Cost of Scouting
Compared to the cost of sports and other youth activities, we believe that Scouting delivers great value to its members and returns a lifetime of dividends.
Pack Budget
Much of Pack 421’s operating budget is provided by a small annual membership dues collected for each Scout and the income from our annual popcorn fundraiser.
The operating budget of the Pack funds upkeep of Pack-owned equipment such as our camp kitchen, trailer, and sheds, as well as pays the costs for consumable materials used at meetings, advancement awards and badges, Pinewood Derby kits and trophies, annual unit rechartering fees, and more.
Personal Costs
Other incremental costs of Scouting are paid by the family of the Cub Scout. Those personal costs fall broadly into three categories:
Membership dues - paid each year, typically at the start of the year
Activity fees - paid at various times throughout the year for Pack activities that have a fee to participate; these fees are usually paid via the Pack’s online store; payment reserves space to attend the event; we try to ensure enough every event has enough space for everyone, but events can sell out due to headcount limits at the campground or venue, so reserve your spots early to not risk missing out; an announcement email is sent to the Pack when reservations open for each event
Outfitting costs - these costs are incurred the first year when joining Scouting but are not necessarily incurred every year after that; examples include initial purchase of a Scout uniform and family camping gear; note that while most uniform items can be reused from year-to-year, a few uniform items (neckerchief and cap) need to be replaced every year because the color of these items identifies the Cub Scout’s rank; and it is also expected that each Cub Scout will purchase a new handbook each year for their next rank
Click here for a detailed breakdown of estimated personal costs (PDF)
Keep in mind that Cub Scouts is a family experience, which means most costs vary from family to family depending on the number of parents and siblings who participate in the events. As a result, there is no way to provide a one-size-fits-all estimated cost for Scouting, but using figures from the PDF file linked above you should be able to calculate the estimated costs for your family.
Estimated prices and fees subject to change at any time
Refund Policy: All membership dues (national and Pack) are non-refundable. Activity fees become non-refundable two weeks before the event unless a different refund cutoff date is specified in the event description or announcements.
District & Council Events
Our parent District and Council regularly host events that are attended by Scouting families from all over Central Texas, including day camps and resident camps. These events are usually hosted at Council-owned properties in the region.
District and Council events are always lots of fun! We encourage you to sign up—ideally with a few other Pack 421 Scouts or families who are similarly interested. Pack 421 does not always put these events on our official Pack calendar, but look for announcements in the monthly email newsletter sent by the Armadillo District (our district) to all Cub Scout families.
Note that Cub Scout shooting sports adventures (BB gun, archery, and slingshot) are offered only at district or council events.
District and council events generally have a modest participation fee.
Pack 421 “Scout Closet”
Every year we collect outgrown uniform items and handbooks from older scouts and set them out during the first few pack meetings so that younger families can use them instead of buying new. Availability is limited and offered on a first-come basis.
NOTE for Fall 2024: There are no hand-me-down handbooks this year because all ranks have new editions, and the changes from previous years are too great for the older editions to be useful. If you have an older edition, please put it in the waste recycling.
Financial Assistance
If your child (or children) want to participate in Cub Scouts but costs are a problem, there are several ways we can help:
Loaner gear such as sleeping bags or tents
Payment plans for fees that are paid to the Pack
Hand-me-down uniforms and handbooks (limited supply)
Scholarships from our parent BSA council (how to apply)
Scouts who receive assistance are encouraged to be active in our fundraising efforts.
To request assistance, please speak to the Cubmaster or Pack Committee Chair in person, or send an email to cubmaster@pack421austin.org