Cub Scout Pack 1604

Financial Strategy

The pack is a non-profit. It costs the pack approximately $275 per scout to operate. The operational expenses include fees assessed by the BSA for registration and insurance, awards and advancement patches, derby cars, space rockets, model rockets, den supplies, special event supplies, and a T-Shirt. In addition, the pack subsidizes the cost of campouts and weekend events as much as possible.

A planning budget is available for your review at this link.

The $275 is obtained through dues collection and popcorn sales. The committee strives to spend all the funds which are brought in during a school year on the scouts and families who generated those funds. In parallel we strive to maintain a small operational reserve to enable the pack to weather a down year as well as to enable the pack to efficiently start up the following year.

Registration Costs

The pack is financed through Dues and a Popcorn Sales Fundraiser. For families who do not want to participate in the fundraiser, an opt-out of popcorn sales fee can be paid instead.

For those joining after October 1, the fundraiser may already be complete or full and those families likely will have to pay the full opt-out fee. We also may discount your registration $10 if our T-Shirt order is already submitted and we cannot provide you with a T-Shirt.

Dues for 2025-2026 are $125

Popcorn Sales and Opt-Out Fees

In addition to dues another $150 is needed to fully fund the program. This can be earned by selling popcorn or paid directly (Opt-Out of Popcorn Sales) .

The BSA provides us with an easy way to generate revenue by selling popcorn through Trail's End. The kids find selling popcorn fun and they learn and can earn a lot.

You can sell door to door, online or through our show and sells held at local storefronts.
Store Front Show and Sell Sales
- This is the easiest way to reach your sales target.
  - - If you do not sell popcorn your opt-out fee is $150
    - If you work 1 shift (2 hours) , your opt out fee is $75
    - If you work 2 shifts (4 hours) your opt out fee is $0
- You can also choose to sell on line or door to door. In that case, your minimum sales target is $450. (25-35 bags of popcorn) to have no opt-out fee.
- Our "Popcorn Kernel" is a member of our committee and sets up the storefront operations. All you need to do is show up with your scout (preferably in uniform)
- The citizens of Royal Oak have always been generous to our scouts and make donations during popcorn sales. Donations made to the pack during popcorn sales are applied to reduce the required sales.

Financial Considerations

- - If the cost of dues are a concern, the pack will grant a dues scholarship to anyone who asks. The only requirement is to participate in 3 show and sells.
  - If potential camping fees are a concern, we can provide you with extra popcorn sales slots to fund your entire scouting experience

- - We want to work with you to find ways to help ensure every child who wants to join scouts can participate.

Your Total Registration Costs per child will then be based on how much you participate in pop corn sales and will be either:

$125 Dues + sell at 2 popcorn shifts = $125 Total
$125 Dues + sell at 1 popcorn shift + $75 popcorn shift opt-out = $200 Total
$125 Dues + do not sell popcorn + $150 popcorn opt out fee = $275 Total
Dues Scholarship + sell at 3 popcorn shifts = $0 Total

Other Costs

Uniform & Book: Your scout will need a uniform and book for each year.

Uniform: Their first year the uniform costs approximately $80. Oversizing your scouts uniform could make it possible to minimize the number of uniforms you need to buy. In addition each year after your scout needs a new cap, neckerchief and slide. Those cost approximately $30.

You can purchase these items at the Troy Scout Shop at 1155 E Long Lake Rd, Troy, MI 48085

Campout Fees: When the Pack goes camping the cost is generally $35 per person staying in the cabin, and $15 per person if you bring your tent to tent camp. (An adult must attend with their scout). This covers the cost of food, lodging, supplies, and most activities. If horseback riding is available at the camp, there is an additional cost for that activity ($10-$25).

Winter Overnight: We will do an overnight event in the winter and the cost for this event varies depending on location. In the past we have been to the USS Silverside Submarine and Museuem, the Toledo Zoo, the Detroit Zoo, and the Historic Lighthouse in Port Huron.

Event Fees: The pack may participate in local events, or a den may visit a museum or other similar facility. Typically those fees are $5 per scout/adult.