June 3, 2020
BSA Today
The latest news and information from around the Cradle of Liberty Council and the BSA
A Scout Is...
During these very difficult times, it's important to remind ourselves and those around us about the foundational principles of the the Scout Law. These points should serve as a compass for guiding our actions. More than just words, these are words to live by:

  • A Scout is Trustworthy: Tell the truth and keep promises. People can depend on you.
  • A Scout is Loyal: Show that you care about your family, friends, Scout leaders, school, and country.
  • A Scout is Helpful: Care about other people. Volunteer to help others without expecting a reward.
  • A Scout is Friendly: Be a friend to everyone, even people who are very different from you.
  • A Scout is Courteous: Be polite to everyone and always use good manners.
  • A Scout is Kind: Treat others as you want to be treated. Never harm or kill any living thing without good reason.
  • A Scout is Obedient: Follow the rules of your family, school, and unit. Obey the laws of your community and country. If you believe rules and laws are unfair, try to have them changed in an orderly manner rather than disobeying them.
  • A Scout is Cheerful: Look for the bright side of life. Cheerfully do tasks that come your way. Try to help others be happy.
  • A Scout is Thrifty: Work to pay your own way. Try not to be wasteful. Use time, food, supplies, and natural resources wisely.
  • A Scout is Brave: Face difficult situations even when you feel afraid. Do what you think is right despite what others might be doing or saying.
  • A Scout is Clean: Keep your body and mind fit. Help keep your home and community clean.
  • A Scout is Reverent: Be reverent toward God. Be faithful in your religious duties. Respect the beliefs of others. 
National Membership Fee Increases
Dear Cradle of Liberty Council Unit Leaders,

On Monday evening, we received confirmation that the National Council annual membership fees will be increasing as of August 1, 2020. In a post to their website, they explain:

Over the last few months, we have seen the Scouting community come together, even while physically apart, to bring solutions, relief and comfort to those in need. From making masks to supporting food banks, Scouting has been a vital partner for communities across the country.

The value of Scouting is undeniable for those within the program and the greater public, and we are committed to continuing to offer this unmatched opportunity to young people and families nationwide.

The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) has worked to keep the membership fee as low as possible. Unfortunately, operating costs have continued to rise and COVID-19 has compounded the need to increase the fee to maintain the program.

To ensure we have the resources to fulfill the promise of Scouting, the updated national membership fee is
  • $66 for Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturing and Sea Scouts participants
  • $42 for Exploring participants
  • $30 for council-paid memberships
  • $42 for all adult volunteers (includes cost of background check)
  • $75 for a unit charter fee

The membership fees will take effect August 1, 2020, for new members in the 2020-2021 program year. For renewing members, the new fee will take effect on October 1, 2020. The updated unit charter fee will take effect August 1, 2020, for all new and rechartering units.

Starting August 1, 2020, there will also be a one-time $25 joining fee for new program participants in Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturing and Sea Scouts; however, there is no joining fee for Exploring participants, participants previously registered in any BSA program, those transferring from one program to another, council-paid memberships, or adult volunteers.


This means that the amount you will pay to renew your BSA registration during the charter renewal period at the end of this year will increase from the current $60 amount to $66 for youth participants and from $36 to $42 for adult volunteers. All new members who join after August 1, 2020 will be charged the prorated membership fee of $5.50 per month until the end of the year, as well as the new member joining fee of $25 for youth members. For example, a Cub Scout joining in September will be charged $22.00 ($5.50 x 4 months) plus the $25.00 new member joining fee for a total of $47.00, plus any fees administered by the local unit.

To help explain this, national has created an infographic that follows this letter or can be found here. Additionally, we have created a fee chart for your reference.

Again, this is a National Council fee and NOT a Cradle of Liberty Council fee. Within the FAQs on the site, it mentions the ability of local councils to charge an additional Local Council Registration Fee in addition to the National Council Fee. While many councils have opted to charge a local council fee up to the maximum allowed by national, the Cradle of Liberty Council, as a result of your continued support of the council’s annual Friends of Scouting campaign and other fundraising efforts, has elected NOT to institute a local registration fee. I hope that we can continue to count on your support in the future.

Unfortunately, the Cradle of Liberty Council will NOT be able to subsidize this membership fee increase as it did the last increase. However, unlike the last national council fee increase, families and units have more time to adjust budgets and allow for additional fundraising to help offset this cost. While we cannot subsidize this increase for our families, the entire team, volunteer and staff, of the council are at the ready to assist you with creating strategies to help refigure budgets or increase fundraising opportunities if necessary. Please do not hesitate to reach out for help.

As always, I want to thank each of you for all that you do for the young men and women of your Scouting units.

Sincerely Yours in Scouting,

Dan Templar
Scout Executive
Program Planning & Budgeting Resources
We've developed a page of resources to assist your unit in planning and budgeting its program for the 2020-2021 Scouting year. Click the link below for access to a host of resources, including links to the Unit Program Planning & Budgeting presentation, worksheets, the recently released 2020-2021 Program Planning Guide, and more.

Yellow Phase Plan
The Cradle of Liberty Council remains committed to ensuring the health and safety of Scouts, Scouters and all people in our community during the COVID-19 pandemic. As the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania moves from the red phase to the yellow phase of reopening, there have been many questions on what these changes mean to our programs. We have developed a document with the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions. We have addressed what units can and can’t do during the yellow phase that is distinctly different from what family members can do together.

Our camps and council office will remain closed during the yellow phase, but we look forward to the green phase when those restrictions may be modified. The council continues to monitor the federal, state and local guidelines and looks forward to the time when we can get back to our new normal Scouting activities! Thank you for all you are doing to keep yourselves, our Scouts, and our communities safe from the spread of COVID-19.


The Resica Falls Leadership Team and the Cradle of Liberty Council are proud to present our 2020 Virtual Camp @ Resica Falls. This program will take place for each Scout and leader in the comfort and safety of their own home. Virtual merit badge sessions, interactive camp-wide activities, entertaining campfires, and engaging adult leader programs are just some of the opportunities that await this summer.

With our 2020 Virtual Camp, we are proud to continue to offer the same high-quality, Scout-oriented program that we have since 1957, albeit in a different atmosphere than we are all used to. Our theme for 2020 is Under the Big Top and many of our camp-wide programs will center around the fun and excitement of a carnival and circus.

We're halfway through our six-week program called Online Adventures, offering free weekly virtual programs for boys and girls in grades K-5 and their families. There's still time to sign-up for the fun, including STEM sessions next week!

While the content will be based on the Cub Scout program, these sessions are open to all families (currently registered in the BSA or not). While there will be advancement opportunities for existing Cub Scouts, the focus of these sessions is all about fun and engaging activities families can do together!

Virtual Career Mentoring Panels
The Cradle of Liberty Council will host multiple Virtual Career Mentoring Panels for the following career industries: STEM, Skilled Trades, Criminal Justice and Public Service, Accounting and Finance, and Business and Management.

Experienced professionals will share details about their industry, current roles, and help answer questions big and small about working in their field. Learn how to get started in this type of a career, what a typical day at work looks like, and what opportunities exist in this career field.

All Scouts BSA, Eagle Scouts, Venturers, Explorers, Sea Scouts, and Alumni are welcome to attend. There is no cost to participate. Registration is required.

There's still time to participate in this super-easy campaign to raise funds for your unit!

We are excited to provide all units with a new digital fundraising platform to be used during the COVID-19 pandemic. This will allow units to participate in raising funding for all unit needs while maintaining safety for all Scouts. Units will receive a 60% commission for all sales. We need all units sign-up so they can receive their code for purchasers to use online to capture unit sales.

Click above to watch the “Maximizing the Adventure Card Fundraiser” Webinar
Expiring PA Clearances Reminder
PA State Clearances have been required for all volunteers working with youth since 2015 and each clearance is valid for five years. This year will see many volunteers PA State clearances expire.

The Cradle of Liberty Council will notify all volunteers with clearances expiring in 2020. The email will detail how to renew and upload new clearances. Volunteers will receive monthly renewal reminders, where applicable, via email, mail and/or phone when 90, 60 and 30 days out from the expiration of any clearance.

Please ensure your PA State Clearances are renewed in a timely manner in order to avoid your membership in the BSA being discontinued because of non-compliance with state law.

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