Military families in Montgomery, Blue Ash and Sycamore Township can enroll their children in Scouting America without paying the $85 national registration fee, as area schools prepare to open in mid-August.

The fee waiver, part of a national Scouting America initiative marking the country's 250th anniversary, applies to children of active-duty military families who register online at BeAScout.org. The Dan Beard Council, which serves 12 counties across Southwestern Ohio and Northern Kentucky including Hamilton County, announced the program in late June.

Rachel Estepp-Ennis, vice president of marketing for the Dan Beard Council, told WCPO in an Aug. 4 report that the council has been partnered with the military community for more than 115 years.

"We understand the plight of military families," Estepp-Ennis said. "Kids have to change schools, change churches, change support systems."

Scouting gives children of service members something consistent when families receive new orders and relocate. The council's roots in Greater Cincinnati date to 1913.

How to enroll

Families visit BeAScout.org, enter their zip code to find a local unit and complete a military credential verification. The fee is waived automatically at checkout and is available only through the online process.

One catch: individual council and troop fees may still apply. Estepp-Ennis said those costs can often be offset through fundraising activities such as popcorn sales.

Recruiting push underway

The waiver arrives as the Dan Beard Council enters what it expects to be a major recruiting push. The council aims to reach more than 100,000 kids across the region this season, according to Estepp-Ennis.

The council wrapped up its summer camp season at Camp Friedlander and Cub World Adventure Camp in Loveland with more than 2,000 youth attending. It also opened the $2 million Dever Family Foundation Skilled Trades Education Center at Camp Friedlander in January, featuring automotive bays, plumbing instruction and a robotics bay.

That's good news for military families settling in before the school year. Families can find local packs and troops at BeAScout.org.

Coming up

Sycamore Community Schools open Aug. 13 with a staggered start by last name. The Dan Beard Council's Scout Achievement Center and Scout Shop are located at 10078 Reading Road, Cincinnati (513-577-7700).