FINANCES

     Scouting is relatively cheap compared to most activities.  Unfortunately it does not appear so because it’s a year-round pastime.  The annual cost to be a Scout in any Troop is hard to predict because the planned events vary from year to year.  As a rule expect summer camp to cost about $200, dues are $10 per month or $120 annually, and monthly camping trips are about $15 each or $180 per year if a Scout attends them all (practically no one does).  That added together comes to $500, and coupled to the less predictable cost of day trips and uniform needs can be considered the “annual recurring cost” for boys who don’t miss any routine events.  Sound like a lot of money?  Consider that it covers more than 30 nights of camping, 60 meals, a week of summer camp, all Troop expenses like equipment and supplies, and an entire year of fun.  Also consider that the only mandatory cost is the monthly dues, the rest is based on participation.  

Personal Accounts

   Each Scout has a personal account.  It can be thought of as a no-interest savings account.  When you pay dues or receive profit from a fundraiser, it is put in your account like a savings deposit, increasing your balance.  Once a month the Troop routinely charges your account for dues and fees, like making a withdrawal, lowering the amount you have in your account.  Scouts may accumulate surpluses in their accounts and use it to pay for summer camp fees.  They may withdraw any surplus for Scouting related purposes such as uniforms and camping gear.  For other than routine withdrawals, both the Scout and a parent must sign a form so that parents know for sure what is happening with the money.

Fundraising

     Parents can pay the bills for the boys if they choose.  They will almost certainly have to for new inductees to get started unless there happens to be a fundraiser going on when they join, but it is the opinion of the Boy Scouts of America and our Troop that the boys should pay their own way through Scouts wherever possible.  Fiscal responsibility, appropriate at any age, is a recurring Scout theme.  We don’t get any grants and there is no money coming in from any form of Government.  We earn it all ourselves, so fund-raisers are a vital part of the program.  Nobody likes to do them, but the good thing about our fundraisers is that, unlike similar activities in schools and sports, ours directly reduce the amount of money the boys as individuals will be charged during the year.  All of the profit from the fundraisers is credited directly to the Scouts, each in proportion to his efforts.  The troop retains none, obtaining its entire budget from the collection of dues.  Several moneymaking opportunities will be offered throughout the year.  Realizing that most children are already inundated with take-home schemes for school, sports teams, band and so forth, our Troop often uses a “show and sell” tactic, where we schedule days for the boys to set up a display outside stores and sell to the public in shifts of several hours each.  This eliminates the need for door-to-door sales and eases the burden on grandparents and neighbors growing weary of numerous entreaties for support.

Financial Policy

1.       Upon joining the Troop, a Bridging/Joining Expenses form is to be filled out by the Scout and his parents to ensure that each Scout has all the appropriate badges, patches, etc. for his uniform and has paid for his transfer or registration.  The Advancement Chairperson will give these items to the Scout.

2.       A personal account will be established for each Scout.  A Scout Individual Account form will be filled out for each new Scout.  All dues, camping registrations, summer camp, food for campouts, Scout items or clothing purchased will be deducted from the account and shown on this form.  Any payment made to the Scout's account will also be indicated on this form.  Any Scout or parent can review the account at any time.  An Individual Account may also be set up for any adult who wishes to have one.  This will allow a means of saving for, and automatic deduction of, various fees such as food for camping trips and attendance at summer camp.

3.       All of the profit from all Troop fundraisers will be credited to the personal account of each Scout in proportion to his participation.

4.       The Troop’s only regular source of income will be from dues.  Dues will be set by the Troop Committee to cover each Scout’s share of the budget.

5.       Monthly dues will normally be charged against the Scout’s individual account.  Dues are $10 per month.  If a Scout’s personal account does not have money available, it will still be debited and show a negative balance.  The Scout or his parent may contribute to his personal account at any time by cash or by making a check payable to BSA, Troop 396.

6.       A Scout who is two months or more behind in his personal account will not be permitted to participate in camping, other Troop activities or Boards of Review for advancement.

7.       A Scout who is two months or more behind in his personal account will not be reregistered at registration time until he has paid into his account an amount equal to at least the registration fee, insurance, and Boy’s Life subscription.  If a Scout remains behind in his personal account for six consecutive months after registration time, he will be dropped from the Troop.  If a Scout is dropped and later returns, he will owe two months dues and the re-chartering fee.

8.       Surplus in a Scout’s personal account may be used for Summer Camp fees, Camporee fees, and so forth, as his parents see fit.  A Request for Funds from Personal Scout Account form must be signed by the parent to have money deducted from the account.

9.       Surpluses in a Scout’s personal account may also be withdrawn for other Scouting purposes such as the purchase of uniforms and camping equipment.  If reimbursement is requested for Scout supplies, an original receipt must accompany the signed request.

10.   A Scout who transfers to another Troop will be allowed to transfer all surpluses in his account to be used in his new Troop’s activities, upon receipt of information.

11.   After a Scout resigns from Scouting, any surplus in his personal account will be transferred to the Troop’s general fund.

12.   Resigning or transferring Scouts are expected to pay any shortage in their personal accounts.

13.   It is the intention of the Troop to provide fund raising opportunities  during the year so that individual Scouts can earn a substantial amount of their dues, fees and camping expenses.

14.   Pending approval of the Committee, expenses incurred for Scouting items will be reimbursed upon submission of an original receipt to the Treasurer.  Expenses include items purchased such as badges, troop supplies, tents, items needed for fundraisers, etc.

15.   No Scouting privilege will be denied to any Scout if application for financial assistance has been made to the Troop Committee.  The Troop Treasurer will handle the applications.

16.  When a weekend camping trip is planned, one Scout from each Patrol will be assigned the responsibility of purchasing the food for himself and his Patrol.  An Activity/Camping Form will be given to him on the Monday meeting prior to the camping weekend.  Upon receiving this form, the Scout lists the other Scouts who will be participating from his Patrol.  He will then purchase food for the entire weekend for his Patrol.  He will be limited to spending no more than $10.00 per Scout for food.  Example:  If he and four other Scouts in his Patrol will be participating in the campout, the assigned Scout cannot spend more than $50.00 on food for the weekend.  If more than the allotted amount is spent the Scout will be personally responsible for the additional cost.