WASHINGTON — The annual fee to participate in the Girls Scouts could soon more than triple in price.
The Girl Scouts of the USA's National Council will vote Saturday on whether to raise the cost of membership dues for the first time in eight years.
The current fee is $25. The National Board of Girl Scouts USA has recommended an $85 membership fee that would be phased in over three years, according to proposal documents posted online by various Girl Scout councils.
The Girl Scouts say the 240% increase is needed to avoid having to scale back or eliminate some of the organization's services.
"Girl Scouting must invest today to better serve our current members and to reach girls who are currently missing out on the Girl Scout experience," a delegate workbook for Saturday's National Council Session states.
The group has said that financial assistance would be available to support local councils around the country and ensure all members can participate.
If approved, the price increases would be phased in, with the largest increase coming in the first year: Dues would jump from $25 to $68 in membership year 2026, $77 in 2027 and $85 in 2028. Membership for adults would increase from $25 to $45 under the proposal.
"These measures will ensure that Girl Scouts can continue to thrive and serve more girls while addressing financial challenges and keeping the organization strong for future generations," the delegate workbook explained.
Girl Scouts membership is down while costs are up, the organization said in its reasoning for the fee increase proposal. The organization expects to end the fiscal year with a $5.6 million deficit after also ending last year in the red, and said it can no longer cover an operating shortfall with its financial reserves. Keeping membership dues at $25 would "require dramatic cuts in services" and passing on more costs to local councils, it said.
Girl Scouts' national delegates will vote on the fee increase proposals at a virtual special session on Saturday, October 19.
Girl Scouts of the USA had not yet responded to a request for comment at time of publication.
