New Renewal Cycle for All Members
A New, Simpler Renewal Cycle for All Members
Scouting America announced an important change at the National Annual Meeting that will simplify the membership and unit renewal process nationwide.
By February 2028, all members and all units will have a single, common renewal month of February.
This change is in response to feedback from unit leaders and other Scouters who asked for a simpler, more consistent renewal experience. We appreciate and value their input.
Key updates include:
· Beginning September 2026, all units due for renewal will renew to February 2028.
· All memberships and unit charters will have a common renewal month of February by February 2028
o To simplify the process and in response to unit leaders’ requests, Scouting America is returning to unit control of member renewals. If the unit does not renew a member, that member may renew themselves after the unit-only period closes.
· The current 60-day grace period will end December 31, 2026
o Members renewing in November 2026 will still receive a 30-day grace period through December
o Members renewing in December 2026 must renew by December 31 to avoid being dropped
To support the transition during 2026:
· Beginning in September 2026, new and renewing units will use the standard charter fee plus a monthly pro-rata fee through February 2028
· No changes for new and renewing members through 2026
Please begin to share this information with your staff, units, commissioners, and membership teams. Additional information will be coming soon from Scouting America and your council may have specific guidance and implementation details during the transition period.
This is a significant operational change designed to reduce complexity and create a more streamlined experience for volunteers, families, and councils alike.
Military Waiver Fee
Military families understand commitment, resilience, leadership, and service falues that align closely with the mission of Scouting America. To help make Scouting more accessible for military connected youth, Scouting America is proud to introduce a new Military Family Fee Wavier program that removes the $85 national youth registration fee for eligible families through online registration. Military families often balance unique responsibilities and transitions, and Scouting can provide consistency, friendship, leadership opportunities, and a strong sense of community for youth.
As we begin preparing for the fall membership drive, we now have two great additional features to help youth and families choose to be a part of your great Scouting program.
Military Family Fee Waiver: Any parent who is active-duty guard or reserve qualifies to have 100% of the national registration fee of $85.00 waived for each registered child! The national council has secured funding to cover these fees for our military families. This applies not only to new Scouts but to renewal registrations due after June 1, 2026. You have to register/renew via the online registration system as all the verifications to qualify are included in that program. For more details and restrictions, check out the resource page on our council website.
Jayhawk eBugler – June 2026
Program Preview Resources
Welcome to the central location to find printable Council Calendar and flyers from Program Previews!
- 2026 – 2027 Council Calendar
- Cub Scout Camp
- Cub Adventure Day
- Fun with Family Day Camp
- Merit Badge Immersion
- Upcoming Training
- Ideal Year of Scouting Fair
- Angling Educator Course
- Webelos Woods
- America250 Program Guide
- America250 Order Form
- America250 Leaders Guide
- America 250 Revolutionary War Hero Form
- Military Waiver Fee Information
Safeguarding Youth Training Renewal: A Call to Action for Scouting Leaders
Unit leaders, now is the time to check in with your unit volunteers .
Last year, Scouting America transitioned from Youth Protection Training to the updated Safeguarding Youth Training (SYT) program. Along with enhanced content—including important topics like cyberbullying and online safety—the program also shifted from a two-year renewal cycle to an annual requirement, which goes fully into effect this May.
With this new format, many leaders will find the renewal process quicker. If a Scouter completed the updated training last year, they may qualify for the Refresher Course, which includes a short update video followed by a test. Passing with 80% or higher renews their certification for another year. If they do not pass, they will be directed to complete the full training. It’s important to note that the refresher option is only available up to seven (7) days after their renewal date. After the seven (7) day grace period, they would have to re-take the full course.
This year, many of our volunteers are part of the transition group. In the Jayhawk Area Council alone, over 400 leaders are due to renew their training by May 31. Nationwide, that number reaches into the hundreds of thousands, all accessing the system at the same time. This is where you come in.
We are asking all committee chairs and unit leaders to actively check in with your adult leadership and encourage them to complete their Safeguarding Youth Training as early as possible. Waiting until the end of the month could lead to system delays due to the high volume of users. A quick reminder, a simple conversation, or a unit-wide message can make all the difference in ensuring everyone stays current and compliant.
Let’s work together to stay ahead of the deadline, support one another, and continue our commitment to providing a safe environment for every Scout.
Don’t wait—renew early, and encourage your team to do the same.
