Do you know what it costs our troop & crew to offer a scouting program to our boys?

from your  Committee Treasurer 
     
 

Since troop events are run on a pay as you go basis, we all know what the boys spend when they go to Troop sponsored  activities, outings, and camps. 

You also know from the information provided by the Three Fires Council in connection with their annual Friends of Scouting Donation Drive that it costs about $100 per year/scout to run the Council and the National Organization that supports the  scouting program. 

Many don't realize  that it also costs about $120 per scout/year  to run our Troop.  Using a membership of 50, here is how we spent it-

$20/scout- COUNCIL EXPENSE- that is what the troop  pays to the council each year to charter the scouts and  leaders with the National Organization and get Boy's Life Magazine  for the boys and Scouting  magazine for the leaders.

$20/scout - BSA  AWARDS - covers the costs of rank emblems, merit badges, mother pins, event  patches,  attendance pins, etc. For example it costs about $2 for each merit badge patch.

$20/scout - CAMPING GEAR- each year we need to replenish and repair the camping gear and supplies in our troop trailer.  One tent alone costs over $300 and other items like lanterns, stoves, propane canisters, and cooking utensils can be expensive, too.  We also have expenses for  trailer maintenance, repairs, and license plates as well.

$20/scout - LEADER EXPENSES - the troop pays for the  food and the fees of the Adults who attend our outings. We also pay $25/event to our Trailer Hauler, and  incur significant costs for Troop Leaders to attend council   training sessions.

$20/scout - SCOUT  EXPENSES - refreshments and treats for various outings and events; scout scarves, sheaths, handbooks and  t-shirts for new scouts; eagle scout life memberships for the older scouts.

 $20/scout - MISCELLANEOUS  EXPENSES -trailer insurance, scout insurance, postage for mailings, web hosting fees, council assessments, copy costs, lots of little admin costs that add up year after year.

BSA TROOP & CREW 507

SAINT MARGARET MARY PARISH

  • So if it costs over $120 per year/scout to run our troop how do we keep our annual dues at less that $60 per year ?  We get no cash subsidies from council.  We do not share in the  proceeds from the  annual Friends of Scouting Donation Drive. The answer is -the troop  earns money from its Fall and Spring Fundraisers. 

  • Our Fall fundraiser centers around the sale of popcorn, coupon entertainment books, and  Krispy- Kreme donut cards.

  • Our Spring fundraiser is focused on our annual  pancake breakfast each May.

  •  As long as our scouts and their parents continue to contribute their time and sales efforts to our fundraisers, we can keep our troop dues more affordable and also let the boys earn scout dollars to help pay for their dues and scouting equipment. 

         Please pitch in and help us with our fundraisers each year!!!