Golden Spread Council > Understanding the New Council Membership Fee

Understanding the New Council Membership Fee

Why a Council Membership Fee

The Golden Spread Council (GSC) diligently works to provide a safe and high-quality Scouting program to our families in a cost-effective manner and is very blessed to have incredible community support and two amazing camp properties, Camp Don Harrington and Camp M.K. Brown. Over the next several years we will be investing in these assets through key projects to improve bathrooms, shelter, and much more. Camp Don will have more shade structures throughout camp, additional bathrooms, and will host exciting new program areas in Cub World. Camp M.K. Brown will be converting the existing shower house into private bathrooms with showers, adding additional storage, and a classroom center that will also serve as a tornado shelter. This is a very exciting time in the Golden Spread Council as we look to give you the best resources possible to implement Scouting’s outdoor program.

New and improved facilities will bring additional costs in upkeep, maintenance, and insurance. Up until now, the Golden Spread Council has been able to avoid the implementation of a Local Council Membership Fee. We have done this through many sources of revenue generation. Despite the efforts of countless volunteers and staff who have worked tirelessly to maintain a financially sustainable Council, we have experienced a decrease in annual support, including revenue from outside agencies and Friends of Scouting. Additionally, like all businesses we have experienced a significant increase in overhead costs due to inflation and property insurance.

Currently, 93.5% of local councils nationwide charge a council fee. In an effort to best serve the Scouts of the Golden Spread Council, we will begin a local council fee of $45 per youth and $10 per adult, to be assessed alongside the National Membership fee. This fee will be implemented on January 1st of 2026 and will coincide with your National Registration fee. This fee will supplement, not replace, the ongoing fundraising efforts of the Golden Spread Council. We encourage all Units to take advantage of Council organized fundraisers like camp cards and popcorn, which will help keep any type of membership fee at a minimum.  

Our community needs Scouting now more than ever; we know that your involvement in our program is an acknowledgment of that. Scouting continues to be the best investment you can make in a young person. We look forward to continuing our long-standing tradition of serving our local Chartered Partners in the implementation of their youth program.  Again, thank you for all you do to support the Scouting program and the young people in our communities.

Exceptions and Financial Aid

  • Cost will not be a barrier for any young person who wants to join or continue in Scouting.
  • Starting in January, we will offer the option for youth and adult members to pay the registration and membership fee in full, or to split it up in payments over four months with a minimal processing fee.
  • For new Scouts, we will continue to offer registration assistance for families in need.
  • For renewing Scouts, we will continue to provide fundraising opportunities through our camp card and popcorn sales.
  • We will also have registration assistance available for renewing families facing unique circumstances and are in need of financial support.

Click Here to Request Aid

Membership Payment Options via ACH or Credit Card

The Golden Spread Council’s true cost per Scout is over $700 per year, with 87% of all annual expenses invested directly into program costs. The introduction of this fee, along with many other Council efforts, allows the Golden Spread Council to maintain a sustainable funding model for years to come.

National and Unit Membership Fees

  • The Local Council fee will be in addition to the annual National Membership fee. The Golden Spread Council does not directly receive any of the National BSA membership fees.
  • Units may have additional fees or dues to pay for a Unit’s programs and activities; those fees also remain with the Unit, and do not go to the Golden Spread Council. Many units also fundraise for these fees and activities, we encourage units to continue those efforts.
Click Here to view the signed letter which was sent via mail and email

Annual Membership Fees (Cub Scouts|Scouts BSA|Venturing|Sea Scouts)

Total: $130

How the Golden Spread Council Supports Each Scout’s Journey

From a child’s first day in Scouting to their Eagle Scout Court of Honor, the Golden Spread Council maximizes our resources to provide each Scout with a safe, educational, and engaging Scouting experience.

Recruitment Materials

Recruitment Materials

Before a child joins Scouting, GSC distributes recruitment materials, trains volunteers, and shares the stories and successes of Scouting to local families.

Adminstrative Paperwork

Adminstrative Paperwork

When a child joins Scouting, GSC handles all the administrative paperwork; processing applications, transmitting fees, and assisting with online processing.

Background Checks

Background Checks

GSC performs background checks and ensures that all Adult Volunteers complete Youth Protection Training (YPT) on an annual basis. Additionally, GSC provides liability insurance and handles all incident reports to keep our Scouts safe.

Merit Badge Applications

Merit Badge Applications

In order for Scouts to earn merit badges, the GSC must process all Merit Badge counselor applications and keep their profiles up to date with the badges offered throughout our Council footprint. The GSC also offers a handful of events that offer opportunities for our Scouts to earn multiple merit badges at once, such as summer camp, MBU, and Merit Badge opportunities with local businesses.

Events and Services

Events and Services

GSC makes it possible for Districts to offer events and services, such as: - District Day Camps and Camporees - Pinewood Derbies - Newsletters, Websites, and Social Media

MY.SCOUTING Records

MY.SCOUTING Records

As a Scout advances, GSC helps parents access their Scout’s profile in My.Scouting so they can stay involved in their child’s progress and growth in the program. Further, our administrative staff works diligently to ensure all our Scouts’ records are up to date.

Scout Shop

Scout Shop

The GSC offers a Scout Shop for our families. This allows easy access to uniforms, awards, camping essentials, and much more!

Scout Service Center

Scout Service Center

The GSC also maintains the Scout Service Center in Amarillo, TX to deliver services, store materials, and fulfill the functions required of any nonprofit organization.

Camps CDH & MKB

Camps CDH & MKB

The Golden Spread Council provides extensive camping adventures at two council camps: Camp MK Brown and Camp Don Harrington. More than just for summer camp, our two camps provide year-round programming and rental opportunities.

Adventure Opportunities

Adventure Opportunities

Every year, the Golden Spread Council secures the opportunity for a contingent to visit Philmont Scout Ranch, a staple pilgrimage in the Scouting community. Additionally, when the National Scout Jamborees come around, the GSC provides the opportunity for Scouts to attend as part of the Council contingent.

Training Opportunities

Training Opportunities

The Golden Spread Council offers advanced training opportunities for Adult Volunteers (Wood Badge) and Youth Participants (National Youth Leadership Training) on a regular basis, offering NYLT at the start of each summer and Wood Badge every two years! Additionally, GSC hosts Roundtables every month for our adult volunteers!

Financial Aid Options

Each year, all Scouting participants are required to renew their membership. Starting in January, we will offer the option for youth and adult members to pay the registration and membership fee in full, or to split it up in payments over four months with a minimal processing fee. For new Scouts, we will continue to offer registration assistance for families in need. For renewing Scouts, we will continue to provide fundraising opportunities through our camp card and popcorn sales. We will also have registration assistance available for renewing families facing unique circumstances and are in need of financial support. No youth will be turned away for an inability to pay the Council Membership Fee. The Golden Spread Council has always provided financial assistance to those in need and will continue to do so for the following services:

Local Council Membership Fee Financial Aid

National Scouting America Membership Fee

Camp MK Brown Summer Camp Campership

Local Council Membership fee allows our team time to support the Scouting program through providing consistent revenue. No youth will be turned away for an inability to pay the Fee. The Council has always provided financial aid when needed and will continue to do so.

Annual Scouting America Membership fees, determined by the National office, are crucial to the continuation of Scouting in the United States. However, these funds go directly to the National Office of the BSA, not local Councils, such as the Baltimore Area Council.

Participation costs to attend Summer Camp at MKB go towards providing a quality program throughout the week. This includes food, supplies, staff training, and more. We never want money to get in the way of a Scout’s opportunity to experience a summer at Camp MK Brown! 

Click Here to Request Aid

Click Here to Request Aid

Click Here to Request Aid

While the details of how financial support will be requested and provided are still being finalized, our commitment to families is to make requesting support a simple process. Financial support will be available for the new Council Membership Fee and will continue to be available for National membership fees and camperships for MKB Summer Camp and District Day Camps. GSC remains committed to raising the funds needed through various fundraising and revenue generation mechanisms, to ensure Scouting is available to every youth who wants to be a Scout.

How to Support Scouting

As a nonprofit, the Golden Spread Council relies on the generosity of our community to continue to keep our doors open. Though this Council fee will help to offset the cost of running the Scouting program, it does not fully cover Council operating expenses. The Golden Spread Council will continue to fundraise to close the expense gap, including the continuation of our fundraising events. If you would like to make a charitable, tax-deductible donation to ensure that every young person who wants to experience the Scouting program has the opportunity, please visit Support Scouting – Golden Spread Council

  • The Golden Spread Council receives $0 of the $85 National Membership Fees.
  • Annual camp maintenance, utilities, equipment rental, and insurance costs have increased by over $90,000 over the past four years
  • Annual direct support from outside agencies has decreased by over $60,000 annually
  • Direct support through “Friends of Scouting” has decreased from $500k to $450K between 2019 and 2024, a 10% decrease.
    • Participation in “Family Friends of Scouting” has decreased to 2.1%:
      • FY 2019: 227 Scouting families supported Family FOS for $22,315
      • FY 2024: 37 Scouting families supported Family FOS for $4,955
      • FY Current: 21 Scouting families have supported Family FOS for $4,314
  • Beginning January 1st, 2026:
    • Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturing, & Sea Scouts:
      • $130/year: $85 National Registration Fee + $45 Council Membership Fee
        • Payment plan of $35/month for 4 months will be available
    • Explorers
      • $95/year: $50 National Registration Fee + $45 Council Membership Fee
        • Payment plan of $26.25/month for 4 months will be available
    • Adults:
      • $75/year: $65 National Registration Fee + $10 Council Membership Fee
        • Payment plan of $20/month for 4 months will be made available
    • Merit Badge Counselors & Camp Staff:
      • $25/year: $25 National Registration Fee + $0 Council Membership Fee
    • Unit Charter Fee
      • $100/year: $100 National Registration Fee + $0 Council Membership Fee
  • The Golden Spread Council Staff and Executive Board will remain 100% supportive of the Friends of Scouting campaign to support our Scouts and the Services of the GSC.
  • This Council Membership Fee will not eliminate our family’s ability to make a free will / charitable gift, and we will continue to encourage this participation.
  • To assist families in need, the GSC offers 50% Commission on camp cards and 30% commission on popcorn. Selling camp cards and popcorn, while a fundraiser to assist families, also teaches valuable life skills, including the value of paying your own way.
  • No family will be deprived of the opportunity to be in Scouting due to the Council Membership or National Registration Fee.  
  • We will continue to offer free camping at Camp Don Harrington and Camp M.K. Brown to registered members of the Golden Spread Council.
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