had, on display in the museum, a MV Sash that is still in the original wrapper that is labeled as a scarf. What? I think to myself, must be a misprint. But then as I did further research through the JMV and Master Comrade Manuals I discover that indeed the Sash was called a Scarf in 1929.
Being inquisitive I looked up the word “Scarf” in an old Webster’s Dictionary. I find this definition: “a square of cloth worn about the neck. An official sash denoting rank”.It seems that in earlier days before most of us were born the words sash and scarf were interchangeable. A later edition of Webster’s Dictionary I find a different definition “a light article of dress worn loosely about the shoulders or about the neck.”
It was not until the 1937 manuals that I discovered the scarf being called a neckerchief and the sash a vocational honor sash. So back to the dictionary and I find this definition for the neckerchief, “a kerchief for the neck.”That led me to look up the word Kerchief. The definition was listed as, “a square of fabric used to cover the head or neck”. So Like many words in the English language (maybe other languages too) the meanings changed through the years.
Back to our MV/JMV scarf and why it has become so important a symbol in Pathfinder Ministry. I am certain there are a number of reasons one being that the scarf is worn even when there are no other uniform parts in sight. It may well be the only uniform part that some individuals own and wear as a part of belonging to the Pathfinder Ministry.
Originally the neckerchief or scarf was worn over the shirt, blouseor jacket like a finishing touch, a sign of achievement, of belonging. The scarves were made 32” square and had a number of uses including as a sling for emergency first aid.
I well remember receiving, at Investiture, my scarf for Friend, which at the time I was invested in the 1950’s was blue. My slide was also blue and I wore them with pride as it showed that I had completed the Friend Class work (Investiture Achievement) and had been recognized as having finished that step in the ladder of learning. I had reached my 5th grade goal and had been rewarded.
Nothing was ever to be placed over the scarf, not a collar, not a camera strap, nothing. The scarf was always kept clean and neatly ironed; yes I ironed my scarf after washing it! A wrinkled scarf was considered disrespectful to the level one had achieved.
In many countries the scarf is worn as part of the official Dress Uniform but also worn over one’s field uniform shirt. It is awesome to attend a camporee in Inter or South America and see the thousands of Pathfinders and staff proudly wearing their scarves as a sign of belonging. In a special ceremony the scarf is taken off and held aloft as a sign of honor to the individuals that are walking or riding past the group.
Speaking of scarves, after attending the October 2018 Chosen International Board Meeting, my interest was piqued to see and hear Gene Clapp, coordinator for Special Events at the 2019 Camporee explain about the “largest scarf” event. The record is now held by Boy Scouts and is 16,000 square feet in size. The Master Guide Scarf would be 22,250 square feet with insignia and a slide in proportion! That will be one huge scarf and slide! Wonder where we can exhibit that in the Pathfinder Museum?
Back to the history of the scarf, after 1937 the neckerchief (scarf) was worn, Blue for Friend and Red for Companions and of course the Master Comrades wore their yellow/gold colored scarf. The investiture ceremonies became not only an important milestone in the lives of young people but also a very colorful one.
The Atlantic Union Gleaner, June 15, 1938, p 6 had the following: Youth – Junior – CampMeeting: Just 2 more weeks and all roads will lean to Union Springs for Camp Meeting. I recall the excellent showing our young people had last year, and I am sure you are planning to come this year… Bring your M. V. uniform along, also your sash and neckerchief. You will need these on Missionary Volunteer Day. (Remember this is before Pathfinders became official in 1950)
The Lake Union Herald, May 28, 1940, p.8 reported. …A colorful feature of the service was the awarding of Vocational Honor tokens. To the 17 Master Comrades, the College Missionary Volunteer Society and the Lake Union Conference presented Master Comrade Neckerchiefs… Credit for sponsoring the Master Comrade class goes to Arthur Hicks.
The North Pacific Union Gleaner, June 3, 1941 Auburn Academy Investiture. “After months of study and work in preparation for the day of Investiture, a large group gathered on the platform of the chapel at Auburn Academy the last Sabbath before school closed. Fourteen Master Comrades, Twelve Companions and ten Friends received their pins.” It would have been a very colorful service indeed.
The 1944 Junior Handbook, p. 29, shows a drawing of the official M. V. Uniform, which was later adopted by Pathfinder Ministry. The scarf and sash are shown as well as the regulation tie, belt and hat. This is what is called the Dress Uniform.
The 1945 Junior Handbook shows drawings of the ladies and men’s uniforms. Remember it was Missionary Volunteers at that time not yet Pathfinder’s worldwide. The ladies uniform was a forest green dress with belt of the same material, and the overseas cap, tie and shoes. Men wore the forest green cotton or wool overseas cap, olive-green broadcloth shirt, forest green twill cotton or wool slacks a forest green web blet with brass buckle, a four-in-hand black tie, black or brown shoes as designated by the society. If a jacket was chosen it was to be forest green twill or wool. (it was mentioned that wool was listed especially for Master Comrades and Missionary Volunteer secretaries-(Directors) On page 34 it states that the “sash should be under the neckerchief.”
In recent years the Scarf has become a symbol of leadership, mentoring and belonging. It is with a good pride that the young people who wear the scarf live their lives that others may know the Lord of their lives. Pathfinders must always remember that they are representing Christ and their actions and activities, like the scarf, must show their allegiance to the Creator.
I wear my Master Guide Scarf with a feeling of completeness… Knowing I have completed the course and will always be learning, attending Continuing Education seminars and doing my best to keep up to date with what the General Conference and the Division has outlined for us to follow.
I remember my Master Guide Investiture – my sister Delia and I had attended seminars and Pathfinder Conventions, finished the reading and earned honors to prepare for Investiture. It was with sadness that I was invested alone after her untimely death in 1970. I always felt I wouldn’t have finished in such a timely fashion if she had not been there encouraging me. I was happy to have our County Coordinator Howard Juhl give me my scarf. Howard who was a great mentor and friend is resting now until resurrection day. It was our club director Dale Alexander that pinned the Master Guide Pin, Dale though young in age had the maturity and qualifications of a good leader. I am happy to say that he is now my nephew as he married my niece Debbi back in 1977. My sister Delia would have been happy to know that her eldest and her husband are still involved in youth ministry!
The scarf I currently wear is not the one I was invested in, that scarf is part of the museum displays. When I had completed the Voyager I received an updated scarf. That scarf was given as a trade for the scarf and slide from Peru that I now wear. Though it is a different scarf it holds the same meaning to me, the final touch in my dress uniform.
Special thanks to Ted Burgdorff, Historian Ministry Coordinator for the Georgia-Cumberland Conference, for sharing his research on the Scarf.
A beautiful display of the scarf history will be shared in the Adventist Youth Ministries Museum – A Discovery and Learning Center that is to be built in Battle Creek, Michigan.
