What does Scouting cost? Depends how you look at it; I think Scouting is free.
I’ve volunteered in our local government for a dozen or more years. If I hear someone complaining about their water bill I point out the water is free, it’s the pipes that cost money.
Making water safe to drink, getting it to your house, and treating wastewater costs money – but the water itself is free.
I’ve volunteered for Scouting for closing in on four decades. When I hear people complain if they are asked to donate to Scouting I tell them Scouting, like water, is free.
Books, badges, uniforms, tents, and food cost money but the camaraderie, achievement, adventure, and lifetime benefits of being a Scout are all free.
Volunteers who deliver Scouting come with no charge, and at their own expense. We do spend money on small number of full-time professional administrators, support a Council service center, various resources, and a 3000 acre Scout Reservation; all of these things are important parts of a virtual pipeline.
Most people will never visit the wastewater treatment plant nor think much about the system that delivers water to their home. They simply turn on the tap and expect water to be there.
Most parents will never see or think much about the network of professionals and other resources that make Scouting possible. They simply expect Scouting to be there.
When it comes to water a meter measures of the load you put on the system and you are charged accordingly.
We have a pipeline that helps us deliver the promises of Scouting. Only you can measure what your child gets from Scouting and translate that into dollars and cents.