Dues and Fees

Costs

The financial commitment to scouting is similar to other youth activities. Scout families pay the following annually. See details in the sections below.

• $165 (2024-25) in annual membership fees to Scouting America covering national and regional fees. Financial assistance available. See section below.

• $80 (2024-25 estimate) in annual dues to Pack 236

Other costs include

• uniform shirt, required patches, and belt - see Uniforms for more details; costs approximately $50, but used uniforms and financial assistance is available

• occasional activity or outing fees

• food costs for camping trips or outings; typically around $12 per person for food for a weekend

• optional Scout Life Magazine Subscription
   ℹ️  Scouts can choose to add a subscription to Scout Life magazine during both initial registration and annually. It is $15 per year. The magazine is a fun read for kids, but it is not required. You can subscribe online.

Membership Fees

2024-25 Membership fee: $165

All scouts must maintain membership with Scouting America to participate in activities. These fees are collected annually and paid directly to Scouting America. 

For scouts that joined prior to August 2023, your membership fees will be collected in December each year. All other scouts, your membership fees will be collected annually on the month of joining. See Membership Renewal for information on how to renew.

Membership fees support the national organization, material development, local council organization, local council facilities including camps.

Financial assistance is available; see section below for additional information.

Dues

2024-25 Dues: $80. Payment can be made in full or in two equal payments of $40.

All scouts in our pack pay annual dues and are encouraged to participate in fundraising. Dues includes the following benefits. 

• Den neckerchief and slide (~$21)

• Adventure pin holders for Webelos/Arrow of Light scouts (~$8)

• Program awards and advancements (~$30)

• Pinewood derby kit (~$7)

• Pack T-Shirt (~$15)

Dues do not include items like the following, although our fundraising is sometimes able to offset costs for special outings.

• Annual membership

• Uniforms (shirt, belt, required patches, or other optional items), although financial assistance is available

• Den handbooks, as materials are mostly online. Physical books can optionally be purchased at local scout shop.

• Camping fees, typically only district/council events charge fees)Food costs for camping, usually around $12 per person

• Special outings with entrance fees or high per-participant costs - fundraising may cover a portion of these costs

When to Pay Dues?

Please pay the first dues payment within 30 days of registration or by end of September. After this time period, please add a $10 late fee. Please pay dues online (see big blue button below). If unable, please remit to the Treasurer payment by cash, check (Cub Scout Pack 236), or credit card. Please ensure you received a receipt.  

The second dues payment will be due in December/January.

If you are unable to pay within the allotted time, please discuss with the Treasurer - alternative payment arrangements and scholarships are available.

Pack Budget

A scout is thrifty. The pack committee does their best to be good financial stewards while providing a great program to the scouts in our unit. 

Our budget includes a per scout cost that is covered by dues. Our budget also includes unit program costs that are covered by fundraising. Our inability to fundraise may affect what programs our unit budget can cover.

For more details, see the Cubmaster or Treasurer.

Fundraising and Popcorn 

Our pack participates in the BSA annual popcorn fundraiser, selling Trails End popcorn. The fundraiser occurs in the fall beginning mid-September and wraps up by November. Popcorn is usually available around Thanksgiving. 

Our pack earns 30% on all popcorn sold. Money raised during our popcorn fundraiser covers our unit program cost budget to provide a more enriched program throughout the year without as much of a monetary burden on the pack families. 

We try to arrange  a special outing each spring and/or summer. Any excess popcorn income above standard operating costs is used to subsidize these trips. We’ve gone on trips to USS Yorktown near Charleston to sleep on the aircraft carrier and we’ve slept overnight with the fishes at the NC Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores.

See more information about fundraising on the Popcorn page.

Financial Assistance

Financial assistance for national and council membership fees are available from Occoneechee Council Scout Fund. The scout fund can also assist with uniform costs. The pack expects scouts to commit to sell around $600 of popcorn, which is typically gained by committing to 3-4 show and sell slots. Our unit dues are typically fairly low, so we are hoping that scouts can contribute at least this minimum amount.

If you decide you need this assistance, please fill out a printable assistance form and turn it into the Cubmaster or Committee Chair. You can find all assistance information and forms on our Forms page.

Scouts or leaders with WellCare Insurance may be able to regiser/renew annually for free with a voucher. See Forms for voucher link or contact your insurance provider for more information.