Costs
Cub Scouting has two separate annual costs: registration fees paid to Scouting America and our council, and Pack dues paid to Pack 1533.
Uniforms and gear are separately purchased by families, and we keep the starting list short on purpose. See Getting Started for what to buy first. Our hand-me-down bin of donated uniform pieces is free to any family.
Annual Registration Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| National youth registration | $85 |
| Council fee (National Capital Area Council) | $80 |
| Administrative fee for online registration | $5 |
| Total | $170 |
These are paid every year during registration and go directly to National and the Council. Pack 1533 does not receive any portion of these fees.
Pack Dues
$100 per year. Pack dues stay with Pack 1533 and pay for our own program: campouts, the Pinewood Derby, the Rain Gutter Regatta, rocketry, rank badges, and event supplies.
What It Adds Up To
$270 per year — $170 in registration fees plus $100 in Pack dues.
Scout Life Magazine (Optional)
Scout Life is Scouting America’s magazine for youth — 10 issues a year of outdoor adventure, stories, games, and comics. You can add a subscription during registration for $15 a year. It is entirely optional and is not required for advancement.
Financial Assistance
Cost should never be the reason a family doesn’t join. The National Capital Area Council provides need-based assistance, and no eligible youth is turned away for an inability to pay the council fee.
- Families new to Scouting may qualify for up to 100% of both the national registration and council fees ($165) for the first year.
- Military families — with a parent or guardian serving Active Duty, Reserve, or National Guard — can have the $85 national registration fee waived.
Apply through the council’s financial support page before you register and pay — fees already paid cannot be refunded.
Council assistance covers registration fees, not Pack dues. If dues are a concern, email pack1533cubmaster@gmail.com and we will work it out.