The Girl Scout membership dues increase will take effect in October 2026. What can leaders do now to be proactive and keep their troops going?
Since September, the Girl Scout Facebook groups have had very heated discussions about the impending monetary membership increase. The proposed increase was $65 the first year and then $85 the second year. What passed was that dues will stay at $25 for the next year, but then rise to $45 for the 2026 membership year and then to $65 in 2027. The organization’s National Council Session, on October 19, 2024, voted to approve the two-step increase, which amounts to a $160% hike prices.
The Impact of the Girl Scout Membership Dues Increase
Even though the initial proposal did not pass, the impact of the increase is real. Dues have not increased since 2018, which, in my opinion, was a mistake. Instead of small, incremental increases, this one hits like a blow to the head, especially for leaders in low socio-economic areas. These families already receive financial aid for the $25 in dues, how will they pay for the increase?
Leaders with multiple daughters or granddaughters in scouts have to pay the increase three or four times over, amounting in a sum that is not feasible for their family budget.
Cookie sales were down last year because of the price increase. Are the girls supposed to work harder? As one leader wrote, “Sorry, we’re not going to sell stuff just so we can renew and be able to sell stuff. That would be the new definition of Insanity.”
Many leaders, who are struggling financially in their personal lives, have said that this is the straw that broke the camel’s back. They will be disbanding their troop.
If you want to continue being a leader, despite the increase in Girl Scout membership dues, what can you do now?
How to Keep Your Troop From Disbanding Despite the Girl Scout Membership Dues Increase
Have a Parent Meeting
One of the first things active things you can do is have a parent meeting. Since the increase is a year a way, this is the time to strategize your next steps. Here are some questions you can discuss (and if you feel some of these financial ones are sensitive, you can ask them in an email or a private conversation):
- If you are a troop that does not pay for membership, will the girls be able to continue next year if this model is continued?
- Can your troop pay for half the dues and the families the other half?
- Can the troop pay for everyone’s Membership dues? Can parents contribute five or ten dollars towards it?
- Can you ask parents for $5.00 a month now, so that by renewal time, you have all of most of the money? Think of it as layaway for the girls. Smaller bites are easier to digest.
- (This question is Council specific, do the research before discussing) Are there people in the community that can sponsor part of each girl’s membership or donate a certain amount to the troop? These donations can be earmarked for membership dues.
- Besides cookies, are parents willing to help with any additional fundraisers that can potentially earn more money for the girls? For example, having a garage sale or having a booth at a local craft fair. Maybe doing cookies and product sales at a minimal level to qualify for doing other fundraisers, and then doing your own fundraiser and keeping all the money.
- Can ask for donations or sponsors from local businesses?
- Can people in your family help sponsor your scout? (even a small donation of five dollars shaves that cost from what parents need to pay)
- Can you ask on social media on your personal page and in Buy Nothing or NextDoor groups for the supplies you need? People love to help and it also cleans out their craft rooms
- Does anyone have any contacts that can help with free field trips or a speaker that can come in and do activities with the girls? For example, can someone come for free in and help teach the girls a skill that can earn them a fun patch? Does anyone know a person willing to give a free class at their place of business? These are things that can also be asked on social media
- Can you meet less frequently to cut costs? If you meet once a week, can you do twice a month? If you meet twice a month, can you do one meeting and one outing on the weekend?
How to Keep Your Troop From Disbanding Despite the Girl Scout Membership Dues Increase
Have a Troop Meeting
The discussion you have with your troop is going to largely depend on the age of your girls. Daisy Scouts will probably not have a clear understanding of what is going on, while your older Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors can contribute far more hands on work without parental help.
As the leader, a lot of the discussion and final decisions will fall on you and your co-leader. Before meeting with the girls, have a clear decision about how much more you want to take on.
When meeting with your girls, you can ask them:
- What can they do to help keep the troop going? Let them brainstorm ideas. Even the outside the box ones have ideas that you can use.
- Are they willing to do the retired Girl Scout badge program, where you can buy the badges for less than 2/3 the price of the new badges? If not, are they willing to swap the badge out for a fun patch, which typically cost less than one dollar?
- Are they willing to buy a sash and not a vest?
- Are they willing to do additional fundraisers after product sales and cookies?
- Are they willing to lead a badge and find the most cost effective way to do it?
This Girl Scout membership dues increase is happening. Being proactive and involving the parents and the girls with helping to find solutions to continue will empower everyone and teach your girls to overcome obstacles.
What are you planning to do about the Girl Scout Membership dues increase?
