Question	Why does Troop 44 hold several fund-raising events each year?
Answer	Troop 44 holds several fund-raising events each year so that it can fund its operations without imposing more than a "modest" annual fee upon the parents of Scouts within the Troop. Roughly half the annual registration fee per Scout collected by the Troop in September is used to pay each Scout's annual BSA registration fee, insurance, and subscription to "Boy's Life" magazine.  The balance is used to cover the cost of adult volunteer registrations and pay for awards earned by the Scouts. These funds are not enough to pay for the rest of the costs involved in operating the Troop, which include: Buying equipment for the Troop, such as new tents and tarps, and Dutch ovens Buying equipment for each Patrol, such as cooking gear and propane stoves and lanterns Buying "camping consumables," such as paper towels and toilet paper Paying for awards, such as rank advancement and merit badges Costs associated with hosting Webelos at our campouts (recruiting expenses) Since its inception, Troop 44 has held these fund-raising events: A can and bottle drive each Fall and each Spring A BSA/Knox Trail Council/Troop 44 popcorn sale each Fall Selling soda and popcorn at the Mendon Lions Country Fair A Christmas tree recycling pick-up in early January Simply put, the proceeds from these events help to fund the Troop's annual budget and are a necessary part of our annual program.  The Troop picks fund-raising activities that involve the Scouts and their parents, so that everyone feels "ownership" in the success of Troop 44.