Membership Fees

As we are all too aware, costs on many daily goods and services continue to rise, the BSA has worked to keep its membership fee as low as possible. However, these and other pressures continue to have a negative impact on Scouting finances all the way down to local units like ours.  As a result of these pressures the National Scouts BSA annual membership fees have been increased to address the fiscal realities necessary to continue delivering a safe and quality Scouting program to youth like ours.  Currently youth membership for Cub Scouts is $220 annually for renewals, new members incur a $25 one-time joining fee, for a total of $245 for new members ($193 for Lions).  Any new member after 08/01/2023 dues are due on their Anniversary Date, the day they joined, all others are due in November.

There are options to offset these costs, including self help options and Membership Scholarships (see below for details).

The following national membership fee changes took effect August 1, 2023.  The bold items in yellow are the fees associated with Cub Scouting and are a part of the $220 youth membership fee, $245 for new members.

• $80 for Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturing and Sea Scouts participants ($5 increase)

• $45 for Exploring participants (no change in cost)

• $30 for council-paid memberships (no change in cost)

• $60 for all adult volunteers ($15 increase to provide general liability insurance and enhanced background checks) 

• $100 for a unit charter/affiliation fee ($25 increase)

• $25 one-time joining fee for new program participants in Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturing and Sea Scouts (Not pro-rated, no change in cost) 

• $15 for Scout Life magazine; this is the first price increase since 2005 ($3 increase)

• $67 ($15 for Lions) Local Council Fees Consisting of the Following

- $52 Local Council Service Fee (no change) - This fee is waived for Lions and for the 3rd or more child in a family.

- $15 Local Council Insurance Fee (no change)

As a result of these changes and Pack 137 finances, Pack 137 has had to raise our membership fees to $220 per Cub Scout ($10 increase), $245 for new members.  

OPTIONS TO OFFSET COSTS & ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE

There are three options to offset costs.  The first is to participate in our fundraising initiatives, another is for new Scouts and Volunteers, the last is through Membership Scholarships for any family requiring assistance.

1. Fundraising - We conduct fundraising initiatives that with a little effort can cover the costs of these fees and encourage families to participate to not only help themselves but also to help the Pack as well.

2. New Scout & Volunteer - If a new youth joins the Cub Scout program and a parent has opted to be a volunteer in the Unit, the following discounts will be applied for their initial year registered:

   • New Volunteering parents will have their adult $75 joining fees waived ($60 membership + $15 Insurance).

   • New Cub Scout will have their $52 Council Service fee waived.

3. Membership Scholarships (Service Fee Assistance & Family Assistance) - Through these programs families can apply for up to $177 per Scout in assistance.  Talk to the Cubmaster or Committee Chair for more information on Membership Scholarships.

WHAT YOUR MEMBERSHIP FEES PAY FOR

Unlike most extracurricular activities Scouting is year round, your membership fees provide this year round program.  Here are just some of the items your Membership fee is used for.

• Advancement, Awards & Trophies

• Pack Equipment - Like the Pinewood Derby Track and Electronics, Public Address System, Camping & Event Equipment, Special Programs and Community Service Projects  

• Our Council’s (Monmouth) Quail Hill Scout Reservation and Forestburg Scout Reservation operations and improvements.  These are campgrounds available to all of Monmouth Council's Units like ours.

• Council, District and Pack Programs - Like Pack Meetings, the Pinewood Derby, Cubtoberfest, Family Camp and more.

• Background checks for adult leaders

• Program development and training resources.

• Continuously updated youth protection and youth safety training

• Improved IT/digital experiences and services to councils nationwide - Including Scoutbook to track Scout participations and rank advancement.

• Liability insurance for members participating in approved Scouting activities

We appreciate your understanding as we work to provide your youth with the best possible program.

Yours in Scouting,

Pack 137’s Leaders