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Re: Wow! Cost of Scouting (was: Compensation)
John Conley (ITI@FRONTIERNET.NET)
Thu, 24 Sep 1998 12:45:05 -0700
Storms, Randy wrote:
> I was actually doing a little research on this topic this week -- In our
> troop, these are the basic costs for a boy's first year: (Note -- some
> items are optional, all costs are approximate.)
>
> Registration 7.00
> Annual Dues 26.00
> Boy's Life 8.00
> Scout Handbook 7.00
> Full Uniform 100.00
> Summer Camp 150.00
> Basic Camping Gear 500.00
> Event Fees (Food, Gas) 150.00
> ______
> 1st year total: $948.00
Randy,
This seems mighty steep to me, especially the last two items. $500
should get you a lot more than basic camping gear. I certainly have
more than $500 in camping gear (how did I live without Gore-Tex?), but
I would hardly consider my equipment basic, and I didn't have it
all when I got started.
I'll bet I could get a new camper started with $200, and probably a lot
less if necessary. I've seen a lot of new Scouts show up
with dad's old sleeping bag. Granted, I wouldn't want them using it
in our climate in February, but we're talking about beginners.
I'm certain that if I waved a $948 price tag at my new parents, a lot
of boys would have missed out on Scouting.
Also, several of those costs could be spread out over the year. Why
make that first year budget look worse than it already is by showing
them as a lump?
YiS,
John Conley
Arrowhead District Commissioner
Finger Lakes Council (NY)
*Better to build boys than mend men*
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City |
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