Cub Scouts

I'm also rural.  When folks look at the cost scouting I'd argue they aren't comparing it to other youth programs, but rather a cart of groceries or tanks of gas to heat the house.

I'm just wondering if the problem is that they can no longer get liability insurance. I know they were fighting with their insurers who were balking. Bankrupt or not, if you don't have insurance, I don't think you can operate. That could leave all of us nowhere. Anyone know more about insurance than I do and have a learned opinion? 

Those are fees I've never minded paying....

Annual fully-loaded cost to run a Troop with a full program here in DC is about $1,000 per Scout, without high adventure.  We raise about 1/3 of that and the families and parents pay dues and camp fees for the balance.  Compared to other youth group expenses this is favorable.  Travel athletic teams, private athletic or music lessons or even purchasing junky electronics devices/toys Are easily double or triple these BSA costs.  In a lower cost area those Annual Troop operation cost figures might be up to 1/3 less.  Adding another $33/year by doubling is nearly meaningless in this context.  If someone migrates over this, they are leaving for other reasons. Some of this will be solved when the financial restructuring bankruptcy is filed.  The BSA will offload the costly liability of the Youth Protection fails of earlier years and insurance rates won’t be subject to such big swings.  And, that process will probably result in a right-sizing of overall council/national cost structures as well.  I will stay put and all the families in our troop will too.

Now there's some cash outlay....golfing.  $500 for clubs (yeah I know cheap set), $50 for green fees, $20 for a dozen balls...not to mention fees at the 19th hole