Troop Finances

Troop 35’s budget is created in March for the fiscal year beginning on April 1. Monthly budget reports are provided during troop committee meetings.

Operating income for Troop 35 comes from initial registration fees, annual dues, and the annual wreath sales fundraiser. Expenses include camping, rechartering fees, insurance, troop equipment, and other expenses approved by the troop committee. All fees noted below are for 2025. Payments may be made by Zelle, cash/check, or from the scout’s Scout Bucks account.

Initial Registration Fee

When a new scout joins Troop 35, they pay an initial registration fee of $100, with $60 of that amount covering the cost of troop-supplied uniform items and the scout handbook.

Annual Dues

Annual dues are requested in January/February and are $100.

Scout Bucks

Each scout in the troop has an individual Scout Bucks account that is funded with money earned through our annual wreath sales fundraiser. Scout Bucks may only be used for Troop 35 annual dues, campouts, summer camp, high adventure trips, Class B uniforms, or Eagle projects. 

Scout Bucks account balances are maintained by the troop treasurer. To use Scout Bucks, an email must be sent to the troop treasurer (treasurer@wheatontroop35.org) indicating the amount requested and usage details.

Camping and Activity Fees

Monthly campout fees are $20. An additional fee may be requested for activities such as rock climbing, skiing, tours, etc.

Mileage Reimbursement Guidelines 

Drivers shall be reimbursed 14 cents per mile (in service of charitable organizations) based on the IRS’s Standard Mileage Rates. This reimbursement will be paid upon request to any adult transporting scouts to/from scouting activities when driving scouts in addition to his/her own child.

Trailer Drivers

Drivers transporting the troop trailer may either request reimbursement at the charitable rate or submit gas receipts for actual expenses incurred. 

Drivers are expected to arrive with a full tank when picking up the trailer. Keep all your gas receipts for the trip, and fill up after dropping off the trailer. Email all gas receipts with the expense details to the treasurer for reimbursement.

Volunteer Training

Adult volunteers may be reimbursed for required training, such as CPR and Wilderness First Aid (WFA), with approval from the Troop Committee. The reimbursement will not exceed the cost of Scouting America-sponsored training.

Cancellation Policy

A scout who commits to participate in a local troop activity must cancel no later than one week prior to the event in order to receive a refund. There is a good amount of preparation for these activities, and commitments need to be stable.

High adventure and summer camp require significant advance payments and will not be refunded by the troop. Individuals should check with the high adventure or summer camp for their refund policies.

Fundraising

Troop 35 scouts are encouraged to raise money to support their scouting activities during the annual wreath sales fundraiser. A portion of the door-to-door personal sales profits go directly to the scout’s Scout Bucks account.

A scout is thrifty: he pays his own way. Scouting activities and equipment are expensive, and the wreath sales fundraiser gives every scout the opportunity to earn the funds to pay for participating in those activities. It also provides the troop with funds to purchase tents, stoves, dining tarps, patrol boxes, buckets, wood tools, and the myriad other things needed for an effective troop program.

The Troop Committee must approve all fundraising activities that are conducted using the name of Troop 35. Troop approved fundraising is intended for the benefit of the active scouts in the troop.

Donations

100% of donations to Troop 35 will go directly to the Troop 35 general fund. Donations received by a scout for Troop 35 while participating in a troop fundraiser (i.e. customer makes a donation in lieu of a wreath purchase) or at any time WILL NOT be considered when calculating Scout Bucks.