Most, if not all, scouting organizations participate as unpaid volunteers at community functions and special events. If they didn't, the city would have to staff those events at a significant cost.
If folks want the BSA “off of welfare” then they need to put up or shut up. The BSA is not on welfare, it was started as a volunteer organization and has basically been one ever since. With growth comes organization and the need for paid professionals to ensure continuity. There is also the cost in buildings, land, maintenance and salaries to name a few.
Years ago, it was noticed that the BSA is the best “one stop shopping” for values based programs that develop the future crop of our country’s leaders. If that isn’t worth 1 stinkin’ dollar per year, I don’t know what the hell is.
SZ