National Membership Fee

Overview

For more than 100 years, Scouting has helped build future leaders by combining educational activities and lifelong values with fun and adventure in the outdoors. We care passionately about what is happening to Scouts and our communities – and are dedicated to supporting an exciting, quality program that builds better young people and our future leaders.

As we continue the Scouting mission, it is important that we keep pace with an ever-changing world. To ensure Scouting has the resources to support our mission, National BSA has decided to change the National Annual Membership Fee.

In addition to the new fees, the BSA will no longer prorate fees for new members. All new youth and adult members will pay the full annual membership for a 12-month membership cycle and will renew their membership on their anniversary date of joining Scouting. Existing members will renew their membership during their normal registration/recharter cycle through March 2024. Moving forward all members will renew on their anniversary date.

The national membership fee helps cover the cost of essential services to the local council and units. Services include expanded liability insurance for those participating in approved Scouting activities, enhanced criminal background checks, a variety of program resources, youth protection and leader-specific training, and the development of intellectual property for national, council, and unit programs. As BSA moves forward, the organization will continue to look at the membership fee structure and how we deliver the Scouting program for future generations.

Across the country and in each of our communities, we know that Scouting remains one of the most valuable investments we can make in youth today so they can become the leaders we will turn to tomorrow. Our dedicated volunteers, staff, and Scouting families make this possible. Thank you for continuing to support one of the most valuable opportunities available to young people today.

Here are the new national 12-month fee amounts as of April 2024:

  • $85 for youth in Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturing, and Sea Scouting
  • $65 for adult volunteers
  • $50 for youth and adults in Exploring
  • $25 for merit badge counselors not otherwise registered
  • $100 for the unit charter fee
  • $15 for Scout Life magazine (optional)

As of April 2024, there is no longer a “New Member Joining Fee”. Youth and Adult fees are for 12 months from registration; the 12-month period for those registered before August of 2023 is the calendar year.

Absolutely! While most extracurricular activities are seasonal, Scouting is a year-round program and 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 youth members, the new registration fee amounts to $5 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.

For reference, the fees below are samples of other children’s programs in Metro-Atlanta.

  • 3 months of sports $165
  • 4 months of chess $240
  • 10 months of dance $700
  • 12 months of music lessons $1,800

It is also important to note that while there is an increase in the National BSA Annual Membership Fee, the remaining costs of Scouting should remain the same.

The Atlanta Area Council is committed to ensuring that all youth can experience the character-building benefits of Scouting regardless of their financial situation. Based on financial needs, registration assistance will be available. Please contact your District Professional for more information.

There are many benefits of Scouting: leadership training, character development, values-based learning, life and work skill training, the list goes on and on. The best way to sum it all up is that the Scouting ideals are found in the Scout Oath and Law. Individually, the words are simple, but collectively they become words to live by. These principles make Scouting more than what children do—but rather who they are—and what they will be. There is no other children’s program available that has the same impact as Scouting.