Membership Fees

The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) has worked to keep the membership fee as low as possible. As you know, costs continue to rise, and the annual fee must be increased to address the fiscal realities we face to deliver a safe and quality Scouting program.

To ensure we have the resources to fulfill the promise of Scouting, the following national membership fee structure will take effect August 1, 2022.

  • $75 for Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturing and Sea Scouts participants
  • $45 for Exploring participants
  • $30 for council-paid memberships
  • $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, Venturing and Sea Scouts (Not pro-rated)
  • $15 for Scout Life magazine; this is the first price increase since 2005

The national membership fee helps cover the cost of essential services, including program resources, liability insurance for those participating in approved Scouting activities, criminal background checks, youth protection, and the development of intellectual property for national, council, and unit programs. As we move forward, we will continue to look at the membership fee structure and how we deliver the Scouting program for future generations.

See an infographic explaining these updates.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How much of the National Fee stays with the Central Georgia Council?

A: None of it – 100% of the money your unit turns in for new members and recharter goes directly to the National office. In fact, though the National office allows it, the Central Georgia Council has never chosen to add on its own fees in addition to the National ones. Our staff and outstanding teams of volunteers raise necessary funds through the generous contributions of our community via donations, grants, and fundraising all year long. It is their efforts and yours – through selling Popocorn, Camp Cards, and your unit’s participation in Friends of Scouting campaigns – that make Scouting the most affordable youth activity in our area.

Q: Why are the fees increasing?

A: The national annual membership fee is increasing by $6, about 50 cents per month because the costs associated with Scouting, including the cost of liability insurance, continue to increase and the organization is not able to subsidize the increased costs as it had in the past.

Q: When will this increase take effect?

A: The updated membership fees will take effect August 1, 2021, for new members in the 2021-2022 program year.

Q Is Scouting still a good value?

A: Absolutely! While most extracurricular activities are seasonal, Scouting is a year-round program that remains one of the most valuable investments we can make to support young men and women today so they can become the leaders we will turn to tomorrow. For most of our participants, the new national membership fee amounts to $6.00 a month, which is an enormous value when you consider that many seasonal extracurricular activities often start at $100 for programs that last a few weeks.

Q: Does the fee increase apply to the council-paid memberships of the Scoutreach program?

A: Council-paid memberships will not change for youth members of Scoutreach, the in-school and after-school programs designed for low-income communities.