It's Cub/Boy Scout Popcorn time again...

[Mickeypooh99]

I don't know what council/district/state you are in, but selling popcorn is NOT mandatory. If your troop tells you it is, then it is the troop's mandate, not the BSA. It is an encouraged fundraiser, but not mandatory.

In our unit we are required to sell at least $225.00 worth of popcorn per scout. If we don't, then we have to pay $55.00 scouting fee. Our committee chair says it costs this much to fund a boy for a year of scouting. Once we meet our $225.00, then anything over that we get 10% for our scouts fund for camp. Last year it was $200.00 minimum.

I hate selling popcorn. I have 2 boys in scouts so that means $450.00 for our family. I try to keep my attitude positive because I am a den leader. I just feel so bad for the people I'm asking to buy. I wish we could do a different fund raiser. I know one unit that sells candy bars. They said its much easier to sell. We also do a cake auction each October.

My boys love scouting, so we will be out selling the popcorn again.

 

[DawnM]

Honestly, I would rather pay the $55 scouting fee. That is fairly minimal when you look at all they get to do with that amount.

Our last troop was $300 per kid. If we didn't meet that, we were required to pay $90 per scout. I have 2 scouts.

Dawn

In our unit we are required to sell at least $225.00 worth of popcorn per scout. If we don't, then we have to pay $55.00 scouting fee. Our committee chair says it costs this much to fund a boy for a year of scouting. Once we meet our $225.00, then anything over that we get 10% for our scouts fund for camp. Last year it was $200.00 minimum.

I hate selling popcorn. I have 2 boys in scouts so that means $450.00 for our family. I try to keep my attitude positive because I am a den leader. I just feel so bad for the people I'm asking to buy. I wish we could do a different fund raiser. I know one unit that sells candy bars. They said its much easier to sell. We also do a cake auction each October.

My boys love scouting, so we will be out selling the popcorn again.

 

[eatatmidnight]

Well, I am out of the popcorn selling business. Our boy scout troop sells Christmas wreaths. Talk about a limited market. Anyway, I know that the scouts are hoping that scout popcorn will become as popular as Girl Scout cookies. When I was on the cub scout commitee, I questioned this because you can buy all of those popcorns flavors at the store. You can't buy GS cookies at the store.

We did sell popcorn becaue it helps to teach our son to earn his own way. We did not buy it because it all has TBHQ or artificial flavors and that does not work for our son with Tourette's.

Also, after all was said and done, we got about 37 percent of the total sales.

 

[melafive]

I absolutely refuse to go door to door too. I don't want to pressure people to buy. My husband did go a few years ago so we do know a couple good houses that actually like the stuff and will buy. We may just go to them. We also do Blitz's and will do that for the next three Saturdays.

Now, I do have a huge pet peeve regarding blitz's (selling in front of stores). Please please if you are asked and you don't want to buy anything don't ignore the boys and please don't lie and not come back. We understand if you don't want to buy!!!! We have had people flat out ignore our scouts, I simple no thanks will do. Also we have had people say they will buy it go out to their car to unload packages and squeal out of the parking lot. Now I understand that it is expensive and you don't want the stuff but it is not fair to get the boys' hope up and flat out lie.

We also open the packages and sell them by the piece. A much more reasonable sale. I thought there was a rule where they could not take cash donations?

 

[eatatmidnight]

Well, I am out of the popcorn selling business. Our boy scout troop sells Christmas wreaths. Talk about a limited market. Anyway, I know that the scouts are hoping that scout popcorn will become as popular as Girl Scout cookies. When I was on the cub scout commitee, I questioned this because you can buy all of those popcorns flavors at the store. You can't buy GS cookies at the store.

We did sell popcorn becaue it helps to teach our son to earn his own way. We did not buy it because it all has TBHQ or artificial flavors and that does not work for our son with Tourette's.

Also, after all was said and done, we got about 37 percent of the total sales.

I'm pretty sure that in our area the popcorn is Cousin Willies.

 

[NMW]

I would buy it if it was a good friend. I DID buy it this year (some $17 carmel corn thing) from a friends son. Then, I found out that DH bought the same exact product from a kid in our neighborhood. I only bought it to be nice. Now girl scout cookies on the other hand...those I buy because I love them!


I HATE it when the boy scouts stand outside stores and ambush me. I would never buy from them that way. Everyone I know hates that. I don't know why stores let them do it. I've actually seen them outside of Sams Club and decided I could wait another day for a Sams trip. I kept driving and went to Barnes and Noble instead.

 

[LuckyMamaInDE]

Our son is a Life Scout now. Both his Boy Scout troop and his Cub pack did not participate in the popcorn sale. Each group (different chartering organizations btw) holds a very successful pancake breakfast in the fall/winter. The boys sell tickets ($4 adult, $2.50 kid all you can eat pancakes, limited sausage) through the different churches and in the community. The Boy Scout b'fast has been held for decades!

 

[iheartdisney]

See, I have the opposite problem...same problem I have with Girl Scout Cookies...no one sells anymore! 2 years in a row...no cookies.
I want some chocolate popcorn, and again...no scouts!

But for those that want to help, but don't want popcorn, last year my cousin called and told me they were selling popcorn to be shipped overseas to the troops. Help out 2 good causes at once, and no popcorn at your house!

 

[Mickeypooh99]

I would buy it if it was a good friend. I DID buy it this year (some $17 carmel corn thing) from a friends son. Then, I found out that DH bought the same exact product from a kid in our neighborhood. I only bought it to be nice. Now girl scout cookies on the other hand...those I buy because I love them!
.

This is the problem with the popcorn. Most people only buy because they want to be nice. The popcorn is good, but not spectacular. I totally agree about the girls scout cookies. I look forward to a box of those caramal delites every year. I eat the whole thing in one day too. Which means I have to buy several boxes.

DawnM, I guess our scouting fee of $55.00 isn't so bad compared to the $90.00. Still I feel like we should sell, because I am a leader.

 

[imthatgirl]

i have a girl scout and i was given the cancy and magazine raisers. i refuse to do them. i refuse to ask my friends and family to buy things they neither want nor need.
i will however send an email out that i have cookies. anyone who wants some can come to me. i wont beg.

 

[Mickeypooh99]

I thought there was a rule where they could not take cash donations?

I thought this too. Boy was I embarrased when I mentioned at a committee meeting that I had refused a cash donation. Everyone yelled at me. Then they all laughed about it, but they were serious. We were having our committee meeting at a local restauraunt, and a guy at the next table walked over and handed out committe leader $20.00. I think he felt sorry for me.

 

[Kae]

I am going to buy because my best friend's son is selling but I don't like the popcorn. I wish they sold something else - the cookie dough would be great- just in time for Christmas!
I can make popcorn so much cheaper than buying that big tin. ugh. oh well - good cause I keep telling myself.

there is a trail mix this year with real M & M's in it. There is also the option of sending popcorn to the troops. We love the TrailsEnd popcorn. And there are alot of people who collect those tins. I would prefer lower price in a box.

DS is a Cub Scout & this is his last year selling the Popcorn & DH last year of Chairing it. Next year when he is a Boy Scout it is Wreaths & roping. We are lucky he has 3 Business People who buy it for Christmas gifts & we have a friend who owns a Breakfast place that we sell outside of, tomorrow morning bright & early.

Kae

 

[poohguys]

We have our pack meeting tonight and will be getting all the details. I know last year they wanted you to sell $60 worth of popcorn or give a $20 donation. From what I am seeing we got off cheap! DS did sell $90 worth last year. I hate doing this stuff too, but I am a den leader so feel like I should set an example. We get our popcorn Mid Nov. and then they are starting with cinnamon bun sales! It is just too much. I agree that I think the candy bars would be better or a pancake breakfast. (We have a pancake & sausage dinner, but all the proceeds go to the Scout House). I am not doing anything with the school fundraiser. Once again it is nothing but overpriced wrapping paper-I would rather just give a donation to the school.

 

[Momto4boys]

I have SUCH mixed feelings on the popcorn this year. I paid $180 for membership for each scout. There is a discount for the 3rd child so my Beaver is only $100. Last year the older boys sold over $600 worth of popcorn and they had picked scout shop certificates as their incentive prize. They were given the incentive sheet showing the things they could pick when we got the forms for the popcorn. 1 of the boys got a $5 certificate when it was supposed to be $10 and some stupid dollar store thing. The other boy that sold about $450 worth and should have had a $20 certificate got this whistle compass thing that was crap. I was really unhappy with the way they went about this dangling the incentive and not even giving it after they worked their butts off. Some of the popcorn came REALLY late too and I was embarassed at having to make people wait so long.

BUT..there were structural issues with Scout hall last year and the pack now owes a lot of money or Scouts Canada is going to make them sell a peice of land they have that the kids use for various things to pay for the hall repairs. So we're pressured to amp up the fundraising.

 

[a1tinkfans]

Don't want to "stir the pot too much" BUT....

I was a Den Leader for Cub Scouts 5 years and the Packs Trip Coordinator as well (all those trips....bass fishing, stock car racing, Harlem Globetrotters, circus, canoe trip, overnight on carrier, overnight at museum, lighthouse tour with Spooky story night.. the list goes on and on and on) I was also in charge of the POPCORN fundraiser ONE year, NEVER AGAIN!

Our UNIT was responsible to raise money and some Leaders decided that they would DICTATE what their Scouts were required to sell, ie 25 boxes/units etc EACH. It was a NIGHTMARE for the little ones, the PARENTS did the selling, the product was overpriced and NOT even the best in quality. Those that tried to sell it on their own without parent help had a really hard time of it. Many did not meet their quota. The COMMITTEE decided that it was easier to Raise money with this (???) than anything else (they talked about candy and wreaths and dough which was all turned down)

I digress.....the POINT here was the UNIT/PACK throws these HUGE blow outs each year for the moving up ceremonies (hall, music, activities, food, basically a mini wedding) and THATS what the fundraising was really about. The % that the boys got back in their own "account" for the popcorn was very minimal.
Our Parents paid registration fees of $50 upfront and that had nothing to do with fundraising for anything else. There was no offset.
So, I WONDER if the $$ is really going to "other things" like ceremonies that perhaps ALSO need to be cut down on???? I mean ALL the kids were required to sell but many families could not afford to go to the ceremony because of cost, which WAS offset by the popcorn $ raised, though slightly. SO I wonder if some Packs use the POPCORN and other overpriced items to help a "few" rather then the group as a whole. Perhaps THAT should be discussed and cutting back on these "things" would cut down on some of the NEED to fundraise.

By the way, EVERYONE knows to come to MY house to sell stuff because I was so involved with school, scouts, on PTA board, etc, so it turned into a Curse for me, I REALLY try to buy minimal now, its CRAZY!!
Best of Luck!!
As an aside, all our trips were paid for BY the parents, we got CRAZY deals since so many people participated. I must say they were amazing experiences for the kids and the parents (who also brought siblings to many things)

 

[D&D's Mom]

In our unit we are required to sell at least $225.00 worth of popcorn per scout. If we don't, then we have to pay $55.00 scouting fee. Our committee chair says it costs this much to fund a boy for a year of scouting. Once we meet our $225.00, then anything over that we get 10% for our scouts fund for camp. Last year it was $200.00 minimum.

I hate selling popcorn. I have 2 boys in scouts so that means $450.00 for our family. I try to keep my attitude positive because I am a den leader. I just feel so bad for the people I'm asking to buy. I wish we could do a different fund raiser. I know one unit that sells candy bars. They said its much easier to sell. We also do a cake auction each October.

My boys love scouting, so we will be out selling the popcorn again.

Actually, (speaking as a former committee chair & current treasurer), it does not cost that much to fund a boy for a year if you are only considering registration and insurance. However, depending on the amount of advancement awards, it can cost even more than that. Our troop just charges dues of $50 per year to cover registration/insurance/and adult registrations. (We do not ask our adults to pay to volunteer their time.) Boys are offered the opportunity to sell popcorn to earn money toward their dues, summer camp, & any other activities (in that order). Troops earn 35% of the sales & we just pass that along to the boy who sold it. None of it goes to the troop itself. That way, those who are not financially able to fund the cost themselves have a way to fundraise. Those who are not interested can just pay out of pocket. Works very well for us!

 

[shirleyb]

Our troop does not actively push the popcorn, and my boys never sold it. We have friends who did sell one year, and their neighbors actually asked them not to again, because the popcorn was so bad.

 

[pednurse]

Mom of a Webelo level scout here....our troop sells popcorn every year and does quite well. Personally we really like the popcorn (and so do many of the people we know who hunt us down when they find out it's popcorn season so they can buy some). We don't go door-to-door....I have a personal policy against my kids selling ANYTHING door-to-door for ANY organization, whether it be scouts, school, whatever....I don't think it's safe. We only sell to friends and family and we don't push. We let them know we are selling the popcorn (or girl scout cookies in the case of my daughter come that season early next year) and if they want some, they can order some.....if not, that is fine too. Usually we are asked about the order forms without asking them because they have heard (or remembered since it's always the same time of year) that it's time for it again. Never sell tons, but that is not our goal....just to do our part to help the troop. And yes, you can also now send popcorn to the men and women defending our county to show your support.

 

[nuke]

My husband is Cubmaster and popcorn chair, I'm the treasurer for the pack.
We have 26 boys. Last year we spent over $300 on awards, patches, and advancement. With all the excursions, camping, parties etc we spend about $2000 a year and I am frugal!
We only charge the boys $25 a year to sign up and $10 of that goes to Council so we have a $1740 deficit approximately that we make up in fundraising.

All that said we do popcorn sales and make about $1500 a year profit for the Pack. The rest is made up from bake sales.

We sold out in front of grocery stores here a couple of weekends ago. One weekend, two stores, 6 hours each day. We sold over $3000 worth just that weekend. The take orders will make up the rest of our sales and we don't require anyone to sell anything. We spell it all out for the parents at the first pack meeting and we have been lucky that our community and scout families are so generous.

By the way I'm addicted to Kettle Corn.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

I have a Weeblo II scout and we have never sold popcorn. After having a child in the Catholic school for 3 years, I've had enough fund raising to last me a lifetime, because there it was mandatory.

I would sooner write the $55.00 check then go through all the hassle of selling things.