The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) has worked to keep the membership fee as low as possible. Unfortunately, operating costs have continued to rise and COVID-19 has compounded the need to increase the fee to maintain the program.
2021-2022 Membership Fees effective August 1, 2021
- There is a slight fee increase of $6 for registration as well as council fees in accordance with national guidance communicated last year,
- Fee schedule can be found here: 2021-22 Membership Fee Chart
- ADULT
- Fillable Adult Application
- $45 BSA membership
+ $30.00 South Florida Council fee
= $75 total - Adults don’t pay troop dues
- YOUTH
- Fillable Youth Application
- $72 BSA membership
+ $30 South Florida Council fee
+ $12 Scout Life Magazine (optional)
= $114 total - One-time $25 joining fee for new program participants in Scouts BSA
- Troop 941 dues TBA for 2021-22.
- MERIT BADGE COUNSELOR ONLY
- No charge
- Fillable Adult Application
More information from South Florida Council is here: https://sfcbsa.org/recharter/
The national membership fee helps pay for the cost of essential services, including program resources, liability insurance for those participating in approved Scouting activities, youth protection and other local council resources.
National BSA will also continue to develop and improve resources that support our volunteers and youth members through online registration, Scoutbook, and national initiatives that bring us all together like the National Camp-In and the Scout Salute partnership with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Across the country and in each of our communities, we know that Scouting remains one of the most valuable investments we can make in young men and women 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.
FAQ
Q: Why are the fees increasing?
A: The costs associated with Scouting, including the cost of liability insurance, continue to increase and the organization is not able to subsidize the increased costs as it had in the past.
Q: When will this increase take effect?
A: The updated membership fees will take effect August 1, 2021, for new members in the 2021-2022 program year. For renewing members, the new fees will take effect on October 1, 2021.
Q: What will the money be used for?
A: The annual national membership fee and new-member joining fee help pay for the cost of essential services, including program resources, liability insurance for those participating in approved Scouting activities, youth protection and other local council resources.
Q: Is this increase being implemented to cover the cost of the additional background checks?
A: While the cost of background checks is paid for by the national organization, that is not the driver of this increase.
Q: Will membership fees go toward funding a victims compensation trust?
A: No. The national annual membership fee and the new-member joining fee will help pay for the cost of essential services, including program resources, liability insurance for those participating in approved Scouting activities, youth protection and other local council resources.
Q: What measures has the national organization taken to offset its financial challenges?
A: In addition to ongoing efforts to streamline and simplify the organization, the national organization has taken a number of steps to address its financial challenges, which include recent furloughs and three rounds of reductions over the past year. These were in addition to ongoing consolidation of departments and elimination of some significant vendors for the most effective utilization of resources in support of Scouting.
