Cub Scouts is one of the most inexpensive and rewarding youth programs you can sign your child up for. With basic dues only $129.08 per year (as of Aug 1, 2022), the cost for a year of scouting is less than the cost of a month of many other youth programs. Here’s how it breaks down:
Annual Dues
| National Council Dues | $75.00 |
| Council Insurance | $4.08 |
| Pack Dues | $50.00 |
| TOTAL | $129.08* |
This amounts to about $10.75 per month – about the cost of one lunch at Subway. No other youth program in Maryland is as comprehensive, effective and affordable as Cub Scouting.
And for an extra $15 per year ($1.25 per issue), enjoy a subscription to Scout Life, the famed 110+-year-old magazine published exclusively for Scouts (So worth it! Highly recommended, even for adults!)
*Lower or no-cost dues are available for families with financial challenges.
*Webelos II (senior Cubs) pay discounted dues of $102.08
One-Time Costs
The one-time costs involve purchasing the different parts of the blue Cub Scout field uniform, including some patches, and a $25 one-time National Council joining fee. Other things, such as belt loops, badges and awards, are included in the pack dues.
| Joining Fee | $25.00 |
| Cap | $22.99 |
| Neckerchief & Slide | $20.98 |
| Belt | $12.99 |
| Shirt | $32.99 |
| Uniform Patches | $14.73 |
| Patch Vest | $14.99 |
| TOTAL | $144.67 plus tax |
Everything can be purchased at the Scout Shop on Wyman Park Drive, or any other Baltimore area Scout Shop.
In addition to the standard uniform, our pack also requires that each scout have a patch vest (also known as a “Brag Vest”) to show off all of the patches they earn that can’t be affixed to the uniform.
Handbooks are also available for $16.99, and while historically they’ve been a staple of Cub Scouting – and they still serve as a great resource – the Internet has largely replaced their necessity and these days they’re a completely optional resource.
Now there are lots of other nice items that you can also purchase to go along with the basic uniform, such as official pants and socks, and while the BSA strongly suggests the necessity of them, they are in no way necessary at 3807. A nice pair of jeans will do just fine by us.
You will have to replace the cap, neckerchief and slide each year. So that’s an ongoing uniform cost of about $30 per year on top of the membership fees. Also, since kids grow, they’ll eventually grow out of the shirt. We suggest purchasing the shirt large so it needs to be replaced less often (everybody does it). You can get away with only replacing it once before your scout hits Webelos. Sewn patches can be moved from one shirt to another without having to be replaced. Cut the belt long so it will last through the entirety of the program (don’t worry, we’ll help with all of that).
Almost all these items can usually be found, gently used or even new, on Etsy, eBay, etc. We also have a uniform trade-in program which is a great way for families to save on head and neckwear every year.
If the cost of a uniform is holding your child back from joining, don’t let it. Pack 3807 has a policy that if a scout family cannot afford a uniform, the pack will provide one for whatever cost you can afford, even if that means no cost at all. Period, no questions asked. We rely on honesty, not proof – that’s the scouting way. And no one will ever know what you paid for a uniform – your finances are your private business. We just want your child to join in the amazing experience of Scouting.
Ongoing Costs
During the year, there are small extra costs for adventures outside of the typical den and pack meetings. Some of these costs end up being offset or eliminated by our Scout fundraising programs.
We often go on pack-wide adventures such as hiking, camping and STEM adventures, plus special events such as the Pinewood Derby, Raingutter Regatta, Video Game Sleepover, and the Blue & Gold Banquet. We charge a little bit for each of these to cover costs, usually $3-$5 per event. It is very strongly suggested that all scouts attend these events. They will earn a patch for each event they attend that they can place on their patch vest or just collect at home.
The Baltimore Council also often offers amazing district or council-wide events such as the B&O Railroad Museum Railroad-O-Ree and outdoor adventures such as camping, archery and hiking, which can range from free to $10 or more. These are completely optional. Sometimes a patch is offered by either the council or our pack for scouts that attend. There is also Cub Camp in the summer that parents attend with their Scouts which is held at Broad Creek Memorial Scout Reservation, a breathtaking 2,500 acre reservation in northern Maryland owned and maintained by the BSA Baltimore Council.
Finally, there are many organizations and venues that offer special priced scouting events, such as the Maryland Science Center, the Baltimore Blast, Medieval Times, National Aquarium, etc. These events are priced by the venue, and usually at a discount. These are also completely optional. Typically the venue offers a patch, but not always. 3807 has no relationship to any of these events other than helping to coordinate.
That’s typically it for the ongoing costs.
Volunteering
Now, this is the cost that’s hard to put a number on. Adult volunteering. This is why the cost of Cub Scouts is so low compared to other comprehensive youth programs.
As you’ve probably surmised by now, Pack 3807 is a completely volunteer organization. No one, from the Den Leaders to the Cubmaster to the Committee Chair himself, are paid for their work. It’s all a labor of love! We’re mostly parents and relatives of the scouts, but not all of us.
To keep costs low, Pack 3807 has what we call the “1/1 Requirement.” That is, each Cub Scout family must volunteer their time at least twice,
once to assist in the planning and execution of a Den-level meeting, event or task, and once to assist in the planning and execution of a Pack-level meeting, event or task. Basically, you or another friend or relative of your scout must help the Den Leader run one of the meetings, and you also must help the Cubmaster with one aspect of a pack-level meeting or event.
Of course, keep in mind that registered adult leaders, Pack Committee members and special event coordinators do not have to meet the 1/1 requirement. So if you want to get out of the 1/1 requirement, come join us! We could use a great volunteer like you to help us out! For more information on the 1/1 requirement and volunteer positions, take a look at our Pack 3807 Bylaws.
Fundraising
We’ve saved the best for last! With dues so low, our #1 way of funding programming is through fundraising. Scouts sell everything from popcorn to discount cards. Don’t worry – it’s not a chore – it’s fun! Scouts raise money and decide what to spend it on (camping, road trips, skiing, etc.). Not only do strong fundraising activities help offset ongoing costs to both you and the Pack, they also instill in Scouts values such as confidence, courage, responsibility and self-sufficiency.
Are you ready? Click here to join!