How much does Cub Scouts cost?

Compared to the cost of sports and other youth activities, we believe that Scouting delivers great value to its members and will return a lifetime of dividends.

The following information reflects expected costs for the 2023-24 program year. All prices are subject to change.

We do not want cost to be a barrier for any youth to participate. If your family needs help, please check out the Financial Help section lower on this page.

Initial Costs

The following costs are typically incurred when a new Cub Scout initially joins the pack.

• Registration & dues: $105

  • includes annual registration ($80) and a one-time joining fee for new members ($25)

  • these fees cover insurance and membership in the national BSA organization

  • collected when you submit your child’s membership application

• “Class A” uniform: $110-150 (approximate)

  • see our Uniforms page for details

• “Class B” uniform: $20

  • our Pack T-shirt

  • worn on informal occasions when the Class A uniform is not required

• Scout handbook: $24

  • each Scout should have their own copy of the Scout handbook

  • a digital version is now available online for a few dollars less

• ‘Scout Life’ magazine: $15 (optional)
  subscription to a glossy print magazine about Scout topics for youth members of all ages, published monthly by the national BSA organization

NOTE: Some initial costs such as the uniform, pack t-shirt, and Scout handbook can be avoided by obtaining them second-hand from other scouts that have moved up in the program or outgrown their items. Our pack keeps a supply of hand-me-down items available on a first-come basis. Speak to a pack leader or your den leader about our “uniform closet.”

Activity COSTS

Pack equipment and materials for pack and den meetings is funded by our annual popcorn fundraiser. But certain pack activities have nominal participation fees:

• Camping: $20 per family for tent site + $10 per person (age 5+) for food

• Museum overnight (e.g., zoo, aquarium, NASA, USS Lexington): $70-100 per person

• Blue & Gold banquet: $10 per person (age 5+)

• Summertime pack outings: varies depending on the activity

Financial Help

Money shouldn’t be a barrier between your child and scouting. So, if they want to join our pack but finances are a problem, there are ways we can support you. Our parent organization, Capitol Area Council, offers registration assistance, uniform assistance, and camperships. Let us know if one of their financial help programs would be helpful for you.

Our pack can also support your scout and family by loaning you a tent, sleeping gear, and more for camping and reducing or waiving the cost of events, if money is a barrier to participation. We do ask scouts who receive assistance to be active in our fundraising efforts, as that is how our unit is able to help.

Please reach out to our treasurer with any questions or speak privately with our Cubmaster or Committee Chair about these options.

Returning scouts

At the beginning of each program year in late August or September, each returning scout must pay the national annual registration fee ($80) but instead of paying a one-time joining fee, an equivalent amount ($25) is payed as dues to the pack. The optional ‘Scout Life’ magazine subscription ($15) is also renewed annually.

Summer Camps

Summer day camps and residence camp are run by the local BSA district and council. Click here for historical information about the camps offered for Cub Scouts during Summer 2023.