The NCAC Participation Fee
After an intensive 18-month strategic planning process, NCAC’s volunteer Executive Board determined that our Scouts would be better served by a local Council Participation Fee that would provide consistent revenue and be more equitable to those who support our Scouts. Beginning January 1, 2024, an annual Council Participation Fee of $80.00 will be assessed to all youth participating in Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturing, and Sea Scouts programs. For Scouts currently registered, the Council Participation Fee will be collected as part of your unit’s annual re-registration — often referred to as “rechartering.”
- Families with three (3) or more Scouts will be capped at paying three (3) Participation Fees.
- Scouts participating in more than one program will pay one (1) Participation Fee.
- No youth will be turned away for an inability to pay the Participation Fee. NCAC has always provided financial assistance when needed and will continue to do so.
- BSA membership fees and the NCAC Participation Fee are nonrefundable.
- No registered adult will incur a participation fee.
Understanding Annual Fees
- NCAC does not directly receive any of the BSA membership fees currently paid.
- 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 NCAC. Many units also fundraise for these fees and activities, we encourage units to continue those efforts.
Why is there a new Council Participation Fee?
NCAC works tirelessly to deliver a safe and high-quality Scouting program to our families in a cost-effective manner. Today it annually costs $240 per youth to deliver this quality Scouting program.
In prior years, NCAC has subsidized 100% of this cost through corporate donations, major gifts, foundations, fundraising events, board donations, and our Family Friends of Scouting campaign. However, in recent years, the combination of a steady decline in participation in our Family Friends of Scouting — less than 10% of all families in Scouting — and the volunteer and professional costs required to maintain this campaign has made it impractical to continue this model.
Nationwide, we have seen many other local councils successfully transition to this participation fee model, while focusing on membership growth. This change will also allow our staff and volunteer time to directly support our units and programs instead of soliciting contributions.
Additional Information
Video Message from Jim “JP” Morgan
Ensuring No Youth Is Turned Away
No youth will be turned away for an inability to pay the Council Participation Fee. NCAC has always provided financial assistance when needed and will continue to do so.
Make a Gift
If you would like to make a charitable donation to ensure that every young person who wants to experience the Scouting program has the opportunity, please make your gift here:
A portion of our Endowment Fund provides funding to assist financially deserving Scouts with program and camperships for youth to attend summer camp. For more information on Endowment go to www.ncacbsa.org/endowment-planned-giving
Contact the Participation Fee Committee by email: ParticipationFee@NCACBSA.ORG