Costs

2025 Cost Summary

• $165 national membership fee annually

  • Optional Scout Life magazine subscription is $15 per year

• $320 in activity dues annually

• Uniform costs are approximately $150

• Scholarships available! 

Read on for details

New Scouts and Transfers

New youth must register online or via paper forms. Transfers can use the online form to complete the transfer or may submit their membership number, name, and birth date to Scoutmaster to be transferred into the unit. 

New or transferring scouts without a handbook, neckerchief, slide, unit numbers, and shoulder loops can pay a $60 new member fee for the unit to provide all of these materials for the scout. If your scout only needs a portion of those supplies, they may buy them individually at the Occoneechee Council Scout Shop (off Atlantic Avenue, in Raleigh).

Activity Dues (see below) begin to accrue for whole months after the scout becomes a member of the Troop. 

See Join Now for more detailed instructions.

National Membership Fee

Scouting America and our local council collect an annual membership and council fee, currently $165 per year. For scouts registered before August 2023, the fee will be collected annually by Dec 31st. For scouts registered after August 2023, fees will be collected annually on their joining anniversary. Fees are collected directly by Scouting America. 

There are scholarships available from the Occoneechee Friends of Scouting. See Scout Fund Assistance Explanation for an explanation on how the program works. If interested, please complete the Application for Scout Fund Assistance and submit to the Scoutmaster or Committee Chair.

Uniforms

Scouts are expected to wear the official Scouts BSA uniform top and as much of the uniform as possible. Uniforms are worn at weekly meetings in addition to travel to and from unit outings. Uniforms are also worn at other special events and activities - the scout leadership and Scoutmasters will inform scouts when uniforms are expected.

Uniforms can be purchased locally at the Occoneechee Council Scout Shop (off Atlantic Avenue, in Raleigh) or online at National Scout Shop.

Similar to national and council fees, scholarships are available for portions of uniform from the Occoneechee Friends of Scouting. See Scout Fund Assistance Explanation for an explanation on how the program works. If interested, please complete the Application for Scout Fund Assistance and submit to the Scoutmaster or Committee Chair.

Scout Dues

Troop 236 collects annual dues for materials and activities of $320 per year per scout, payable quarterly in March, June, September, and December. Dues are collected to cover 

• merit badges

• advancement

• monthly outings site fees for basic camping; additional fees are collected for special outings

• monthly outing food

Activity Fees do not include Summer Camp expenses. Families will be notified ahead of time if there are any activities that have additional registration or other costs and those fees will be collected in advance of the activity. 

Unit scholarships are available from the Dan Wilkinson Fund if you are unable to fully cover your scouts dues or other costs. See our Treasurer for more information. There is an online scholarship form on our Policies and Forms page.

Scout Life Magazine Subscription

An additional $15 per scout will be charged by BSA annually for any Scout who wishes to subscribe to Scout’s Life magazine. You may add or remove your subscription when you complete our annual membership renewal. You may also sign up online at https://scoutlife.org/. 

Fundraising

Our unit tries to reduce the cost of scouting activities for scouts by hosting at least one fundraiser each year. Typically our BBQ plate sale in the fall helps to reduce scout dues or help scouts raise money for summer camp. See the following section on Scout Accounts for more information.

Scout Accounts

The annual fundraiser and any other Troop sponsored fundraising activities are opportunities for Scouts to lessen their personal financial burden and help the Troop. The proceeds from any fundraising activity by the Troop will be divided between the Troop and the Scout according to the definition set by the Treasurer with approval from the Committee based on the fundraiser. The Scout’s portion of the fundraising is called Scout Account. Scout Accounts can be used to pay quarterly dues and fees and any additional activity fees. 

Delinquency 

Scouts who are delinquent in their dues and fees may not be permitted to participate in troop outings. Active participation is generally a requirement for rank advancement. Our troop makes every effort to have a balanced program, which includes a variety of activities, at varying costs. However, no Scout should be prevented from participating for financial reasons. Financial assistance may be available for families who experience financial difficulty.

Financial Assistance

There are scholarships available for national and council membership fees and uniform costs from the Occoneechee Friends of Scouting. See Scout Fund Assistance Explanation for an explanation on how the program works. If interested, please complete the Application for Scout Fund Assistance and submit to the Scoutmaster or Committee Chair.

Also, scouts with Wellcare can request a form from their insurer for a discount covering annual registration fees. See your insurance provider for more details. Once form is completed, submit to Scoutmaster or Committee Chair.

There are unit scholarships available from the Dan Wilkinson Fund if you are unable to fully cover your scouts dues or other unit level costs. See our Treasurer for more information. There is an online scholarship form on our Policies and Forms page.

Inactive Scouts

Understanding that there are times when a Scout may have competing priorities or activities that preclude active participation in the Troop, a Scout may elect to remain registered with the Troop in an Inactive status. Inactive Scouts do not accrue time toward rank advancement and will not be permitted to participate in Troop activities until they formally change their status. Inactive Scouts are also not assessed quarterly dues and fees. Scouts who become delinquent in their Dues and Fees and are not routinely in attendance at weekly Troop meetings may be moved to Inactive status. Any Scout who wishes to remain registered with the Troop in an Inactive status will be assessed Membership Dues of $165 annually. Contact the Scoutmaster or Committee Chairman to formally change your status. 

Leaders and Registered Adults

To participate as a scoutmaster, assistant scoutmaster, registered committee member, or other adult position, adults must be registered with the unit and complete youth protection training annually. Annual registration costs are $91. 

Unit Scouter Reserve

Scouters registered using this position code will be assessed Membership Dues of $91 just like other leaders. A Scouter in this position is encouraged to participate in any monthly activity their schedule permits. Prior to participating, they should contact the Scoutmaster or Outing Coordinator to determine any fees that may be due for that specific outing and will be required to have unexpired Youth Protection Training.