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Garden State Council, Scouting America > Resources > Unit and Membership Renewal

Unit and Membership Renewal

Scouting America Members and Units must complete a renewal process each year to remain active in the Scouting program. Starting this year, individual membership has been separated from the Unit Renewal or Recharter process.

Members that joined Scouting after August 1, 2023 will be able to renew their membership in Scouting starting in June, 60 days before their membership expires.

Unit leaders must choose a Membership Renewal method before the end of May, 2024!

National’s Unit & Membership Renewal page provides several resources, but it needs to be updated. Some of the information is out of date or is meant for Council staff. This Garden State Council page will provide information and links appropriate to unit leaders.

Membership Renewal

Members that joined Scouting after August 1, 2023 will be able to renew their membership starting in June, 60 days before their membership expires.

Membership can be renewed in one of two ways:

  • Family/Self Pay – An email notification will be sent 60 days prior to expiration and the family can do the renewal online.
  • Unit Pay – The unit’s Key 3 leaders are notified which members are due to expire and can select the members to be renewed. The unit can then pay for the renewing members.

These two Auto-renewal processes are summarized on this Member Renewal Infographic.

Unit leaders should choose between the two renewal methods using the Unit Pay option in My.Scouting.org /Organization Manager. Detailed instructions can be found in this job aid.

Unit Renewal

Unit renewals are also changing. The new process will be much simpler and is described in this Unit Renewal Guide.

Watch this page and the Garden State Council Knapsack for more information as we approach October and the Unit Renewal season.

Membership Fees Infographic

These fees took effect May 1st 2024. Membership is no longer prorated and applies for 1 year from the date of joining.

2024 Membership Infographic Photo

Documents and Resources

Packs, Troops, Crews, and Ships

The gold fleur di lis with ealge logo of the Scouts BSA program
The green diamond with white pack and yellow V detail of the Venturing BSA logo
The logo of Sea Scouting BSA is a an anchor with a gold and brown fleur di lis and superimposed eagle emblazoned with the words Be Prepared.

  • Youth Application

    Have new youth joining your unit before the end of the year? Get them registered! Make sure they are official, on your roster, and covered by insurance as quickly as possible. Click the thumb's up icon to download an application.

  • Adult Application

    Have adults joining your unit leadership or unit committee? Get them registered! Make sure they are official, on your roster, covered by insurance, background checked, and Youth Protection Trained as quickly as possible. Click the person icon to download an adult application. Then go to the next item and download the Criminal Background Check form.

  • Criminal Background Check

    Have adults joining your unit leadership or unit committee? Have new Youth Participants who are 18-21? They will need to submit the Criminal Background Check (CBC) form with their application. Click the magnifying glass to download the CBC form.

  • Annual Charter Agreement

    Chartering organizations renew their agreement with Council -- and thereby with the BSA -- to "use Scouting to further the Charter Organization’s aims and values for youth." This statement is one of several points outlined in this document that must be signed by the Charter Organization Representative, the unit's Committee Chair, and the Council. Click the handshake to download the Annual Charter Agreement.

  • Financial Assistance Application

    Families in need of financial assistance to participate in Scouting can submit this application that must also be signed by the unit leader. Click the money to download the form.

Explorer Posts

The letters in the word EXPLORING written to make a box with the O in the middle in a contrasting color. Compass points in that same color sit outside the letters at the top, bottom, and each side.

  • Youth Application

    Have new youth joining your unit before the end of the year? Get them registered! Make sure they are official, on your roster, and covered by insurance as quickly as possible. Click the thumb's up icon to download an application.

  • Adult Application

    Have adults joining your unit leadership or unit committee? Get them registered! Make sure they are official, on your roster, covered by insurance, background checked, and Youth Protection Trained as quickly as possible. Click the person icon to download an adult application. Then go to the next item and download the Criminal Background Check form.

  • Criminal Background Check

    Have adults joining your unit leadership or unit committee? Have new Youth Participants who are 18-21? They will need to submit the Criminal Background Check (CBC) form with their application. Click the magnifying glass to download the CBC form.

  • Background Check Exemption

    Certain professions qualify for the background check exemption. Click the magnifying glass with the minus to download the exemption form.

  • Memorandum of Understanding

    The professional organizations that sponsor Explorer Posts must renew their Memorandum of Understanding with the Council -- and thereby the BSA -- annually. Click the handshake to download the MOA form.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact your District Executive or our Council Registrar at registrar@gardenstatescouting.org.