Transitioning From Scout To Adult

[Reasonable Rascal]

I have a beef to air, and if anyone can show me where I am in error I'd actually appreciate it.

In the next 2 months our troop has 2 long-time members who will age out, one of whom (hopefully) will be going for his 4th year as summer camp staff, only now as an adult.

Annual registration is $24/year whether for youth or adult, and no pro-rating in instances such as these where they cannot by dint of age alone remain with the BSA, yet were they to register in say August they'd only have to pay a pro-rated registration through the end of the year. Because of their birthdays they have to register and pay - twice

The problem is in order for the hopes-to-be staff member it is going to cost him $48 for registration this year because of the age quirk.

The other boy, whose family is financially embarrassed, can barely make the $24, would also like to return to another camp he has staffed before as a youth, but again he'd have to fork over $48 for a 1-2 week camp position that is strictly volunteer/unpaid.

Again, if I am in error I'd appreciate being pointed in the right direction. But that is what we have been told at the District level has to be done.

RR

[Quailman]

When my son aged out his application was treated as a transfer, as far as I know. But the unit may have paid his fee if there was one.

[Fox-in-KC]

Different councils have different policies on registration, but councils cannot deviate from BSA national registration. I have never heard of a 17 year old having to pay twice in one year because they turned 18, not saying it has'nt happened, just never heard of it. It should be as simple as a transfer, just make sure that he has completed youth protection (and any other training your council requires before registration) before trying to register him or it will likely be returned to you - and yes, 17 year olds CAN take adult training.

Again, not saying this isn't the case, just saying I have never heard of it.

If you're not getting an answer you're satisfied with, go to the council level, there's always a bigger fish

[FrankJ]

My son went from youth in troop, youth in Venturing to ASM in troop ,youth in Venturing to Venturing ad visor, ASM. One member ID, one annual fee.

The youth in Venturing, ASM made for some logic dilemmas for the YP front.

[Reasonable Rascal]

I did contact Council and it's 2 separate fees. Both boys intend to go as staff this year at differing camps. When you only make $75/week that extra $24 can be a bit of a hardship on top of extra uniforms, etc. The one camp only has a 3-week season anyway, so all the camp nets him is a resume entry.

[Bill Pitcher]

Should be only one registration fee that gets transfered over with the new application. Want to keep him (them) registered? Then the unit should pay the fee. In our troop, all of the active adults reg. fees are paid by the unit. Unactive adults (college students, military, etc.) are paid by them to keep active registrations in effect. However, YPT, safe swim/swim defense, etc. must be kept up-to-date by the registrant (Troop rule). Works for us!

[Fox-in-KC]

I'm surprised at that response from council, I don't recall a new adult (just turned 18) having to pay again if they were registered as a youth during the same year, they just paid the $1 transfer as long as all the training was completed. I don't understand what the extra money could be for either as insurance, etc. is already paid through the initial registration - it definitely doesn't go to pay the professionals....

[Quailman]

This is utter BSA without the A. The adult application has a prorating table. Tell your registrar that you want a refund of the unused months for the youth and they can apply it to the pro rata portion of the new adult application.

As leaders we are told up and down how we may not change the requirements. Why is your council doing it?

What position is he applying for? If he's going to be a merit badge counselor at camp, have him use position 42. There's no fee for that.

[Reasonable Rascal]

I wish I knew. The current applications we have been using do not reflect a prorating for the now $24 registration fee so every kid that registers get charged the full fee. Hopefully Council is applying the prorata and crediting our account there.

The soon-to-be-adult will be working as kitchen staff, so no freebie there. It should be a transfer fee as far as I am determined because, as the other previous posted noted the insurance is the same - Council isn't going to pay it twice for the same person or they'd be squawking to the insurance carrier themselves.

[Fox-in-KC]

As a former dining hall staffer I agree completely, he's performing a very important service to camp. While registering him as a Merit Badge Counselor is a good idea, I would make absolutely sure through the proper channels (Camp Director, etc.) that that type of registration is acceptable to work at camp.

It really sounds to me like the people that you are talking to are either misunderstanding or just not with the program - at the very least you should get a pro-rated fee in this situation.

National has 1 policy, sounds like this council is not following it.