Troop Finances

Dues

Scout dues for Troop 215 are $150 per scout per year. This covers the

  • BSA registration fees

  • BSA insurance premium

  • Boys Life subscription

  • merit badge and rank award purchases.

Adult dues for Troop 215 are $50 per year. This covers Adult BSA registration and insurance. Troop 215 requests that at least one adult per scout be BSA-Registered. (Please note: Scout transportation may only be provided by BSA-Registered adults.)

Dues are to be made payable to Troop 215 and are to be paid in full by December 15th of each year. Monthly payments are accepted. Payments can be made by check (made out to Troop 215) or via Venmo to @Troop-215.

BSA mandates that scouts may not achieve advancements in rank if their account is not reconciled. Such scouts will be in an inactive status until arrangements are made and approved by the Scoutmaster and the Committee Chairman. If a family has a financial hardship, please see the Scoutmaster or Committee Chair. Financial assistance and camperships are available.


Campout Fees

The troop requires Scouts and adults attending troop campouts to pay for their own food and for any third-party activity charges. See the “Welcome” page of this Handbook for more details.


Financial Assistance

Confidential financial assistance is available in accordance with the Financial Assistance Policy (see p. 31). Contact the Scoutmaster or Troop Committee Chair for more information.


Fundraising Events

Troop members should participate in our annual fundraising efforts. These include Popcorn Sales, Roadside Cleanups, Pancake Supper and Camp Cards.


Trails End Popcorn Sales

The sale of the Trails End Popcorn in the fall is a critical element in the fundraising program for funding Troop 215 activities. Each Scout in the troop is expected to make a commitment to this program, as each Scout has or will benefit from the funds that are raised in the effort. As dictated by Trails End and the Cape Fear Council, the Troop receives 30% of the total sales profit. This money goes entirely into the Troop 215 general fund to offset Troop expenses not covered by the dues (equipment purchases, transportation rentals, court of honor/banquet supplies, etc.) Popcorn sales can be done both as Show and Sell group efforts as well as individual door-to-door or online sales.


Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper

Every year on Shrove Tuesday (Tuesday before Ash Wednesday), Troop 215 cooks and serves a Pancake Supper to parishioners of St. Mark Parish. Scouts work in shifts 4-6pm or 6-8pm to help setup, cook, serve, and cleanup. Parents and Leaders are encouraged to help as well as eat dinner to support the Troop. All proceeds go into the General Troop Fund or to a charitable organization selected by the Troop.


Camp Card Sales

Camp Card sales are held in the spring of each year. Scouts may elect to sell camp cards to offset their own personal summer camp fees. For each $5 card sold, the scout will get $2.50 for his personal camping account. The remaining $2.50 is submitted back to the Cape Fear Council.


Expense Reimbursement

The Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmaster, Troop Committee members, and others who have or will extend personal funds for scout activities and expect to receive reimbursement for those funds, must know that such funds are: 1) to be within the established budget which is approved in the fall of each year or; 2) approved by the Troop Treasurer, Scoutmaster and/or Troop Committee Chairman as funds which are available, but which are not so budgeted. This means that the Committee Chairs who have responsibility for monthly camping activities, summer camps, Court of Honor expenses, award purchases or other such activities must project costs and assess participants for the expenses associated with that specific activity in order to not exceed any budgeted funds which may be available from the Troop Committee. Otherwise, those who spend personal funds on troop programs do so at the risk that they may not be fully reimbursed.