Scouting Programs

Scouting America National Registration Fee (“National Fee”)

Rainbow Council Fee (“Council Fee”)

Unit Program Fee (“Unit Fee”)

National and Council fees cover yearly membership in the program, background checks for leaders, insurance for all scouting participants, and help to maintain local Council facilities and camps.

Unit fees can vary in cost and coverage. Families should confirm all unit fee details with their units.

When registering, all scouts and leaders will be charged the National and Council Fees. They will need to pay the Unit Fee directly to the unit.

Each registration will need to be renewed and paid annually on the membership anniversary date.

Many units offer fundraising options to help scouts and their families cover some (or even all) of their yearly renewal fees. Some options for families include selling popcorn, wreaths, spaghetti dinners and pancake breakfasts. Families should consult their units on the availability of these options.

There are outside program costs not shown, such as camping equipment, uniforms, class Bs, and a few more unit specific costs. While this might seem intimidating, not every expense is upfront. Your Unit and Unit Leader will have advice on how to offset the cost, with helpful tips including buying while on sale, buying second hand, or borrowing equipment from other members. Your Unit should also have fundraising methods throughout the scouting year to help with costs. See our Unit Fundraising page for more information.

Rainbow Council helps offset the costs of Scouting by partnering with Trails End to run our Annual Popcorn Fundraiser. You can find more information when popcorn season begins from the Popcorn Kernel, on the website, social media or directly from the Trails End website.