Cub Scouts = Expensive!

[JamesMom]

My DS6 has joined Tiger Cub Scouts. We went to the rally at our Church to sign up. The literature said Cub Scouting was cheaper than seasonal sports being only $77 for the year including membership fee, dues and camping fees. Plus about $60 for a uniform.

Great.

What didn't tell you is that it really costs:
$ 77 for dues, membership fees. (leader fee paid by pack)
$ 90 to completely outfit the kid with patches and a handbook & pack t-shirt
$ 100 to outfit the newly recruited Asst. Den Leader (yours truly)
$ 30 for manuals and training for new leader
$ 50 for basic supplies (crafts, folders etc) for den meetings - some maybe reimburse via dues
$ 20 for fishing gear for Pack fishing trip in Sept (don't own a pole, bait, etc)
$ 200 for camping gear on Pack trip in Oct (tent, sleeping bags, mesh kit, etc) for camping trip (we don't own this stuff either)

So far Cub scouts is costing me close to $600 and the Popcorn sales start next weekend. I am sure we will have to contribute to the goal of $150 in sales for our scout.

I am a believer in scouting (having been a Gold Award Girl Scout in my youth), but I don't recall it being so expensive. I know that most of this stuff will last for years, but it is a big initial investment!

Thanks for listening.

 

[MrsPete]

This is a lot of money, BUT much of it went for equipment. Hopefully the fishing rod, camping equipment, etc. will be useful to him for years. I don't know how many years boys stay at the cub level, but I'd assume the uniform would last him a couple years.

 

[bwmmfan]

I am now on my third son is scouting. It is by far an inexpensive venture. There is always some event like camping to participate in.

Have fun with it and remember you don't have to do it all.

 

[sk!mom]

I don't recall it being so expensive.

That's because your parents were paying!


Sorry, I couldn't resist. As a parent, I feel your financial pain.

 

[Belle5]

I remember when my first three sons and DH joined BSA at the same time. I thought we were going to DIE! Four sets of uniforms, three handbooks, four sets of hiking boots, four high quality back-packs, etc...We also started one of the boys into Cub Scouts that same year. DH had just been laid-off and newly re-employed (at a 30%pay loss) Still, it was one of the best investments we ever made and several items we purchased that first year we have reused with the younger boys. (Did I mention three winter camps and three summer camps that first year?????)

 

[Duchie]

I just got "recruited" to be my son's assistant Webelos den leader. My uniform wasn't anywhere near that expensive. But then again, I refused to by the pants. I told the cubmaster that I was NOT going to pay that much for pants that looked that bad on me.

Yes, it's more expensive than they tell you it's going to be. But I will say that it has tended to be less than Girl Scouts. My DD is now on her 3rd uniform vest (she's a Cadet) and the Cub Scout activities seem to be less expensive than the Girl Scout ones.

 

[minniebeth]

I agree it does really add up and then when you put the work of fundraisers on top of it, it can get a little daunting. My suggestion is in the future to find gear at a second hand shop or even older scouts that no longer use their gear. (They pass on uniforms, etc. too many times in our Packs/Troops.)

As DS started getting older, some of his campouts and trips were part of BDay, holiday gifts, etc. since they really started adding up. And or the boys can start earning money by doing chores, etc. to contribute to paying for their activities. We found that DS had a sense of pride when contributing.

As expensive as it may be, I think that the scouting program is so worth it, it is an investment in your son that may one day be priceless....

 

[Belle5]

As expensive as it may be, I think that the scouting program is so worth it, it is an investment in your son that may one day be priceless....

I couldn't agree more!!!!!

 

[twinmommyks]

Another scouting family here. DS8 is a cub scout and dh is his den leader. DS13 is a Life Scout in Boy Scouts, has been on (three) week long camping trips to other states and is currently working on his Eagle Scout Project and DH is Asst. Scoutmaster for his troop. So we know the expense of scouts, but I do say that it is well worth it.

When I look at the experiences my ds13 has had because of of being a scout, it is so worth it. He has camped in the Black Hills and been to Mt. Rushmore, he has camped in Wyoming, and just this summer he has camped in the Rocky Mountains, went rock climbing there and white water rafting. He goes on local campouts with his troop and knows how to cook, shop, organize, clean up, set up tents, is first aid certified, just to name a few of the skills he has learned because of scouts. He has been a camp counselor for the cub scout camps and has great leadership skills and speaks in front of a group better than I can.

When ds13 started in cub scouts, I never realized what a great experience it would be for him. I hope that you receive the same return on your investment, because it has been well worth it for my sons.

Bren

 

[spare+a_pair]

Hmmmm ... I also think it depends on your Pack/unit.

We have been in Scouts for 4 years, and our pack is fully funded by popcorn sales. I have been the popcorn kernal for 3 years and each year we have made $8,000+ in popcorn commission.

The only thing that we pay for are our uniform shirts (about $30 every 2 years) (our pack does not do the pants), entry fee to pushmobile ($10), recharter fee ($12), and camping equipment (and food for campouts).

We do not have dues. Our pack pays for every boy to receive a Pine Wood Derby car, all patches and awards/belt loops, all leader trainings, Blue & Gold Banquets, Camp Out Fees (including one meal), Summer Activities, and Graduations. The pack also buys each boy a gift at Graduation - each boy receives his hat, scarf, slide, and book for the next year. Webelos receive really cool backpacks and other camping gear as they transition into Boy Scouts.

Many units in our area do no operate this way. I would tell you to "shop around" different packs to see who has the best program and what the different costs are.

On a side note - I'm glad to see you volunteering! My DH is our sons Den Leader and he is also the Pack Committee Chairman. I have stepped down as Popcorn Kernal this year because I am the District Popcorn Kernal and couldn't manage both. We both know how hard it is to get parents involved, but we know our son loves us to be there and scouting is such an AMAZING program!

 

[MousekeMommy]

As a former Gold Award recipient myself, I can't believe that YOU DON'T HAVE CAMPING GEAR???!!!!!
Just joking with you, mine was mostly long gone when my son hit tiger cubs. That was last year. (Uh, how long ago was GS? Seems like yesterday . . . )I do have to tell you, though, that I wouldn't trade this past year's experiences that I have shared with my son for anything in the world!!! Sharing the "scouting" that I know and love with him has been priceless, and he has new respect for mom, who can construct and light a bonfire in the rain when the dads failed, and with only one match!!!!! (Sorry, boys, but it looks like I was the better camper
Honestly, on the other side of this, $600 seems pretty cheap to me for the bonding that we have shared. (Perhaps by "bonding" with our sons now, we won't have to pay out in "counseling" later???) And this year will be less expensive (although my growing "weed" will need a new pair of scout pants, and of course a new hat and scarf

 

[a1tinkfans]

Well, first, good for you to volunteer for such an amazing opportunity for your son.

Former den leader and popcorn chair and pack event coordinator here and even though my own ds did not continue, I think it was a great experience for our family!

We used to ask parents to launder and save things like hats t shirts and pants to be given to the next group, when possible. It can add up. Our pack paid for all pins, etc and the blue and gold banquet and the derby and car for everyone. I agree with another poster that to depends on the pack.

Though as I said earlier my son decided not to continue, three of "my boys" are still going strong and headed towards their Eagle Scout....so proud to see their accomplishments..such great kids...after being with them for those first few years it is so nice to see them continue.....
Best of luck to your son and You too!

 

[MousekeMommy]

oh, yeah, and I am sooooo with the post that mentioned that she wouldn't pay for those terrible uniform pants that looked bad on her!!!!!!

I haven't seen a woman yet who didn't look awful in them . . .

however, if someone finds a source for the boy scout emblem earrings, LET ME KNOW!!! I've heard that they haven't made them in a while, and I want a pair. My mom had them to wear with all of her mother's pins (my brother is an eagle, my dad was an eagle, a scout master, and a commissioner), and I have seen some older "scout moms" with them, but they haven't been available for a while, from what I understand . . .
I may just have to have them made from some pins . . .

 

[ceecee]

I know the Girl Scouts have help for people who can't afford it, they will pay for the uniforms, camp, etc. I never had to use it but a co leader of mine did for her other troop.

 

[mamalle]

yeah I didnt realize it either...

bought a shirt, pants/zipper of into shorts/ tie/slide and 6 badges and a book for $70

my dues were $7.00 since we already subscribe to boys life

Not sure about anything else besides paying $10 per month- which we found out the other evening..

we are having two fundraisers- spaghetti dinner and something else is what my husband told me.. Im sure there will be more money spent though..

we already have our camping/fishing stuff since that is a staple for dh ..

 

[pilgrimage]

Enjoy those golden memories with your son. For camping gear in
the future, would craigslist or a bulletin board for a camping association
offer used stuff for a discount?

 

[Nevergrow'nup]

As a mother of and Eagle scout and soon to be life scout, both my DS's started as tiger cubs. The experiences and lessons they have learned through scouts is PRICELESS!!! The confidence in themselves in any situation is been instilled over many years. They have been able to do so much that they never would have for less money. They have been skiing, kayaking, white water rafting biking one week in the Florida Keys, snowshoeing in the white mountains, etc.

As a Mom, some of these things, I would never do, they are able to go off with their dad or on their own and have a blast!!

Our troop will collect any gear anyone has grown out of or no longer needs and give it to anyone who needs it. Also, if you need and gear you don't have or can't buy, we borrow from within the troop. We have let others borrow sleeping bags, bikes, kayaks, etc.

The scouting community looks out for their own! Welcome to the "family!"

 

[Good Ol Gal]

I have two DS who want to join scouting this year.

DS10 and DS8. I have no idea what the costs involved are and am a little nervous myself.

I am a former GS and have been a leader of my DD's troop for 3 years now so we have camping stuff thank goodness!

I have tried to talk to my boys into joining for the past two years and am excited that they are finally ready to do it!

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

I have 3 boys in scouts this year. I have gotten uniform shirts off of ebay, I also buy a little big so they can wear them for awhile (plus they can wear shirts under them so I don't need to buy long sleeves). I tried putting an ad on craigslist for a shirt this year, but haven't had any luck so I think I'm going to have to buy it new. Our pack doesn't require uniform pants so I don't buy those either. We pass down caps, neckerchiefs and slides. We already had some camping equipment, some things we've acquired over the years, mostly from goodwill. We also give some of the equipment for Christmas gifts. My fees this year look like this:

registration: $30 ($10 apiece)
new Webelo shirt: $25 (I think)
Webelo book: $9
Bear book: $9

Those are the only fees I know of so far. Our pack uses popcorn sales to help fund alot of our activities, the most I had to pay for camping last year was $7 for food.

 

[Colleen27]

A lot of it depends on where you're startinng from and how the pack handles things. Ours only expects the boys & leaders to have the top half of the uniform, so we save a few bucks by not buying the ugly pants. And as a camping family, we already had the tent and fishing gear and all of that. Our pack covers leader manuals and training out of fundraiser proceeds.

Of all my kids' activities, scouting is one of the cheapest. Sports are much more, with registration fees that hover around the $100 mark plus cleats, bats, gloves, shin guards, pads, mouthguards, dance shoes, leotards, costume fees, cheer shoes, etc. Between my two, we do baseball, softball, football, soccer, dance, cheer, horseback riding, swim lessons, scouts and 4H (not all at once, obviously!). I wish all those things were as relatively inexpensive as scouting!