Membership and Unit Renewal

The renewal grace period ends December 31, 2026. Starting January 1, 2027, a membership must be current to stay active.

Scouting America is simplifying how membership renewal works. The biggest change for families: the extra time after your renewal date is going away. Find what you need below.

I’m a parent or member I’m a unit leader
Two Simon Kenton Council Scouts in uniform, one holding the American flag

What’s changing

The grace period after your renewal date is being phased out.

  • If your renewal date is inOctober 2026
    You have untilDecember 31, 2026
  • If your renewal date is inNovember 2026
    You have untilDecember 31, 2026
  • If your renewal date is inDecember 2026 and after
    You have untilYour renewal date

After December 31, 2026, a membership that is not renewed by its renewal date becomes inactive that day. An inactive member, youth or adult, cannot take part in Scouting activities until they renew.

Smiling Cub Scouts holding the model rockets they built

For families and members

  1. Ask your unit leader who is renewing you. Some units renew every member. In others, families renew themselves. Find out which, so nobody assumes someone else did it.
  2. Check your renewal date. Sign in at my.scouting.org.
  3. Renew early. You can renew up to 60 days before your renewal date. Your new renewal date is the same whenever you renew in that window.

If you renew yourself

  1. Sign in at my.scouting.org and select the notice icon at the top right.
  2. Choose the registration that is expiring.
  3. Review your information and select Go To Payment.
  4. Agree to the terms, and confirm or change your Scout Life subscription.
  5. Enter your card, select Place Order, then Complete Registration.

Adult leaders need current Safeguarding Youth Training before they can renew.

2026–2027 membership fees (national and SKC)

Member Renew by Dec. 31, 2026 Renew Jan. 1, 2027 or later
YouthCub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturing $145 a year $156 a year($13 a month)
AdultsAll programs $65 a year $72 a year($6 a month)

Fees include the national membership fee and the Simon Kenton Council fee. Adults pay no council fee. Renewals from March 2027 are prorated, so they may cost less.

Download the renewal flyer (PDF)
Two Scouts setting up a tent at a campsite below red rock cliffs

For unit leaders

Unit renewal is open. For most units, the charter expires December 31, 2026.

Who can renew

Only the Unit Key 3 can renew the unit: the Unit Leader, Committee Chair and Chartered Organization Representative, or a registered COR Delegate or Key 3 Delegate. Member renewal can be done by the unit, by each family, or a mix. The best practice is for the unit to handle it, so every member is registered properly. Whatever you decide, tell your families early and often.

Before you start your unit renewal

  • Confirm your unit meets the minimum youth and registered adult leader requirements.
  • Check that every adult’s Safeguarding Youth Training is current.
  • Remove or transfer youth who have aged out.
  • Get the annual charter agreement signed by your chartered organization.
  • Decide how you will pay: ACH (routing and account numbers), credit card, or payment at the council office. ACH carries a $1 processing fee; credit cards carry 3%.

Renewing the unit

  1. Open Organization Manager in my.scouting.org.
  2. Select Unit Renewal.
  3. Review and validate your roster and information, and make any changes.
  4. Enter your name in the signature field.
  5. Pay and submit.

Renewal windows

Who Can renew Starting
Unit Key 3 The unit 60 days before the unit’s renewal date
Unit Key 3 Individual members 90 days before each member’s renewal date
Members and parents Themselves or their youth 60 days before their renewal date

Unit fees are prorated. A unit renewal completed from November 2026 on runs through February 2028.

Tell your families: who is renewing them, their renewal date, the fee, how to pay, and to renew early.

Key dates

Date What happens
November 2026 Unit renewal opens. Unit fees are prorated through February 2028.
December 31, 2026 The grace period ends. Most unit charters expire.
January 1, 2027 Membership must be current to stay active. New national and SKC fees take effect.
March 2027 From March 1, member renewals and new registrations are prorated through February 2028.
February 2028 Unit and member renewal become one process with a shared renewal date.

Guides and downloads

Resource For
Unit Processing a Unit Renewal (Sept. 2026) Unit Key 3
Unit Key 3 Renewing Members (Sept. 2026) Unit Key 3
Unit renewal timeline (spreadsheet) Unit leaders
Member renewal timeline (spreadsheet) Unit leaders
Unit preparation for member renewal Unit leaders
Adults / Self or Parent / Youth Renewing Their Membership (Sept. 2026) Members and parents
New member registration details (spreadsheet) New families
2027 Membership Renewal Flyer (PDF) Everyone
Scouting America: Unit and Membership Renewal Everyone

Common questions

Who renews my family’s membership?

Your unit decides. Ask your unit leader whether the unit renews you or you renew yourself.

What happens if I miss my renewal date?

Starting January 1, 2027, your membership becomes inactive that day. You can renew right away to become active again.

Does renewing early shorten my membership?

No. Your new renewal date is the same anywhere in the renewal window.

Where do I find my renewal date?

Sign in at my.scouting.org. Your unit leader can also tell you.

I’m an adult leader. Why can’t I renew?

Your Safeguarding Youth Training must be current. Complete it in my.scouting.org, then renew.

Who can renew our unit?

Only the Unit Key 3 (Unit Leader, Committee Chair, Chartered Organization Representative) or a registered COR Delegate or Key 3 Delegate.

How can our unit pay?

ACH, credit card, or payment at the council office. ACH carries a $1 processing fee; credit cards carry 3%.

Questions?

Start with your unit leader or Unit Commissioner. You can also email skcquestions@scouting.org.

Prepared. For Life.®