Membership Fees

LAST REVIEWED 06/04/2025

While costs on many goods and services continue to rise, the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) has worked hard to keep membership fees as low as possible. These are the current fees as of July 1, 2024. Fees are typically updated annually on July 1.

Currently, the annual membership fee for Cub Scout Pack 137 is $220 ($168 for Lions, who are in Kindergarten). Any member joining after August 1, 2023, will have their membership fee due on their Anniversary Date (the day they joined). For all others, fees are due in November. Pack 137 pays the membership fee of $80 for registered adults that meet our minimum participation requirements.

COST OFFSET AND SCHOLARSHIP OPTIONS

There are options available to help offset these costs, including self-help options (e.g. fundraising or new volunteer leader registration) and membership scholarships (see details below). Our Pack's major fundraiser is our Annual Popcorn Fundraiser, where many families that participate are able to fund their child's dues and some are able to even fund a week at Summer Camp! This is through our Paw Points Program.

ADJUSTED FEE STRUCTURE FOR FAMILIES WITH 3 OR MORE CHILDREN

Families with three or more children in Scouting will only need to pay the $52 Monmouth Council Service Fee for two children. For the third and any additional children, this fee is waived.

FOR EXAMPLE, IN A FAMILY WITH 4 CHILDREN JOINING CUB SCOUTS:

• The first two children will each pay $220, totaling $440.

• The next two children will each pay $168, totaling $336.

So, the total cost for the family would be $776 instead of the full amount of $880 without the discount.

HOW MEMBERSHIP FEES ARE CALCULATED

Here’s a breakdown of how the $220 youth membership fee ($168 for Lions) is calculated for Cub Scouts:.

1. $85 – National youth registration fee

2. $15 – Subscription to Scout Life magazine

3. $67 ($15 for Lions) – Local Council Fees, including:

   • $52 – Local Council Service Fee (waived for Lions and the third child in a family)

   • $15 – Local Council Insurance Fee

4. $53 – Pack 137 dues*

*Our Arrow of Light Scout Pack dues help support the annual Blue & Gold Banquet, where they are the guests of honor as they Crossover to their respective Troops. AOL Scouts also play a key role in selecting the theme and decorations for this special event.

WHAT YOUR MEMBERSHIP FEES & DUES PROVIDE

Scouting is a year-round program, unlike many other extracurricular activities.

Your membership fees help support the following:

• Campground & Venue Fees

• Advancement, Awards & Trophies

• Food & Snacks

• Pack 137 equipment (Pinewood Derby Track, electronics, public address system, camping gear, and special event equipment)

• Monmouth Council's Quail Hill Scout Reservation and Forestburg Scout Reservation Operations and Improvements

• Council, District, and Pack Programs (e.g., Pack meetings, Pinewood Derby, Cubtoberfest, Family Camp)

• Background Checks for All Adult Leaders

• Youth Protection and Safety Training

• Program Development and Leader Training Resources

• IT/Digital Services (e.g., Scoutbook for tracking Scout participation and rank advancement, Unit website, etc...)

• Pack 137 Leader Registration Fees ($80 per leader, $65 National Fee and $15 Council Insurance Fee)

• $100 – Pack 137 Charter/Affiliation Fees (includes Unit Liability Insurance Fee)

COST OFFSET OPTIONS & ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

To help make Scouting more affordable, we offer the following options:

1. FUNDRAISING

Our fundraising initiatives can significantly offset the costs of Scouting fees. Many of our Cub Scouts are able to fund their dues and some are even able to fund a week at summer camp through these initiatives and our Paw Points Program. Participation in these activities helps both individual families and the Pack.

2. NEW SCOUT WITH NEW PARENT VOLUNTEER DISCOUNT

Families registering a new Cub Scout along with one new adult volunteer only pay $88 for the Cub Scout’s first year, thanks to the following first-year discounts:

2. • The $52 Council Service Fee (CSF) is waived for all ranks except Lions (CSF does not apply to Lions).

   • The $80 adult volunteer registration fee is waived by Council when a new adult registers alongside their child, and neither has been previously registered.

Our Pack normally pays the $80 Leader registration fee for adults who meet our minimum participation requirements. In this case, we apply that waived $80 fee toward the Scout’s registration, resulting in the following total owed:

• Lions: Normally $168 – $80 (Adult Registration Fee) = $88

• Other ranks: Normally $220 – $52 (CSF) – $80 (Adult Registration Fee) = $88

Note: This discount applies on a 1:1 basis — one new Scout with one new adult volunteer who meets the Pack's minimum participation requirements.

3. MEMBERSHIP SCHOLARSHIPS

Families in need of financial assistance can apply for up to $177 per Scout through our Council's Membership Scholarships.
For more information or to apply visit the following:

• Service Fee Assistance

• Family Assistance

Scouting is committed to supporting families who may face obstacles to participation. We believe that all youth deserve the opportunity to benefit from the values and experiences that Scouting offers. If your family is facing challenges, please reach out — we’re happy to work with you to find a solution.

Yours in Scouting,

Pack 137’s Leaders