What do unit leaders tell existing families in 2022?
For existing Scout parents:
I strive to be trustworthy, so I don’t want you to feel that we willingly told you Scouting would cost one amount with the intent of telling you later that it would cost more.
Unfortunately, we just found out from the Northeast Illinois Council that there will be a new Annual Youth Registration fee in January 2023 of $20/month (or $240 in a lump sum). They told me that they crunched the numbers, and made it as low as possible. And they also are eliminating Family Friends of Scouting unit presentations. These steps should provide better field staff support for our unit, which makes it easier for parents like me to take on leadership roles in the unit. The AYR will also help fund council camps, programs and activities, all of which will benefit your family directly. The council is working on the payment system now for rollout in January 2023.
The 2023 AYR fee will include prepayment of the national BSA youth membership fee for 2024. It won’t include our unit’s dues or Scout Life subscriptions. Scouts who transfer units, like Webelos who continue into Scouts BSA, will have their fee apply to the new Troop. Members that don’t continue in 2024 may request to have their pro-rated National fee refunded to our unit.
It’s possible that (2023 unit fundraising, popcorn etc.) will substantially cover the AYR Fee. Your family might have substantial financial need, and you can apply for financial aid when that portal opens in the coming months.
Unit leaders:
Here’s the cost breakdown starting in 2023. Please add your unit’s fee info to be as transparent as possible to the families:
$240 Annual Youth Registration fee:
+$___ Unit dues
+$___ Scout Life magazine subscription
– $___ fundraising share to Scout
– $___ financial aid from NEIC
$___ 2023 total
What do unit leaders tell newly registered families in 2022?
For new Scout parents:
I strive to be trustworthy, so I don’t want you to feel that we willingly told you Scouting would cost one amount with the intent of telling you later that it would cost more.
Unfortunately, we just found out from the Northeast Illinois Council that there will be a new Annual Youth Registration fee in January 2023 of $20/month (or $240 in a lump sum). They told me that they crunched the numbers, and made it as low as possible. And they also are eliminating Family Friends of Scouting unit presentations. These steps should provide better field staff support for our unit, which makes it easier for parents like me to take on leadership roles in the unit. The AYR will also help fund council camps, programs and activities, all of which will benefit your family directly. The council is working on the payment system now for rollout in January 2023.
The 2023 AYR fee will include prepayment of the national BSA youth membership fee for 2024. It won’t include our unit’s dues or Scout Life subscriptions. Scouts who transfer units, like Webelos who continue into Scouts BSA, will have their fee apply to the new Troop. Members that don’t continue in 2024 may request to have their pro-rated National fee refunded to our unit.
It’s possible that (2023 unit fundraising, popcorn etc.) will substantially cover the AYR Fee. Your family might have substantial financial need, and you can apply for financial aid when that portal opens in the coming months.
Unit leaders:
Here’s the cost breakdown starting in 2023. Please add your unit’s fee info to be as transparent as possible to the families:
$240 Annual Youth Registration fee:
+$___ Unit dues
+$___ Scout Life magazine subscription
– $___ fundraising share to Scout
– $___ financial aid from NEIC
$___ 2023 total
What do unit leaders tell prospective families in 2022 who are thinking about joining?
Your registration fees are 2 parts. 1 payment now for the remainder of 2022 for national, local and unit fees, and then an Annual Youth Registration fee payment for 2023 is due in January in a single $240 payment or $20/month.
Your family might have substantial financial need, and you can apply for financial aid when that portal opens in the coming months.
Unit leaders:
Here’s the cost breakdown starting in 2023. Please add your unit’s fee info to be as transparent as possible to the families:
$240 Annual Youth Registration fee:
+$___ Unit dues
+$___ Scout Life magazine subscription
– $___ fundraising share to Scout
– $___ financial aid from NEIC
$___ 2023 total
What do unit leaders tell prospective families in 2023 who are thinking about joining?
Your registration fees are 2 parts. 1 payment of $115 now and then an Annual Youth Registration fee payment for 2023 is due in January in a single $240 payment or $20/month for the remaining months of the year.
Your family might have substantial financial need, and you can apply for financial aid when that portal opens in the coming months.
Unit leaders:
Here’s the cost breakdown starting in 2023. Please add your unit’s fee info to be as transparent as possible to the families:
$240 Annual Youth Registration fee:
+$___ Unit dues
+$___ Scout Life magazine subscription
– $___ fundraising share to Scout
– $___ financial aid from NEIC
$___ 2023 total