Dues and Fundraising

Scouting, like most extracurricular activities, costs money.  We strive to keep our dues as low as possible while still providing the best experience we can.  After all, a scout is thrifty.

Dues

How much are they?

BSA Membership dues are $85.  

Our 2024 pack dues are $115. 

If your scout is interested, you can include an annual subscription to Scout Life magazine for $15.

When are they collected?

BSA Membership dues are paid on the anniversary of your joining date.  For example, if you join in August 2024 your next BSA membership dues are due in at the end of July 2025.

Pack dues are collected annually in the November or December pack meetings. Our dues cover a full calendar year, so dues collected at the end of the year (ex. December 2024) cover dues for the following year (ex. Jan - Dec 2025).  If you join our pack in the middle of the year you'll pay when you join.  That amount will be prorated for the months remaining in the current year.  For example, if you join in August 2024, you'll owe dues for August through December of 2024.

What do they cover?

Our dues cover 2 big things:  

1. Scouts, BSA dues, which are sometimes referred to as "national" dues.  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.

2. Pack dues.  These cover the actual costs of your scout participating in the program.  They pay for things like:

   • Awards and patches

   • Pack 296 Activity Uniform (Class B) shirt

   • Neckerchief and slide when you advance to the next rank

   • Raingutter Regatta and Pinewood Derby kits

   • Den/Pack meeting supplies

   • Various pack supplies, such as camp cooking equipment, pack flags, etc.

What isn't covered?

Although our dues cover a lot, not everything is covered.  

• Class 'A' or dress uniform*

• Handbooks

• Entry fees for outings.  We realize that not all scouts will be able to come to all events.  Therefore, these are a-la-carte.

• Meals on campouts

Popcorn Fundraiser

Our pack sells popcorn through Trails End, usually August through October.   Proceeds from these sales contribute to keeping our dues as low as possible.

Why We Sell

Popcorn sales are the pack’s main source of income for the year.  The money raised helps cover the costs for many of our activities including, but not limited to: Pinewood Derby, Blue & Gold, holiday party, Raingutter Regatta, adventures and awards, room rentals, outings, and more.  Strong participation in the popcorn sales will help the pack cover the costs of these programs while keeping dues low.  This is the most significant financial contribution your scout can make to Help The Pack Go!  The Pack Committee has set a goal for this year’s selling season based on last year’s budget and our projected growth.

Selling popcorn is also a good opportunity for your scout to practice their communication skills and manners. Scouts learn to meet new people and gain valuable social skills.

How We Sell

Trail’s End is the website and phone app that we use to reserve storefront slots, sell online, and record face-to-face sales. Check out their App Quick Start Guide.

Storefront Sales

For Storefront Sales, popcorn is purchased by the pack at the beginning of the selling season and sold on the spot. This purchased popcorn cannot be returned to the manufacturer for refund to the pack, so the Popcorn Kernel must carefully limit this to what can reasonably be expected to be sold off in September and October, or the pack could lose out on funds if there’s a lot of leftover, unsold popcorn.

For example, at a Storefront Popcorn sale, scouts would sign up for a shift and take turns selling popcorn for a specific period of time and scouts are given sales credit by dividing sales for the shift amongst the number of scouts present.

A Storefront sale is an easy way to get new scouts excited about Popcorn fundraising by doing this with their fellow cub scouts in a more collegial environment.

Safety is a priority.  Several scouts will sell at allotted times, and scouts should not be left unsupervised. A parent is required to remain with their scout during the entire time they are at a storefront sale.  Scouts should wear their uniforms and should always be polite.  The popcorn should never be opened or given away.

Parent volunteers may act as the "Storefront Manager".  These volunteers are responsible for setting up and tearing down the table and product at a storefront location.

Pack 296 Popcorn Info Sheet 2024