New Member Necklaces and Vests
Claw Necklaces
Upon joining a tribe, each father/son new member will be given a leather necklace on which is strung their first bear claw, the "Starter Claw," to welcome them into the program. Throughout the course of the program, they will then continue to earn additional bear claws for additional achievements. (See the full list of bear claws available to be earned here).
Tribe Vests
Each new father/son member will also need to purchase vests for themselves in the style/color determined by their tribe, as indicated below. Patches are created for each event the Nation organizes and given to the fathers/sons in attendance. The patches are to be affixed onto their tribe vests. The more events you attend, the more patches you will have to place on your vest. Below is a list of vendors from which new members of each respective tribe should purchase their tribe vests.
The Nez Perce Tribe - www.CraftKits.com
Vests for the Nez Perce tribe should be purchased from CraftKits (https://www.craftkits.com/product-category/store/vests/). You should purchase "CAMEL" colored vests, and select "READY MADE" as the type of vest. The vests tend to run small, and during the winter campouts and other winter events, we often wear them over our coats, so having them larger is better. For the adult vests for the dads, you are encouraged to purchase a vest that is at least one size up from what you might otherwise consider to be a correct fit. Most fathers in this tribe purchase an "ADULT SIZE EXTRA LARGE 46-48" sized vest for themselves. For the child vest, purchase a vest that is large enough so that it still fits in 5th/6th grade. Most fathers purchase a child "SIZE 12" for their sons, knowing it will be big on their sons in K/1st grades, and that their son will grow into it by 4th/5th/6th grade.
The Cherokee Tribe - Cathy Schroeder
Vests for the Cherokee tribe should be purchased from Cathy Schroeder in Arlington Heights (cathyschroeder58@gmail.com). For the child vest, purchase a vest that is large enough so that it still fits in 5th/6th grade. Most fathers purchase slightly larger vest for their sons, knowing it will be big on their sons in K/1st grades, and that their son will grow into it by 4th/5th/6th grade. And for a small additional cost, Ms. Schroeder also offers to sew your event patches onto your vest.
The Black Bear Tribe - www.ThePatchStore.com
Vests for the Black Bear tribe should be purchased from The PatchStore (https://www.thepatchstore.com/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=40&idcategory=). You should purchase "Desert Tan" colored cloth vests. The vests tend to run small, and during the winter campouts and other winter events, we often wear them over our coats, so having them larger is better. For the child vest, purchase a vest that is large enough so that it still fits in 5th/6th grade.