Hiking and Camping are Part of our Monthly Activities
I'M THINKING OF JOINING SCOUTS...NOW WHAT?
Scouting is often described as "Fun with a Purpose". In terms of building character, leadership, and providing young men with an opportunity to experience and build skills, no other program comes close.
Our philosophy is that no boy should be excluded from participating in Scouting due to financial issues.
When we do fundraising as a Troop a MINIMUM of 80% of the fundraising goes directly to the boys’ Scout Bank Account based on level of participation. Boys who work and participate get the funds credited. Boys who choose not to participate are asked to pay for their expenses in cash.
Unlike other youth activities, where there is a flat fee that must be paid, scouts are encouraged to practice the tenet of the Scout Law that says "A Scout is Thrifty". Through participation in fundraising, or through work on their own, boys can offset a portion or even ALL of their registration and other fees. It is “pay as you go” but the Bank Fund raised directly by the Scout can be applied to any cost associated with Scouting, including Dues, Individual Scout Equipment (tents, uniforms, sleeping bag, backpack, etc), Monthly Camp, and Summer Camp.
COSTS
An Initial Equipment Assessment of $20 is payable upon joining. This covers items such as patches, bolo ties, epaulets, Scout badge and other Troop insignia, transfer fees, and part of the other costs we pay to council. New scouts are asked to pay $60, which is their intial fee plus 6 months of dues.
After initial assessment, annual dues of $80 are assessed twice yearly in $40 increments (in March and in September) for rechartering, shared Troop equipment purchase and maintenance, registration and training fees for adult leaders, purchase of rank and merit badges, and other consumables needed to run the Troop.
Other costs are estimate as:
$200 per year if a boy participates in weekend camping (10 months a year; this includes food)
$250 per year for participating in summer camp programs (approximately…not including transportation…depends where we elect to go)
In addition, purchasing items for uniforms and camping has an upfront cost of about $150 to $200 if a boy doesn't have access to a tent, sleeping back, pack, and other personal gear. These are not annual fees, but uniform items can become worn or outgrown.
However, even if you figure this as a total outlay per year with the boy participating in all events of about $500, it is still one of the most affordable youth activities. Compare this to a three month season of youth baseball or football, and compare the growth and learning that can occur. In that respect, Scouting becomes a huge bargain. Think of it as about $10 a week including all the outside activities. Or, about the price of 2 lattes at Starbucks.
Our philosophy is that no boy should be excluded from participating in Scouting due to financial issues.
When we do fundraising as a Troop a MINIMUM of 80% of the fundraising goes directly to the boys’ Scout Bank Account based on level of participation. Boys who work and participate get the funds credited. Boys who choose not to participate are asked to pay for their expenses in cash.
Unlike other youth activities, where there is a flat fee that must be paid, scouts are encouraged to practice the tenet of the Scout Law that says "A Scout is Thrifty". Through participation in fundraising, or through work on their own, boys can offset a portion or even ALL of their registration and other fees. It is “pay as you go” but the Bank Fund raised directly by the Scout can be applied to any cost associated with Scouting, including Dues, Individual Scout Equipment (tents, uniforms, sleeping bag, backpack, etc), Monthly Camp, and Summer Camp.
COSTS
An Initial Equipment Assessment of $20 is payable upon joining. This covers items such as patches, bolo ties, epaulets, Scout badge and other Troop insignia, transfer fees, and part of the other costs we pay to council. New scouts are asked to pay $60, which is their intial fee plus 6 months of dues.
After initial assessment, annual dues of $80 are assessed twice yearly in $40 increments (in March and in September) for rechartering, shared Troop equipment purchase and maintenance, registration and training fees for adult leaders, purchase of rank and merit badges, and other consumables needed to run the Troop.
Other costs are estimate as:
$200 per year if a boy participates in weekend camping (10 months a year; this includes food)
$250 per year for participating in summer camp programs (approximately…not including transportation…depends where we elect to go)
In addition, purchasing items for uniforms and camping has an upfront cost of about $150 to $200 if a boy doesn't have access to a tent, sleeping back, pack, and other personal gear. These are not annual fees, but uniform items can become worn or outgrown.
However, even if you figure this as a total outlay per year with the boy participating in all events of about $500, it is still one of the most affordable youth activities. Compare this to a three month season of youth baseball or football, and compare the growth and learning that can occur. In that respect, Scouting becomes a huge bargain. Think of it as about $10 a week including all the outside activities. Or, about the price of 2 lattes at Starbucks.
