Power of plastic: Discover card programs benefit Scouts, Scouting

Ready to lead the charge in your pack, troop, team, or crew?

Check out the Boy Scouts of America’s new Discover card programs, which offer a lesson in financial responsibility for your Scouts and a boost for the BSA.

There are two separate components to the program. Here’s what you need to know: 

Prepaid Discover card for Scouts

This isn’t a credit card. Instead, it’s a prepaid, reloadable card that’s safer and more practical than the wad of cash in your Scouts’ cargo shorts.

Parents, you can monitor your Scout’s purchases through the online or mobile site, making this an easy way to give your kids an allowance and ensure they don’t blow it all on comic books and candy bars.

The card, issued by UMB Bank, mFunds, and First California Bank, is “designed as a Scout’s first financial tool to teach financial education and responsibility.”

Other benefits:

  • Online and mobile access to the card account
  • Special financial education information for parents and Scouts to discuss
  • Direct ties to earning-related merit badges, such as Personal Management
  • Safety concierge service for Scouts in emergency situations
  • Access to discounts at tens of thousands of merchants nationwide

Learn more: Web site to register for more info.

Discover credit card for Scouters

Moms and Dads, this one’s for you. This Discover credit card gives you the financial security you’d expect with a major credit card company backing your purchases, but it’s got one benefit you won’t find with a typical credit card: it rewards you and the Boy Scouts of America.

A simple swipe of your card means a direct benefit to Scouting. A no-brainer, right?

Learn more: Web site to register for more info.

Benefit to Scouting

According to the Scout Wire post about the program, local councils are expected to earn as much as $10 million through this program over the next five years.

That means better camping facilities, more Scouts at camp, and enhanced opportunities for local councils to deliver the program to Scout units.

Coming soon

The cards aren’t yet available, but registering your name and e-mail address at the links above ensures that when they launch, you’ll be the first to know.


About Bryan Wendell 3282 Articles
Bryan Wendell, an Eagle Scout, is the founder of Bryan on Scouting and a contributing writer.