To Our New Birth of Freedom Scouting Family,
Beginning March 1, 2026, the New Birth of Freedom Council will implement a new approach to collecting council program fees. The fee will be collected as part of each Scout’s individual registration through the Scouting America registration system or at the council service center.
The new council program fee will be $40 per Scout for both new members and renewals. There will be no program fee for adults.
For most currently registered Scouts, the new fee will not be collected until the latter part of 2026, when they renew for their next Scouting year, unless their registration anniversary date falls after March 1.
How This Differs From the Previous Model
Under the previous program fee structure, the council used a $60 baseline fee per Scout. Units could earn credits to offset some or all of that amount by participating in fundraising efforts such as Friends of Scouting, Camp Cards, and Popcorn & Nuts Sales. In some cases, this resulted in a full offset of the fee for Scouts in a unit — though this was not the experience for every unit.
While that model provided flexibility, it has become increasingly difficult to administer due to our reduced staff size and limited resources. Tracking credits and calculating offsets is no longer sustainable for the council.
It is also important to note that most other councils in Pennsylvania — and across the country — already charge a direct council program fee, often at rates above $40, and in some cases for both youth and adults.
Why the Change
This update is being made to strengthen the long-term health of Scouting in the New Birth of Freedom Council and to simplify the process for units and families:
It provides administrative simplicity and operational stability. Our current staffing levels do not allow us to manage the previous formula-based system effectively.
Most nearby and statewide councils already use a direct council program fee model.
While we would prefer not to charge a program fee, it is necessary to remain financially sustainable and keep local Scouting decisions local. Without this revenue, additional cuts and increased fundraising pressure would be required.
The prior system was based on a $60 fee per Scout. Many families did not directly bear this cost because of successful unit fundraising, but the underlying cost remained.
The fee will now be integrated into the Scout’s annual registration and processed through the national Scouting America registration system, or collected at the council service center for in-person applications.
What This Means for Units and Families
Scouts who are already registered for the current Scouting year by March 1 will not pay the new fee until they renew for their next Scouting year.
Adults will not be charged a council program fee.
Families will experience a more seamless process, with the fee paid on the Scout’s registration anniversary date through the national system.
What’s Next
Please take a few minutes to view the video above from the January 8 council-wide roundtable, where Council Commissioner Tom Steckbeck explains this change in more detail.
Additional resources will be shared soon to support units in communicating and implementing this change.
Units are encouraged to begin sharing this information with families so they are prepared at renewal time.
Yours in Scouting,
Ron Gardner
Scout Executive & CEO
