Boy Scouts - budget draining - time and money!

[DawnM]

I find scouting to be the CHEAPEST thing we can do!

Even with dues and uniforms, it is only a once a year cost.

Many spend $40-$50 per month PER KID on things like piano lessons or sports.

Dawn

 

[pioneer89]

Yet another Cub Scout proponent here.

Our Pack does things slightly different than the 'standard'. We have weekly meekings of the entire Pack, with about 5-10 minutes of 'Pack stuff' (pledge, promise, etc.) then we breakup into Dens.

The costly 'go-see-its' also suprise me. All of our Den trips are to free place, we've done police and fire stations, the local landfill, a local ANG base, nature centers, etc. We do try to do one 'big trip per year, and that will sometimes have a cost. Summer residence camp also costs, but that is what most of our fund raising money goes to, so boys get a discount depending on how many fund raising activities he participates in.

I can't say enough good things about our program.

 

[crisi]

I just signed my kids up for Spring Baseball/Softball. $190 per kid. The coaches are all volunteer. I still have to buy the uniform and all their gear. (3 months)

Scouts $70 for the year (12 months) , I don't have to spend another dime if I don't want to.

Our baseball is $65 through park and rec. Best deal going and we don't sell anything either.

 

[crisi]

Hmmm, interesting.. we have both boy and girls scouts, and i think they are both terrific-but not for everybody. It has done wonders for my shy son, he really feels like he belongs. has nothing to do with a camping club- its so much more, we haven't even been camping yet We meet once a month for each- den and pack, and the pack pays for just about everything, $50 dues....

A friend of mine runs a Boy Scout troop in inner city Minneapolis. They don't do anything that costs money either - or rather anything that can't be funded by their minimal dues and popcorn and wreath sales (I think they do a car wash or something as well). And the boys don't sell many wreaths or much popcorn.

It can be a matter of finding the right troop. Same with Girl Scouts. Since the troops are volunteer led, the things that happen are what is important to the people who volunteer. I try and get my girls camping once a year - I think that's an important part of Scouts. The other troop in my school - the mom in charge doesn't like camping - her girls have never been.

 

[monorailsilver]

My son is in his 2nd year/2nd grade.

It is $50 to join & pretty much that is it with a few things here & there that we have to pay OOP for. He loves it because is isn't a Girl Scout meeting that I have dragged him to for the past 3 years.

We typically have one den meeting a month for about 90 minutes. Last year we had only 6 scouts in our den but this year we have 10. There are only about 40-45 kids in his grade & I should say in our town we only have one elementary school.

Our den leader hasn't collected any money but we try to use what we have at home-if I have something I bring it if she needs it, etc... She works at Walmart so she does get a discount on what she buys (not much) & last year I did give her $20 just for the heck of it & I need to do so this year as well.

We are probably not your typical Pack & do everything by the book but as close to as possible.

Since Sept, we have had 2 den meetings. For our pack we have done-a camp out (October), 2 Veteran's Day ceremonies (one at the town green & one before our HS football game), a hike, bowling (that was last weekend & the scout was free & anyone else was $5 for shoes & 2 games). There was a basketball game too but we didn't go because we aren't big time basketball fans but that was pricey.

We are not required to go to everything but if we can we do go. Other then the bowling we didn't have to pay for any of the above.

We just did a wreath fundraiser & the pack gets 50% from sales.

Upcoming events are-basketball jamboree at our elementary school-(free) but they do give out a basketball to a winner of something. We are going to the Mark Twain house & that is in 2 weeks but I think we have to pay around $10/adult & $5 per child.

There is a Christmas/holiday party which is in our elementary school (free) but we have to bring cans for the soup kitchen. Everyone brings something to eat.

In Jan or Feb there is a hockey game (again we aren't going because it is too pricey & no one likes hockey in my house). I think they are going to do another bowling event. We go to the Eli Whitney museum in January for those that need help carving their pinewood derby cars. There is a guy there that cuts it & then the kids with help get to use the other machines (drill press, etc..).

We have the derby in Feb?? which is held at our Ambulance barn (free). We have our Blue & Gold & we all bring some food which is held at the Ambulance barn or possibly at one of our town parks so the kids can run outside vs running in the barn (they go a bit hog wild).

The pack pays for most of the activities or they are free. They also try to plan things around soccer, basketball & baseball seasons as much as they can.

So basically you don't have to go to everything or do every thing that costs money. You can do things as a family to get his requirements in as well vs going with the pack/den. As far as the meetings, I think that is a bit much, especially for that age.