have you ever fundraised to send your child on a school trip

[Bob NC]

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[klynn]

The OP said she was going to drive but then their van was in an accident so now she is looking at flying.

I suggested renting a car. That should less expensive than flying. I bet a 2 day car rental wouldn't even be $100.

 

[happygirl]

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[Shelly F - Ohio]

He could hire himself out to do odd jobs, pet sit, babysit, shovel snow, prep spring gardens, clean garages and attics and basements, wash windows, etc.

He could find things he is willing to part with and advertise on Craigs list.

I would never suggest asking for donations, I consider that super tacky and inappropriate.

I agree with the idea of earning his way there rather than relying on donations. People are more willing to donate when there is a group trying to raise money for a cause. But to ask others to donate to fund a trip for a single person may be harder.
He is at a good age to learn the fundamentals of earning money to get what you want so doing odd jobs is a great way to get him started. I have seen kids put up posters on bulletin boards at convient stores advertising their services and listing a phone number tear off tab at the bottom. Check with churches they may know of an elderly person who needs help around the house.

 

[Skywalker]

I also wanted to teach him that by raising some of the money himself that he can do it if its what he want to do.

I would think the best way to do that is to teach him to earn it. Like another poster said, hire himself out to do odd jobs, sell things on ebay, whatever. Asking for someone else to hand out the money doesn't really teach him much.

 

[Mickeypooh99]

Thanks to Michelle Obama, no one can sell candy during school, even during extracurricular time. My oldest got to go to Stratford, Ontario her senior year because the AP English class sold so many candy bars--now my younger daughter's class might not get to go at all because no other fundraisers make that kind of money.
Daisyx3

Is this true? I was just at my DS's basketball game at the school on Saturday, and there were people at a table selling candy bars to support youth sports.

I agree with the posters that have said to have him raise the money himself doing odd jobs, or selling things on ebay.

 

[yoopermom]

I have to side with the group that says he should offer to do "odd jobs" in exchange for donations.

DS has been in a similar situation. When he's going on a trip with a school group, we allow him to do the fundraising that they all participate in as a group.

Last summer, when he went to Belize, we did NOT allow him to "fundraise", he had to work for the $$, or ask relatives for $$ for birthday/Christmas to put towards the trip.

They should send the award to HIM, not expect him to find the $$ to come and get it, IMHO.

Terri

 

[fakereadhed]

I would think the best way to do that is to teach him to earn it. Like another poster said, hire himself out to do odd jobs, sell things on ebay, whatever. Asking for someone else to hand out the money doesn't really teach him much.

This!

I find it funny that any disagreement that others should pitch in on a trip to receive an award has been labeled as "criticism". It's just a different way of looking at it.

This trip is optional. I'm sure he will still receive the award, just not in person. Not going will not lessen his achievement.

 

[Allison]

Is this true? I was just at my DS's basketball game at the school on Saturday, and there were people at a table selling candy bars to support youth sports.

I agree with the posters that have said to have him raise the money himself doing odd jobs, or selling things on ebay.

No. It's done at my school.

 

[Allison]

I would think the best way to do that is to teach him to earn it. Like another poster said, hire himself out to do odd jobs, sell things on ebay, whatever. Asking for someone else to hand out the money doesn't really teach him much.

Yep-time to start earning the money through odd jobs-not donations.

 

[surfgirl]

Congratulations to your son!


I echo what most are saying - it feels funny to "fundraise" for a private trip to receive an award. We've probably also seen lots of 'awards' that aren't really so - they are just designed to raise money for the organization.

I like the idea of him receiving it at an award ceremony/assembly at school.

I know this isn't the answer you wanted to hear.

 

[SaraJayne]

Is this true? I was just at my DS's basketball game at the school on Saturday, and there were people at a table selling candy bars to support youth sports.

I agree with the posters that have said to have him raise the money himself doing odd jobs, or selling things on ebay.

No, it isn't true.

 

[surfgirl]

Is this true? I was just at my DS's basketball game at the school on Saturday, and there were people at a table selling candy bars to support youth sports.

While there is no "law" or national "policy", some schools are putting restrictions on what can be sold in school or during school hours. Michelle Obama has drawn attention to the childhood obesity problem (real!) and schools are trying to find a way to... well, I guess the best term is not contribute. imho, they should make a hard look at what is served in the lunch cafeteria! It is all about fulfilling requirements at a low cost. Why do you think ketchup was re-classified as a vegetable 20 years ago and it was a big deal? It saved a ton of money at schools!

I may have read the post wrong, but that was my interpretation - not that it was legislated -

 

[fakereadhed]

No, it isn't true.

Yes it is! You are only allowed to sell Brussel sprouts now at school. It's a new federal law.

 

[ccgirl]

Yes it is! You are only allowed to sell Brussel sprouts now at school. It's a new federal law.

I couldn't bake the small cupcakes for my son's birthday. Yet, one mom sent in carrots with full fat dressing.... Um...the cupcakes were actually healthier/less fat. That was the ironic part. I am so against that and the BMI testing. Sorry to go OT.

In any case, OP, since this is just your son I think you would need to reach out to friends/family rather than fundraising. Someone gave the suggestion to rent a car. As I said, check in to the tax ramifications if you decide to go the fundraising route.

 

[luvsJack]

As for the candy bars during school--we can only sell "non approved" items (so called "healthy) before school officially begins, after school (to kids waiting in car line, for instance) and at school dances, ballgames, etc.

As for the fundraising for this child to go and receive his award: this isn't an unusual thing to do. There is a young man in dd's class who has been invited on some type of leadership trip and he is fundraising to be able to go. (money just for him not the rest of the people going).

He has sold suckers to the kids waiting for car line, his dad brought an ice chest of cold bottled water to sell then too (mostly to parents waiting in the cars). He has also sold pencils (the kind that have a scent) and other school supply type items.

His parents had a bake sale in front of Wal Mart, and had really nice homemade baked items--I was told it did really well.

I think they also have purchased some gift cards that they raffled off--one to WalMart and one to Gatti Town Pizza (the kids bought the tickets to that one).

 

[aprilgail2]

Is this true? I was just at my DS's basketball game at the school on Saturday, and there were people at a table selling candy bars to support youth sports.

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depends on the school district- ours got some gold award for being one of the healthiest school districts- it goes as far as not allowing the fundraising packets of stuff that go home to have anything unhealthy in there to sell, no pies, no chocolate, no cookie dough etc--so you can't even SELL the stuff to adults!!!

I would ask if the school board or PTO could help with the cost. Since it's an award that a teacher nominated him for there is no harm in asking.

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If you have a PTO that might go over but with a PTA it could not- you can not do something to help ONE child, it has to be something that benefits all the children not just one.

Can kids get paper routes anymore? I'm pretty sure that around here paper routes are done by adults in the very early morning hours (before 5:30 am) from their cars. I haven't seen a kid on a bike throwing newspapers since the late 80's!
.

Not here- adults deliver the papers around 3am- they drive by and toss them at the houses. they haven't had kids doing paper routes since the mid 80's. I can't see many parents now letting their early teen go out at 3/4 am delivering papers on their own.

 

[okeydokey]

Since the nomination for the award came from the school I think the award should be sent to the school and presented there. That way he will receive it in front of his friends, teachers, family members and classmates. Schools usually have assemblies where awards are given out.

What a terrific idea!

 

[Leajess99]

Wow, I was shocked to read this I think this person might be joking! I think if it was a surprise and unexpected sure fundraise........maybe trips can't be cancelled or rescheduled or they have been planning them for years.

Why would I be joking?? Why should strangers be asked to pay for one child and their family to go on a trip?? I think it is up to the parents to provide for the child if they want to go.

 

[Leajess99]

IT'S not that i'm making him fundraise. THis was something that i was not expecting it has nothing to do with if i go on vacation or not. Some of the things that have come up are the fact that last friday upon taking my dad to the hospital because he appered to be suffering a stroke a lady pulled out in front of me causing a accident. The van that i was driving was the one that i intended to take on this trip bnow instead i have to look into airfare that i was not counting on.

I will never ask for donations or handouts that is not what i want i just wanted to know if there is some way to raise the extra it will now take to get us there. And for your info i have cancelled one of my trips due to dh not being able to get off of work for that length of time.

I'm sorry to hear of your dad's emergency and the accident but did the other person not have insurance?? If they did and they caused the accident than their insurance should be fixing (unless you live in a no fault state) and providing you with a rental.

Legally, I doubt you can fundraise because it is a family trip and not a group trip. It is not a school trip either. As another poster stated I would have the school present it to him so his friends, teachers and classmates could see him get the award. We had a child here get the Troy Polamalu Student of the Year Award for Elementary and it was given in a school wide assembly. I would think that would mean more than going to have strangers award it if you cannot afford to.

WAY TO GO TO HIM ON ALL HIS HARD WORK!!!!!