DD is a 2nd-year Brownie (Brownies are 2nd & 3rd graders)
We did not have uniform expenses this year; Daisies, Brownies, and Juniors wear their tunics/vests/sashes for 2 years per level. Once girls hit Cadette level, they wear the same vest through Ambassador level.
Registration was $40 (a portion of her registration goes to National; the remainder goes to our local Council.)
I did not have to purchase a new vest ($19.50 ... I think all vests are $19.50; the Daisy tunic is $17.50) or insignia (flag patch, Council ID set, troop numbers) or pin/insignia tab (though some troops pay for the members' pins from troop dues/funds; I was able to do so for my troop.)
I am the troop leader and last year, I charged each Scout $30 troop dues for craft supplies, badges, pins, and the occasional snack. I am working out my budget for 2018-'19 but think $30 troop dues will again be fair.
We used part of the cookie profits to defray the cost of our recent camping trip ($30 per person total; the troop subsidized $15 per person, which allowed all of our troop members to attend.)
All activities are SEPARATE payments from families.
For my troop, I pitch Council events as optional (as they can be a bit overpriced or further away) and Service Unit events tend to be a bit more mandatory (they are often free or low-cost, so much easier for girls to attend.)
If the troop can subsidize a portion of the cost, I will do so and charge families the balance, so a $10 per person event might end up costing families $5 because the troop can front the other $5.
Last year, troop members who attended all Service Unit activities were probably out $100 all told over the course of the year from October through June.
==========================================
Liz
DD (3/2010)
"Make mistakes! Get messy!" - Miss Frizzle