The cost of Scouting tends to be significantly lower than many other organizations because of the volunteer work of many individuals throughout the Nation, the council, the district and in the Troop. Troop 270 does its best to keep costs, both for dues and for camp outs, as low as possible.

Scholarships are available for Scouts who do not have the resources to pay all costs associated with Scouting. It is Troop 270's goal that no Scout should miss out on the Scouting experience due to finances!  Please see the section titled “Camperships and Financial Aid”.

Being THRIFTY is part of the Scout Law, which every scout promises to obey. We expect every scout to earn and pay his own way. Parents, please encourage your Scout to participate actively in our fundraisers. If you feel compelled to LOAN them money, please also provide them opportunities to EARN what they need by working around the house.

Dues

As of March 1, 2007, dues are $100.00 per calendar year; and may be paid quarterly at each Court of Honor. If you join the troop after the calendar year starts, subtract $8.00 for each full month which has passed. I.E.The scout joins in March, the assessment due is 100.00 - 16.00 = 84.00

While we are grateful for the sustained generosity of our chartering organization, the Thurmont Lions Club who pays for the annual troop recharter, each Scout’s annual registration fee, annual Boy’s Life subscription and Scout insurance fee as well as contributes to Thurmont Scouting, Inc. to pay for expenses of operating the Scout house, there are significantly more expenses we incur.

The leadership of Troop 270 has been working over the last year to put into place a troop budget to ensure that adequate funds are generated to finance the operation of the troop and to maintain the equipment of the troop. Our troop expenses exceed $5000 per year. This money pays for such things as patches and awards, to repair and replace damaged equipment, to purchase supplies, and publications such as merit badge books, propane for campouts and similar expenses.

We rely on Scout dues for some of our revenue. The dues are $100 per year per scout. The dues barely cover the cost of the patches and awards presented at our Court of Honor ceremonies. The troop conducts several fundraisers each year to earn this money. We ask that the Scouts participate in these fundraisers. As an incentive, each Scout receives 50% of the net profit that he earns in the fund raising activities, which is then set-aside in his individual Troop account. In the past, this account has only been used to help pay for summer camp, and was not transferable if the scout moved to another troop. As you will see on the next page, we will be much more liberal in the use of these funds.

We believe that part of the scouting experience is teaching scouts to be fiscally responsible by bearing their fair share of expenses for their activities with the troop.

1. Each Scout is assessed $100 per calendar year to assist in paying for troop expenses. This amount does not cover all of the troop’s expenses but is a reasonable amount to expect from each Scout. This can be accomplished by several means.
   1. A Scout who participates in fund raising events generates income after expenses. 50% goes to the Scout’s account, and 50% of this net income goes to the troop.   A Scout may raise all or a portion of the hundred dollars by generating $100 of net profit for the troop.
   2. A Scout may pay part or all of the $100 by paying quarterly dues to the troop. ($25 at each Court of Honor)
   3. A Scout may pay part or all of the $100 by a one-time payment to the troop at the beginning of the year.
   4. A Scout may use any combination of the above means to meet his obligation.
2. Each scout will receive a quarterly statement of the amount of money paid toward the $100 troop assessment, and the amount of money accrued in his account.
3. For all fundraisers 50% goes to the Scout’s account and 50% of the net profit goes to the troop to cover expenses. This holds true regardless of the total amount the Scout has generated in fund raising. Therefore, even after the scout has generated $100 in troop income, the same percentages apply to help defray troop expenses. Each scout is expected to participate in every fund raising activity. We understand that there will be times that conflicting schedules prevent some scouts from participating, but we believe it is each Scout’s obligation to the troop to attend as many fundraisers as possible.
4. The funds in each Scouts’ account is available for use in various scouting activities. The funds can be used to pay for a Troop, Venture Crew, Sea Scout Ship or other scouting activity. The funds can also be used to purchase uniform items. Rather than give the money directly to the scout, one of the adult leaders in the troop will purchase the items with the scout’s account funds and deliver the item to the scout. The funds will be transferred to the treasurer of another unit if the scout transfers to another scouting unit. If a Scout leaves the troop and does not transfer to another scouting unit, the funds in the Scout’s account return to the Troop’s general fund.
5. Any Scout who has a financial hardship should plan on participating in the troop fundraisers to earn the assessment through fund raising. If there is a reason why the Scout cannot do this and a financial hardship exists, a parent or guardian should talk with the Scoutmaster or Troop Committee Chair.
6. Scouts who do not fulfill their obligation of the $100 assessment by the end of the calendar year will be excluded from troop activities until their obligation is met. Failure to meet this obligation does not prevent a scout from advancing in rank.