Pack 404 Dues
Q: How much does it cost to join Cub Scouts?
Let us first say that finances should never be a barrier for anyone to join Scouting. Scholarships and financial assistance are available at all levels of Scouting – national, council, and Pack 404 itself. All requests are handled privately and discreetly.
Annual Dues
Annual dues for Pack 404 are $148/year. This covers dues to the BSA national organization, our local council (Bay Area Council), and Pack 404 dues. A $10/Scout discount is given for additional Scouts (2nd, 3rd, etc.) from the same family.
Pack dues cover the bare minimum expenses it takes to run a Pack. Scouting does an annual fundraiser, and the pack may do an additional one if deemed necessary (see below). Pack 404 Dues Cover:
| Annual Dues Component | Amount |
| National BSA Dues, Insurance, First Time Registration Fee ($25) | $100 |
| Programming & Awards | $37 |
| Derby (Pinewood, Raingutter) Kits & Awards | $14 |
| Pack T-Shirt* | $10 |
| Boy’s Life Magazine** | $12 |
* T-Shirt included in first year of registration
** One Boy’s Life subscription per household
Annual dues are paid in September or October of each year. This timing places the annual dues between back-to-school expenses in July/Aug and holiday expenses that pick up in Nov/Dec.
Dues are also scheduled at this time as Pack 404 is required to turn in its annual recharter during mid-December, and pay the national registration fees for the next year at that time. We need to be sure we know who is continuing with the program, and ensure we have the funds to cover the national fees.
The amount can be paid in full in September, or split into two payments of $60 each in September and October. Just let us know if you want to split payments. Please help our Treasurer retain her sanity by being paid up by the October pack meeting!
New Scout Registration
Scouting dues follow a calendar year of January-December. The Cub Scouting program traditionally follows the school year calendar, with most new Cubscouts registering in August.
For any new scouts registering mid-year, the pack will pro-rated dues based on the date of registration.
Once dues are paid, each scout will receive their pack t-shirt. With this, the scout will be ready for their first den meeting.
Other Expenses & Fundraising
All of Cubscouts BSA and Scouts BSA participate in fundraising. Pack 404 covers event costs throughout the year via fundraising. These costs include both pinewood derby and raingutter regatta kits, scout activities and awards, Blue & Gold Banquet, and other events. We strive to cover as many costs as possible with annual dues and fundraising.
Parents can expect to cover food costs for their families at campouts, adult entrance fees to state parks (kids 12 and under are free), and registration fees for district and council events such as Cub-O-Ree, Twilight Camp and Webelos Woods.
With successful fundraising the pack can plan more, and bigger events, while covering the costs. With more modest fundraising, the pack will either adjust the calendar of events accordingly, or ask parents to pay entrance or ticket fees. Cubscouting is not a fundraising organization. The pack only fundraises when necessary – we do not fundraise for the sake of fundraising.
Our primary focus is in serving the community through scouting.