Scouting continues to make a positive impact on the lives of our youth members and that positive impact can only be made when we extend an invitation to join Scouting to those who are not currently members. It is important that we all reach out to Scouting families who might have left the program and invite them back and think about how to invite new families to join.

The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) has worked to keep the membership fee as low as possible. Unfortunately, operating costs have continued to rise, and the annual fee must be increased to help deliver a safe and quality Scouting program.

To ensure we have the resources to fulfill the promise of Scouting, the updated national membership fee structure will be:

• $75 for Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, and Venturing participants
• $45 for Exploring participants
• $45 for all adult volunteers (includes cost of background check)
• $100 for a unit charter/affiliation fee
• $25 one-time joining fee for new program participants in Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, and Venturing Participants
• $16.44 for Scout Life magazine; this includes required state tax

The membership fees will take effect August 1, 2022, for new members in the 2022-2023 program year. For renewing members, the new fee will take effect on January 1, 2023, and should be collected during the upcoming unit membership renewal process.

The one-time $25 joining fee for new program participants in Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, and Venturing participants is still required; however, there is no joining fee for Exploring participants, participants previously registered in any BSA program, those transferring from one program to another, or adult volunteers.

The national membership fee helps pay for the cost of essential services, including program resources, liability insurance for those participating in approved Scouting activities, criminal background checks, youth protection training and other local Council resources.

To help your Scouting families, the council has a limited amount of funds available to assist with registration for Fall recruitment and for 2023 Unit Membership Renewal. There is a Registration Assistance Request Form that would need to be completed by the Scout family and the Unit Leader requesting a portion of the registration fee to be paid. This form would then be submitted to the Council as directed for review and approval. To obtain this form or additional information, please contact the council office.

Scouting continues to be a vital partner for communities across the country in helping to grow young leaders and good citizens. We know that Scouting remains one of the most valuable investments we can make in young men and women today who in turn will pay it forward tomorrow.