Ian Lamb

Boy Scouts of America Announces New Membership Fees

The National Council of the Boy Scouts of America has announced the new membership fees that will take effect August 1, 2023. This decision is the result of extensive work by both national council volunteers and staff with input from local councils to determine the fees necessary to operate the Boy Scouts of America.

Effective August 1, 2023, the membership fees will be adjusted as follows:

• $80 for Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturing and Sea Scouting participants ($5 increase)
• $60 for all adult volunteers ($15 increase to provide general liability insurance and enhanced background checks) 
• $25 one-time joining fee for new program participants in Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturing and Sea Scouting (Not prorated and no change in fee)
• $25 for Merit Badge Counselors (New Fee applies only for Merit Badge Counselors not already registered as leaders)
• $50 for Exploring participants Youth & Adult ($5 increase)
• $100 for a unit charter/affiliation fee (no change in fee)
• $15 for Scout Life magazine (no change)

In addition to the above fees, there will be no pro-rated fee option. For youth or volunteers joining after August 1, 2023, the annual membership fee will be due upon registration and will be due each year on their anniversary date. Those that are registered youth and volunteers prior to August 1, 2023 will annually renew in January.  There will no longer be pro-rated fees to cover everyone until January and unit recharting will no longer be directly tied to the annual registration renewal process.

Please review the two documents, one from the National BSA Council and one from your Jayhawk Area Council leadership.  Both will provide additional background information about this upcoming change.  We also look forward to seeing everyone at your August Program Previews and where there will be an opportunity to ask questions.

We look forward to another great school year of Scouting!

Jayhawk Area Council Key 3