Once you and your Scouts have planned a year of Scouting fun, it’s time for the less-fun part.

It’s time to figure out how to pay for it all.

Creating a budget for your pack, troop, team, post, ship or crew is an essential part of every well-managed, well-financed unit.


Asking families for money every week is discouraged. You’re better off figuring out the total cost for the complete year up front. No surprises.

Today we’ll outline the five-step process to planning an annual budget, list what expenses to include and discuss possible sources of income for your unit.

Create a budget in five steps

1. Plan your unit’s complete annual program, so you’ll know where you’ll spend your money.
2. Develop a budget that includes enough income to pay for your unit’s annual program.
3. Identify all sources of income, including dues, and determine the amount of product (popcorn, for example) that will need to be sold per youth member to reach the income goal.
4. Identify service projects the unit might complete to bring in income.
5. Get commitments from parents and youth.

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Expenses to include in your budget

This list includes almost everything that might cost your unit money over the course of a year.
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• Registration fees. The national registration fee is $24 per member — adults and Scouts.
• Unit liability insurance fee. Units are required to pay an annual unit liability insurance fee of $40, submitted with the unit’s annual charter application.
• Boys’ Life magazine. The official publication of the Boy Scouts of America is available to all members at $12 — half the newsstand rate. Every Scout should subscribe to Boys’ Life because it’s fun, keeps him reading and enhances your unit’s monthly program.
• Unit accident and liability insurance. Protecting parents from the financial hardship of high medical bills from an unfortunate accident is a must for all involved in Scouting. Ask your local council for details.
• Awards, advancement and recognition. Costs for Cub Scout adventure loops, Boy Scout merit badges, Venturing awards and more should be built into your budget.
•  Activities. Typically, activities like the Pinewood Derby, Cub Scout field trips, district or council events, high-adventure trips, and campouts aren’t included in the unit’s annual dues. They’re paid by families on a per-event basis. Consider including some or all of those costs in your unit’s annual budget.
• Camp. Cub Scout day camp, Cub Scout resident camp, family camping, Boy Scout summer camp, and a big Venturing or Sea Scouting trip. These special Scouting events — often the highlight of a young person’s year — should go in the budget.
• Program materials. Den meeting supplies, Den Meeting in a Box kits, craft tools and supplies, a U.S. flag, unit flags, camping equipment, videos and books, ceremonial props and more.
• Training. Adult and youth leader training should be considered an integral annual expense. For example, some units budget to send a certain number of adults to Wood Badge each year and ask Scouters to apply for these spots.
• Uniforms. In most units, the individual pays for the uniform. But you might consider whether uniform elements — or the full uniform itself — could be part of the unit budget.
• Reserve fund. The “rainy-day fund” might be established by a gift or loan from the chartered organization, by members of the committee, or by a unit money-earning project.
• Other expenses. A gift to the World Friendship Fund, meeting refreshments and anything else on which your unit might spend money.

Sources of income

One well-planned fundraiser per year, such as selling popcorn, will prevent having to ask families for extra money every week. And it will keep your young people from getting worn out by too much fundraising.

In some units, an additional fundraiser in the spring adds needed income.

Notes to remember:

• Units are not allowed to solicit money by requesting contributions from individuals or the community.
• Except for council-sponsored fundraisers, all fundraising projects require the submission of the Unit Money-Earning Application, No. 34427, to the local council.

Here are some resources to help you along your way.

​The Triple Crown of National High Adventure award was created in 1995 and later the Grand Slam of National High Adventure award was created in 2014 by the Charles L. Sommers Alumni Association, Inc. to both promote the Boy Scouts of America’s National High Adventure programs and help identify those Scouts with a thirst for high adventure who may be interested in serving on the staff of Northern Tier High Adventure Bases and other National High Adventure Bases. 

See the Award Requirements page for a list of qualified programs
Download the printable Fact Sheet and Worksheet (PDF)

The Boy Scouts of America’s National High Adventure Bases are: Northern Tier High Adventure Bases (Northern Tier), Philmont Scout Ranch (Philmont), Florida National High Adventure Sea Base (Florida Sea Base), and Paul R. Christen National High Adventure Base at The Summit (Paul R. Christen). 

In April 1996, Sam Wampler, then the Director of the Florida Sea Base, awarded the first five Triple Crown of National High Adventure awards to members of Explorer Post 525, from Edgewood, Washington.  

The Triple Crown of National High Adventure has gained significant stature over the years, making it one of the most highly sought program awards. It gained additional notoriety when Joseph Csatari portrayed the Triple Crown of National High Adventure on the Eagle Scout’s uniform in his “100 Years of Eagle Scouts” painting released in 2012.

Recipients may only earn each award once and receive an award patch reflecting the National High Adventure Bases where they participated in a high adventure program. The symbols on the patch are a loon for Northern Tier, bull for Philmont, dolphin for Florida Sea Base, and black bear for Paul R. Christen.

Triple Crown of National High Adventure Award

​The Charles L. Sommers Alumni Association, Inc.in conjunction with the Boy Scouts of America have authorized the issuance of a special patch to honor those who have participated in at least one qualifying high adventure program at three of the BSA’s four National High Adventure Bases. 

Recipients of the award receive one Triple Crown (3-inch) award patch reflecting the three National High Adventure Bases where they participated in a high adventure program. An optional large (6-inch) Triple Crown of National High Adventure award patch is available for purchase. There is no limit on the variations and quantities that may be ordered of the large patch.

Grand Slam of National High Adventure Award The Charles L. Sommers Alumni Association, Inc.in conjunction with the Boy Scouts of America have authorized the issuance of a special patch to honor those who have participated in at least one qualifying high adventure program at all four of the BSA’s National High Adventure Bases.

Recipients of the award receive one Grand Slam (3.5-inch) award patch. Both the Grand Slam of National High Adventure Award and Triple Crown of National High Adventure optional large (6-inch) patches are available for purchase. There is no limit on the variations and quantities that may be ordered of the large patch.

The Triple Crown of National High Adventure and Grand Slam of National High Adventure awards can be earned by youth and adults who have participated in qualified high adventure programs at the Boy Scouts of America’s National High Adventure Bases: Northern Tier High Adventure Bases (Northern Tier), Philmont Scout Ranch (Philmont), Florida National High Adventure Sea Base (Florida Sea Base), and Paul R. Christen National High Adventure Base at The Summit (Paul R. Christen). 

View Qualified Programs List (PDF)A complete list of qualified high adventure programs at each of the National High Adventure Bases is available in the qualified programs list document. 

Each award can only be earned once in a lifetime. The recipient will receive an award patch reflecting the National High Adventure Bases they attended. While only one award patch can be earned with each award, applicants are allowed to order all variations and quantities of the optional large (6-inch) patch.

Triple Crown of National High Adventure AwardAward applicants must have participated in one qualifying high adventure program at three of the Boy Scouts of America’s National High Adventure Bases. 
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Grand Slam of National High Adventure AwardAward applicants must participate in one qualifying high adventure program at all four of the Boy Scouts of America’s National High Adventure Bases.

Roundtable kicks off again this week. After the summer off from Roundtable, why should you go?

What is roundtable?

Is roundtable a foreign word to you? Here’s how the BSA defines this important part of being a Scout leader:
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Roundtable is a form of commissioner service and supplemental training for volunteers at the unit level. The objectives of roundtables are to provide leaders with program ideas; information on policy and events; and training opportunities. It is a forum for sharing experiences and enjoying fun and fellowship with other Scout leaders. When skillfully executed, the roundtable experience will inspire, motivate, and enable unit leaders to provide a stronger program for their Scouts.


What resources are available?

The BSA offers a Roundtable Planning Guide each year. That makes your job of planning or preparing for a roundtable much easier.

​But what's the point?

I can find most anything I want by searching online, do I really need to attend Roundtable? Here are some reasons why you should attend Roundtable.

• Lots of information gets passed. New BSA policies, rules, guidelines, current topics, issues, or changes, awards, events, campouts, etc. is usually discussed at a Roundtable.
• Training is offered. Whether it is YPT, Merit Badge Counselor, or even Special Needs Awareness Training, Roundtable is a good place to offer and receive needed training. It is also a great place to discuss training needs and pull resources from other units to conduct or hold training in cooperation with the Training Chairperson.
• it’s sort of a support group for scouting’s leaders.  A roundtable has a give and take - you can ask questions or volunteer to give a presentation.  You can discuss an issue or topic in a open forum, amongst leaders with varying experience and training. 
• Great place to network. Roundtable has attendees from various units in your district, with varying degrees of scouting experience. Units can work together to create joint activities, distributing the workload. There are numerous benefits to adding to your Scouting contact list.

Do you attend Roundtable? What are some reasons why you do or do not attend Roundtable?

Program Features consists of 48 themed modules to help make program planning easier for troop leaders. The mix of topics—outdoor, sports, health and safety, citizenship and personal development, STEM, and arts and hobbies—provide the kind of variety, adventure, and increasing challenge every unit needs to keep members coming back while also facilitating advancement.

Emergency preparedness means being prepared for all kinds of emergencies, able to respond in time of crisis to save lives and property and to help a community—or even a nation—return to normal life after a disaster occurs. To encourage Scouts of all ages to be prepared for emergency situations, the BSA has approved an Emergency Preparedness Award program for members of all ages.

When a member has fulfilled the requirements, a completed application is submitted to the council. Upon approval, the Emergency Preparedness Award, No. 19-304 is awarded. The pin may be worn on civilian clothing or on the uniform, centered on the left pocket flap. The award may be earned more than once; for instance, as a young person advances through the ranks and is capable of more complex preparedness activities, but only one pin may be worn.

It is a challenge to be prepared for emergencies in our world of man-made and natural phenomena. The Emergency Preparedness BSA program is planned to inspire the desire and foster the skills to meet this challenge in our youth and adult members so that they can participate effectively in this crucial service to their families, communities, and nation.
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The emergencies of today's world demand more than ever that our young people and adults be trained as individuals and as units to meet emergency situations. The importance of this training is not new to the Boy Scouts of America, as Scouting has always taught youth to be prepared for all types of emergencies. Since Scouting began in the United States, Scouts have responded to the needs of their communities and nation in time of crisis.

When an emergency occurs, it affects every youth and adult member of BSA in the immediate area, creating the responsibility to respond first, as an individual; second, as a member of a family; and third, as a member of a Scouting unit serving the neighborhood and community. Because of these multiple levels of responsibility, the Emergency Preparedness BSA plan includes training for individual, family, and unit preparedness. Special training in all three areas is a prerequisite for BSA members conducting any type of emergency service in their communities.

Individual Preparedness
The primary emphasis of this initial step in the program is to train members to be mentally and emotionally prepared to act promptly and to develop in them the ability to take care of themselves. Teaching young people to know and be able to use practical survival skills when needed is an important part of individual preparedness.

Family Preparedness
Since family groups will be involved in most emergency situations, this part of the plan includes basic instructions to help every Scouting family prepare for emergencies. Families will work together to learn basic emergency skills and how to react when faced with fires, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, explosions, warning signals, fallout protection, terrorism attacks, and other emergency situations.

Community Preparedness
The program fosters the desire to help others and teaches members how to serve their communities in age-appropriate ways. By taking the age-appropriate First Aid for Children course (Tiger Cubs) and Basic Aid Training (Wolf and Bear Cub Scouts), these boys help ease the burden on the family and community resources. Through all Scouting ranks and for adult members, the responsibilities and skills for community service increase with the members' maturity.

All emergency activities carried out by Scouting units must be appropriate for the ages and abilities of the young people involved. Units should participate only under the supervision of their own leaders, and plans for unit help must be coordinated with community agencies responsible for disaster preparedness.

When a member has fulfilled the requirements, a completed application is submitted to the council. Upon approval, an Emergency Preparedness pin is awarded. The pin may be worn on civilian clothing or on the uniform, centered on the left pocket flap. The award may be earned more than once; for instance, as a young person advances through the ranks and is capable of more complex preparedness activities, but only one pin may be worn.

​Individual Emergency Preparedness Award Requirements​

Tiger Requirements

1. Cover a family fire plan and drill, and what to do if separated from the family.
2. Discuss a family emergency plan with the family.
3. Create, plan, and practice summoning help during an emergency.
4. Take a nationally recognized first-aid course geared toward children such as American Red Cross First Aid for Children Today (FACT).
5. Join a safe kids program such as McGruff Child Identification, Internet Safety, or Safety at Home.
6. Show and tell your family household what you have learned about preparing for emergencies.

Wolf Requirements

1. Create a checklist to keep your home safe.
2. Discuss a family emergency plan with the family.
3. Create, plan, and practice summoning help during an emergency.
4. Learn emergency skills and care for choking, wounds, nosebleeds, falls, and animal bites. The emergency skills should include responses for fire safety, poisoning, water accidents, substance abuse, and more.
5. Join a safe kids program such as the McGruff Child Identification program. Put on a training program for your family or den on stranger awareness, Internet safety, or safety at home.
6. Make a presentation to your family on what you have learned about preparing for emergencies.

Bear Requirements

1. Create, plan, and practice summoning help during an emergency.
2. Learn how to shut off utilities to your home in an emergency.
3. Learn simple rescue techniques.
4. Learn emergency skills and care for choking, wounds, nosebleeds, falls, and animal bites. The emergency skills should include responses for fire safety, poisoning, water accidents, substance abuse, and more.
5. Put together a family emergency kit for use in the home.
6. Organize a safe kids program such as the McGruff Child Identification program. Put on a training program for your family or den on stranger awareness, Internet safety, or safety at home.
7. Make a small display or give a presentation for your family or den on what you have learned about preparing for emergencies.

Webelos Scout Requirements

1. Learn rescue techniques.
2. Build a family emergency kit, with an adult family member participating in the project.
3. Take a first-aid course.
4. Learn to survive extreme weather situations.
5. Learn about stranger awareness, Internet safety, or safety at home.
6. Give a presentation to your den on preparing for emergencies.

Boy Scout and Varsity Scout Requirements

1. Participate in creating an emergency plan for your home and for your troop or team's Scouting activities. Be sure you know the details of both emergency plans.
2. Earn the First Aid or Emergency Preparedness merit badge.
3. With your troop or team, including its adult leaders, participate in emergency preparedness training conducted by community emergency preparedness agencies.
4. Complete IS-100.b, Introduction to Incident Command System (see http://training.fema.gov/IS/NIMS.asp ).

Venturer Requirements

1. Complete a nationally recognized first-aid course or complete a nationally recognized Wilderness First Aid course.
2. With your crew, including its adult leaders, participate in emergency preparedness training coordinated by community emergency preparedness agencies.
3. Complete IS-100.b, Introduction to Incident Command System (see http://training.fema.gov/IS/NIMS.asp ).
4. Plan and execute an emergency preparedness training event for a pack, troop or team.

Unit Volunteer Scouter Requirements
This award is available to all registered Scouters who serve a unit, including all leaders and committee members.
Do any three of the following:

1. Provide input to develop or improve an emergency preparedness program plan and kit for your home and be sure all family members know the plan.
2. Participate actively in preparing an emergency action plan for your Scouting unit meeting place. (This includes all locations where you might have a meeting.)
3. Put together a unit emergency kit to be kept at your unit meeting location. (This includes all locations where you might have a meeting.)
4. Take a basic first-aid/CPR/AED course.
5. Participate as an active volunteer in a community agency responsible for disaster preparedness.
6. Complete IS-100.b, Introduction to Incident Command System (see http://training.fema.gov/IS/NIMS.asp ).

Council/District Volunteer Scouter Requirements
Do any three of the following:

1. Provide input to develop or improve an emergency preparedness program plan and kit for your council or district.
2. Take a basic first-aid/CPR/AED course.
3. Participate as an active volunteer in a community agency responsible for emergency disaster preparedness.
4. Participate actively in developing an emergency preparedness program for a council or district activity such as a camporee or Scouting show.
5. Complete IS-100.b, Introduction to Incident Command System (see http://training.fema.gov/IS/NIMS.asp ).

District-, Council-, and Unit-Level Achievement
District- and Council-Level Achievement

Bronze Level: If completed three of the above and if 30 percent of your traditional units have achieved the award.

Silver Level: If completed three of the above and if 40 percent of your traditional units have achieved the award.

Gold Level: If completed three of the above and if 50 percent of your traditional units have achieved the award.

Unit-Level Achievement
Achieve the mandatory requirements below, and:
Mandatory Unit Requirements

• Bronze Level: If 30 percent of your youth and adult members have achieved the award.
• Silver Level: If 40 percent of your youth and adult members have achieved the award.
• Gold Level: If 50 percent of your youth and adult members have achieved the award.
• The unit members conduct a check or create a unit and personal first-aid kit.
• The unit members conduct a safety check of their meeting place using the checklist  in the Guide to Safe Scouting.
• The Cubmaster, Scoutmaster, Coach, or Advisor and the assistant Cubmasters, Scoutmasters, Coaches, or Advisors, and the unit committee chair have in their possession and have read the most current Guide to Safe Scouting.
• The unit members create an emergency action plan for unit use during regular meetings, tours, and activities. See http://www.scouting.org/filestore/doc/680-029.doc .
• Greater than 40 percent of registered adults are trained in Safety Afloat and Safe Swim Defense.
• Greater than 40 percent of registered members, including at least one adult, are trained in first aid and CPR/AED by a recognized agency such as the Emergency Care and Safety Institute, the American Red Cross, or the American Heart Association.
• Greater than 40 percent of unit members completed the SCOUTStrong fitness program or earned the Quest Award.

Mandatory for troops and teams only: All youth members with a driving permit or driver’s license have earned the Traffic Safety merit badge.

Mandatory for troops and teams only: Greater than 40 percent of registered Scouts have earned the First Aid merit badge and are certified in CPR/Wilderness First Aid.

Mandatory for Venturing crews only: All youth with a driving permit or driver’s license have taken Venturing Out: Keys to Safe Driving online or attended a group presentation of the Risk Zone: Transporting Scouts Safely. 

Mandatory for Venturing crews only: Greater than 40 percent of registered crew members are trained in CPR/AED by a nationally recognized agency such as the Emergency Care and Safety Institute, the American Red Cross, or the American Heart Association.

Mandatory for troops/teams/Venturing crews only: Greater than 40 percent of registered Scouts and adults have completed IS-100.b, Introduction to Incident Command System (see http://training.fema.gov/IS/NIMS.asp ).

​Do one of the following:

• The unit conducts a safety promotion with the community about emergency preparedness and/or readiness.
• Identify a unit’s risk management or health and safety officer. Attach a copy of the duties and responsibilities assigned to this position to the application.

Program Items
All Emergency Preparedness BSA items are available to local councils as Supply items, though the National Distribution Center.

• Emergency Preparedness BSA pin, No. 00540 (civilian wear/uniform, centered on left pocket flap). Awarded when requirements are met. Only one pin may be worn.

The Cub Scout Core Value for the Month is Citizenship: Contributing service and showing responsibility to local, state, and national communities.
 Cub Scouts develop good citizenship when they are learning about respecting the flag and providing service to the community. 

A nation is a patchwork of communities that differ from each other and may be governed differently. But regardless of how local communities differ, they all have one point in common: In the United States, local government means self-government. Good citizens help to make decisions about their community through their elected local officials.

Requirements

1. Discuss with your counselor what citizenship in the community means and what it takes to be a good citizen in your community. Discuss the rights, duties, and obligations of citizenship, and explain how you can demonstrate good citizenship in your community, Scouting unit, place of worship, or school.
   
2. Do the following:
   
   1. On a map of your community, locate and point out the following:
      
      1. Chief government buildings such as your city hall, county courthouse, and public works/services facility
         
      2. Fire station, police station, and hospital nearest your home
         
      3. Historical or other interesting points
         
   2. Chart the organization of your local or state government. Show the top offices and tell whether they are elected or appointed.
      
3. Do the following:
   
   1. Attend a meeting of your city, town, or county council or school board; OR attend a municipal, county, or state court session.
      
   2. Choose one of the issues discussed at the meeting where a difference of opinions was expressed, and explain to your counselor why you agree with one opinion more than you do another one.
      
4. Choose an issue that is important to the citizens of your community; then do the following:
   
   1. Find out which branch of local government is responsible for this issue.
      
   2. With your counselor’s and a parent’s approval, interview one person from the branch of government you identified in requirement 4a. Ask what is being done about this issue and how young people can help.
      
   3. Share what you have learned with your counselor.
5. With the approval of your counselor and a parent, watch a movie that shows how the actions of one individual or group of individuals can have a positive effect on a community. Discuss with your counselor what you learned from the movie about what it means to be a valuable and concerned member of the community.
   
6. List some of the services (such as the library, recreation center, public transportation, and public safety) your community provides that are funded by taxpayers. Tell your counselor why these services are important to your community.
   
7. Do the following:
   
   1. Choose a charitable organization outside of Scouting that interests you and brings people in your community together to work for the good of your community.
      
   2. Using a variety of resources (including newspapers, fliers and other literature, the Internet, volunteers, and employees of the organization), find out more about this organization.
      
   3. With your counselor’s and your parent’s approval, contact the organization and find out what young people can do to help. While working on this merit badge, volunteer at least eight hours of your time for the organization. After your volunteer experience is over, discuss what you have learned with your counselor.
      
8. Develop a public presentation (such as a video, slide show, speech, digital presentation, or photo exhibit) about important and unique aspects of your community. Include information about the history, cultures, and ethnic groups of your community; its best features and popular places where people gather; and the challenges it faces. Stage your presentation in front of your merit badge counselor or a group, such as your patrol or a class at school.

ResourcesScouting LiteratureBoy Scout Handbook; American Business, American Cultures, American Heritage, Citizenship in the Nation, Citizenship in the World, Communication, Crime Prevention, Photography, Public Speaking, and Scouting Heritage merit badge pamphlets

Books

• Abress, Monica Dwyer. Quietly at Work: Township Government in America. Specialty Press Publishers, 2000.
  
• Bankston, John. Careers in Community Service. Mitchell Lane Publishers, 2001.
  
• Bowman, Ann, and Richard C. Kearney. State and Local Government. Houghton Mifflin Company, College Division, 2001.
  
• Brownlie, Alison. Charities: Do They Work? Raintree Publishers, 1999.
  
• Burns, James M., and others. State & Local Politics: Government by the People. Prentice Hall, 2001.
  
• Coplin, William D. How You Can Help: An Easy Guide to Doing Good Deeds in Your Everyday Life. Routledge, 2000.
  
• Gary, Lawrence. How to Win a Local Election: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide. M. Evans, 1999.
  
• Isler, Claudia. Volunteering to Help in Your Neighborhood. Scholastic Library Publishing, 2000.
  
• Jungreis, Abigail. Know Your Hometown History: Projects and Activities. Franklin Watts, 1992.
  
• Lewis, Barbara A., Pamela Espeland, and Caryn Pernu. Kids’ Guide to Social Action: How to Solve the Social Problems You Choose— and Turn Creative Thinking Into Positive Action. Free Spirit Publishing Inc., 1998.
  
• Kielburger, Marc, and Craig Kielburger. Take Action! A Guide to Active Citizenship. John Wiley & Sons Inc., 2002.
  
• Perry, Susan K. Catch the Spirit: Teen Volunteers Tell How They Made a Difference. Scholastic Library Publishing, 2000.
  
• Ryan Jr., Bernard. Community Service for Teens 8-Volume Set. Facts on File, 1998.
  
• Rusch, Elizabeth. Generation Fix: Young Ideas for a Better World. Beyond Words Publishing Inc., 2002.

Organizations and WebsitesGovSpot
Website: http://www.govspot.com

Kids Care Clubs
975 Boston Post Road
Darien, CT 06820
Website: http://www.kidscare.org

National Constitution Center
Independence Mall
525 Arch St.
Philadelphia, PA 19106
Website: http://www.constitutioncenter.org

National Crime Prevention Council
2345 Crystal Drive, Suite 500
Arlington, VA 22202
Website: http://www.ncpc.org

USA.gov
Office of Citizen Services and Communications
U.S. General Services Administration
1800 F St. NW
Washington, DC 20405
Website: http://www.usa.gov

U.S. Census Bureau
Website: http://www.census.gov

VolunteerMatch
Website: http://www.volunteermatch.org

Youth Activism Project
Website: http://www.youthactivism.com

Youth Service America
Website: http://ysa.org