Our troop participates in a variety of fund-raisers throughout the year, typically including work days, chicken barbecues, pancake breakfasts, and other similar events. Generally, we do not encourage fund-raisers which involve sales of commercial products, preferring to give the Scouts the opportunity to participate in the production and labor of the product, rather than just the sales.
We strongly encourage all Scouts to participate in these events. Parent participation is also welcomed. Keeping in mind that “A Scout is Thrifty,” the profits from these fund-raisers are divided among Scouts (and parents) based on how many tickets they sell or hours they work, as appropriate, and are deposited into the Scout’s Scout Account, kept by the treasurer. Scouts may use these funds to pay for troop activities, camping equipment, etc.
Note: Any unused funds revert to the troop general account if the Scout is no longer a member of the troop.
Troop camping trips are paid for by the participants on the trip. However, our troop also provides its Scouts with a number of services and goods such as rank patches, awards, troop supplies, etc., that are not part of these event expenses. In order to ensure that we have sufficient operating funds, and to allow us to devote our fund-raiser profits entirely to individual Scout accounts, we have a yearly Activity Fee.
This Activity Fee is (as of 2009) $100 per Scout per year and $20 per registered adult (troop committee member, Assistant Scoutmaster, etc.). It includes our registration payment to the Council as well as Council accident insurance, and our troop’s operating expenses. For new Scouts, these fees should be paid upon joining the troop. When we do the annual re-charter each January, the payment for the following year should be made. An additional $13 per year is due for Boys Life magazine, if desired (recommended!).
Scouts are encouraged to use Scout Account funds from their fundraising efforts to pay for their Activity Fees.
Note: Scouts whose Activity Fees are not paid will not be eligible to participate in Troop camping and other events.
Adopted by the Troop Committee 6/2001 with updated fee structure approved 11/2009.
We do not want any Scouts to choose not to participate in Scouting for financial reasons. Many council-level activities, such as Camp Rainey Mountain, have “camperships” available. Our troop also maintains a Scholarship Account, which helps provide partial funding for Scouts who need assistance; generally, these funds are used to match what a Scout earns through fund-raising events. Scouts or parents interested in making a contribution to the Scholarship Account should speak with the troop treasurer. Scouts or parents who would like to access the scholarship funds, should speak with the Scoutmaster, Committee Chair, or Treasurer; these communications will be kept confidential within the Scholarship Committee.