Parents of Girl Scouts need to "Be Prepared" for higher prices in the coming years.
The 112-year old group has approved a price increase that will see membership fees jump by 160% in the next two years. That’s the first price increase in eight years.
Dues for 2025 will stay at the current level of $25, but Girl Scouts will pay $45 for a 2026 membership and $65 for one in 2027. While it’s a steep increase, it’s less than the $85 that was initially suggested.
The price increase for scouts comes on the heels of an increase in the price of Girl Scout Cookies earlier this year. In 2024, the price per box jumped from $5 to $6, as production costs increased at the two commercial bakeries that make Thin Mints, Samoas, and other popular offerings. (Cookie prices last went up in 2020.)
While cookies certainly help the bottom line, membership dues make up the bulk of the Girl Scouts revenue—but they haven’t been enough for a while. The Girl Scouts are losing money, with projected losses of $5.6 million this year.
“This investment provides the opportunity to implement initiatives that will have a lasting impact on our Girl Scout councils, volunteers, and the girls and families we serve,” the organization said on its website. “We are committed to providing financial assistance to all who need it.”
While the dues price increase is bound to meet with some pushback from some families, the Girl Scouts said that without them, the organization would have had to make “significant cuts that would negatively impact the Girl Scout experience for years to come.”
The rate increase was voted on by both delegate scouts under the age of 18 and adult members.
