For military families, finding a sense of stability during moves, deployments, and constant transitions isn't always easy. Effective June 1, 2026, Scouting America is taking a major step to support service members by waiving the national youth registration fee for children of active-duty, National Guard, and Reserve families.
Whether your child is taking their first steps in Cub Scouts or aiming for the Eagle Scout rank, this nationally funded initiative ensures that financial barriers won't stand in the way of character building, outdoor adventure, and lifelong friendships. Here is everything you need to know about the new Military Family Fee Waiver and how to claim it.
✅ Effective June 1, 2026
✅ $85 off per youth member (reduces the National youth registration fee to $0)
✅ For all new or renewing youth members with a parent or guardian currently serving in the active-duty military, National Guard, or Reserves
✅ Exclusively available for youth through online registration only at BeAScout.org
✅ $39 Heart of America Council Program Fee is not included in this discount
Military Family Fee Waiver Explainer
*New youth/adults in the Heart of America Council are eligible for special new member discount August 1 - October 31, 2026.
*This Military Family Fee Waiver applies specifically to youth registrations. Adult volunteer registration fees remain standard.
How to Claim Your Waiver:
The verification process is integrated directly into Scouting America’s online registration platform. Here is how to complete it:
1. Visit BeAScout.org and search for local units in your neighborhood or base community.
2. Click "Apply Now" to start your child’s new or renewal registration.
3. Select "Get Military Discount Code" and when prompted during checkout, choose the military verification option.
4. Follow the quick online verification steps to confirm active-duty, Guard, or Reserve status.
5. Enter the generated discount code at checkout. The $85 national registration fee will immediately adjust to $0.
*Don't panic if you see $85 listed initially—the national fee shows up in the cart first and drops to $0 once your verification code is applied.
Need extra help? Our council also offers scout Scholarships and Campership funds to ensure every child can participate. Click here to learn more about our Scout Scholarship program.
Ready to Get Started?
If you’ve been thinking about enrolling your child in Scouting, there has never been a better time to jump in. Head over to BeAScout.org, grab your military discount code during checkout, and start your family's next adventure today! You can also find our list of sign-up nights in the area at KCScouting.org.