2024 BSA National Membership Fees

Feb 7, 2024

2 min read

National Membership Fee

BSA’s emergence from bankruptcy represents a pivotal milestone in the Boy Scouts of America (BSA)’s financial restructuring case and solidifies a path forward for survivors and the Scouting movement.

To preserve its mission, the BSA has had to take some extraordinary steps over the past three years to reposition the organization for the future. The BSA has streamlined its professional staff and volunteer structure, reducing costs throughout the movement while maintaining essential services to support the local councils who were critical partners during the bankruptcy.

To position Scouting for the future, the BSA will be required to increase the national annual membership fees for both youth and adults. This has been a difficult decision that involved the engagement of key stakeholders, but it is essential to building a strong, safe, and vibrant Scouting program for our nation’s youth.

Current Fee Structure

Effective January - March 2024, the BSA will have the following national membership fees*:

$80 for Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturing and Sea Scouting participants ($5 increase)
$60 for all adult volunteers ($15 increase to provide general liability insurance and enhanced background checks)
$25 one-time joining fee for new program participants in Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturing and Sea Scouting (Not prorated and no change in fee)
$25 for Merit Badge Counselors (New Fee applies only for individuals not already registered as adult leaders in the Council)
$50 for Exploring participants Youth & Adult ($5 increase)
$100 for a unit charter/affiliation fee (no change in fee)
$15 for Scout Life magazine subscription

*This amount goes directly to the National BSA and does not include any additional fees a Unit may collect. Conquistador Council does not charge any additional fees.

New Fee Structure

Starting on April 1, 2024, the BSA will be implementing new national membership fee structure:

$85 for Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturing and Sea Scouting participants ($5 increase)
$65 for all adult volunteers ($5 increase)
$25 for Merit Badge Counselors (this fee applies only to those individuals who are not already registered as adult leaders in the Council). Merit badge counselors who are not also registered in a unit position are not allowed to attend overnight Scouting activities/events.
$50 for Exploring participants Youth & Adult
$100 for a unit charter/affiliation fee
$15 for Scout Life magazine subscription