This was my first year as well and we did not collect dues. Mainly because it wasn't being done when we signed up, we had a lot of money already and hardly any kids in our pack (not sure how that happened). Anyway, when the new school year starts this year we plan on doing .25 a meeting per kid and every kid needs to bring some aluminium cans (for recylcling) and see how that goes. Most of our kids are not from affluent areas but they all drink cokes! I paid for most of our projects and supplies this year out of my pocket too because I just didn't want to use up what money we had but I know I can't keep doing that if we grow as a pack which is our plan.
If you sell enough popcorn you don't need to collect dues and stress that to the kids/parents when it's time to sell (the more you sell, the more stuff we get to do that you don't have to pay for).
Also get a budget going for next year and see how much you'll need to do your crafts and such. Every pack needs a budget for sure which I now realize and which we are going to do this coming year.
I wouldn't count on parents bringing supplies. anything can happen and if someone with the paint doesn't show up what do you do because you are right- it's hard enough to get them to bring the books so have supplies on hand.
No matter what, dues are a good thing to do as it teaches the kids responsibility.
