Tips for selling cub scout popcorn???

[DawnM]

Yes,

Crisi said: If you are raising money so middle class kids who get to go to Disney World can go camping, roller skating, or visit Washington DC, don't expect me to pay for it - in the form of popcorn, car washes, or yard sales.


QUOTE=bellebud;46448774]I don't think I've read any post like that (maybe I'm mistaken). It's the soliciting, not the actual act of fundraising that gets to me.[/QUOTE]

 

[sk!mom]

So the proceeds from the ballet fundraising doesn't go for community service either, how is this different from scout fundraising? The money pays for scouting activities, the ballet fundraising pays for ballet. Some of the Scout money also goes to pay chartering fees/scholarships for families who can't afford it.

Sorry, I wasn't clear.

The Rummage Sale and Tea Party were raising money for new costumes. It's different because the purpose was clearly stated.

Also different because we were not going door to door or bugging people in front of a store. We advertised both events and those who are interested come to us.

If the Scouts wanted to plan an event or offer a service to raise funds and then just advertised it and people came to them, I would be fine with it. If it was an event that I was interested in or a service that I could use then I might participate. It's the begging/soliciting for personal gain that I have a problem with.

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

Sorry, I wasn't clear.

The Rummage Sale and Tea Party were raising money for new costumes. It's different because the purpose was clearly stated.

Also different because we were not going door to door or bugging people in front of a store. We advertised both events and those who are interested come to us.

If the Scouts wanted to plan an event or offer a service to raise funds and then just advertised it and people came to them, I would be fine with it. If it was an event that I was interested in or a service that I could use then I might participate. It's the begging/soliciting for personal gain that I have a problem with.

If you ask the scouts what they're selling popcorn for they should be able to tell you, there's even a place on the form for each pack/troop to write it in in case they forget.

What you're doing isn't door to door, but it's still asking people for money to help fund your child's chosen activity. So you would be okay with the scouts just fundraising, it's the door to door soliciting that you have issue with? I'm just clarifying because some posters have said they oppose all fundraising and some are just against door to door.

 

[bellebud]

Yes,

Crisi said: If you are raising money so middle class kids who get to go to Disney World can go camping, roller skating, or visit Washington DC, don't expect me to pay for it - in the form of popcorn, car washes, or yard sales.


QUOTE=bellebud;46448774]I don't think I've read any post like that (maybe I'm mistaken). It's the soliciting, not the actual act of fundraising that gets to me.

[/QUOTE]

I'm sorry, you're right. I myself am not against car washes, yard sales, etc, for any reason (personal gain, iPads, prizes, whatever). I'm only against solicitations in their various forms.

 

[bellebud]

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Only on the budget board. So shortsighted.

But no worries. My community believes in and supports Scouting.

how is it shortsighted?

That I see scouts as the same as other activities now like little league, dance classes, karate, etc?? You think I (we) should all see scouts as something else? Something better perhaps??

 

[bellebud]

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Only on the budget board. So shortsighted.

But no worries. My community believes in and supports Scouting.

oh, and why "only on the budget board"?? I'd post this on any board here. I'm not a regular poster here (I lurk sometimes though). Is it because you think people here are cheap?

I'M the one saying we should all really pay our own way. YOU'RE saying you think your community should pay for your child to be a scout.

Get another job if you need more money to support your child in scouts (or dance, or karate, or little league, etc).

 

[Granny square]

Only better in that it, like big brothers, etc., give an opportunity for young men to bond with one another and with mentors. Far too many boys are being raised without fathers or positive male role models. They statistically benefit from male bonding.

There are other groups which facilitate these relationships also. Most groups around here make a serious effort to foster these relationships.

Lol, but I'm sure someone will be tell me I'm wrong. If people think that only rich kids are scouts they are wrong. But then again I believe in helping those who are in tough times.

 

[crisi]

This indicates that girl scout cookie sales' profit goes to pretty much the same thing the boyscout popcorn goes to:

http://www.gssjc.org/program/cookies-general.cfm

Our local girls sell cookies and it isn't going to only community service projects.

If your troop ONLY uses profits for community work and you all pay for the amount you need to donate to counsil and the amount your local troop needs for awards, etc....then great, but that isn't how I have ever heard it to be.

My troops profit does though.

 

[bellebud]

Only better in that it, like big brothers, etc., give an opportunity for young men to bond with one another and with mentors. Far too many boys are being raised without fathers or positive male role models. They statistically benefit from male bonding.

There are other groups which facilitate these relationships also. Most groups around here make a serious effort to foster these relationships.

Lol, but I'm sure someone will be tell me I'm wrong. If people think that only rich kids are scouts they are wrong. But then again I believe in helping those who are in tough times.

I don't know the statistics, but I know of way more "den mothers" than den fathers. I know mothers who go on the camping trips, canoe trips, etc. From my experience of what I've seen locally, there are some dads involved, but not even 50/50 dads and moms. There are way more moms.

I also believe in helping others. I do it all the time. But the posts on this thread were mostly about winning iPads as prizes, and things of that nature. That's all great, but it's laughable to give that more weight than a little league fundraiser, which is what I, and others apparently, were doing with scouts.

More power to the scouts, it's great for any kids who are enjoying it. But don't tell me it's *better* than other organizations out there, because it's not.

 

[snarfblatt]

My boys are currently selling popcorn and the prizes are never even discussed. They (their pack) warn 70% profit of sales to help offset their camp costs. My 'Bear' will cost me $300 for a 2 night, overnight camp.

The fresh greenery profits we sell idea back to the pack as a whole to offset costs of patches, belt loops etc.

No iPads, no gift certs.

Ya know what they win.... A chase to shave the cub masters head- and they couldn't be more excited!!!

To help send a boy to camp- heck yes!!!
To help him win an iPad- heck NO!!

 

[nchulka]

I really don't understand the hate for kids doing fundraisers. I'm confused by people who seem to think that if the child gets something out of it it's a scam. In my son's CS troop their proceeds from popcorn sales go to pay for summer camp for the kids. Most of the parents who can afford the camp just pay out of pocket and don't bother with the hassle of door to door sales. It is wonderful though for the kids who couldn't go to camp otherwise. There are many kids in scouts that are from poor families and this is their only way to go. For kids like my son who would be going to camp anyway I look at it as an opportunity for him to learn that he has to put forth some effort and earn camp instead of mom just writing a check for it. We have spent the past several weekends walking door to door together. He has to give up his play/fun time to earn his way to camp.

My DD just got back from 5th grade camp, she had a blast. It cost 200.00. The kids sold candy bars to pay for it. Some parents didn't want to be bothered and paid the 200 bucks, and that's fine. Other kids would not have been able to attend without the candy bars. I remember when I was in 5th grade and a girl in my class was from a poor family and had to stay behind in a 4th grade class all week. I think it is wonderful that they give the kids the opportunity to work selling door to door to earn camp. A lot of families would be too proud to apply for financial hardship scholarships but with the candy sales they don't have to. I could have paid the 200 for my DD but I wanted her to have to work for it. She spent many hours walking around the neighborhood selling so she could earn her way to camp instead of it being handed to her.

 

[sk!mom]

If you ask the scouts what they're selling popcorn for they should be able to tell you, there's even a place on the form for each pack/troop to write it in in case they forget.

What you're doing isn't door to door, but it's still asking people for money to help fund your child's chosen activity. So you would be okay with the scouts just fundraising, it's the door to door soliciting that you have issue with? I'm just clarifying because some posters have said they oppose all fundraising and some are just against door to door.

Actually, the money raised is not funding my child's participation or paying for her to do anything extra. The money we raise is going to support the Arts in our community. In this case to replace worn or old costumes which my child may or may not wear.

My main problem is with high pressure solicitation. However, I do have a problem with raising money so that an individual child can go on a fun trip. In my view, you pay for those things yourself.

I happen to believe that the Arts (local Symphony, ballet, community theater) make my city a better place to live so I am willing to donate time and money so that they exist and thrive. However, I would not support them doing high pressure sales. As previously stated, we do mostly events. people are invited, the event is advertised and those who are interested come.

 

[queenbetsey]

I would try at the fire station and police station. Not out in front of the place but ask the officers directly. what could it hurt? alot of those guys were scouts in their youth/
we sold alot of candy bars at the fire station a few years back, just walked up during our rounds on a sat morning

 

[DawnM]

How in the world is it costing you $300 for 2 nights of camp?

I have never, ever paid anything close to that. Our boyscouts go to 7 nights of camp and it cost $225 for the week, including food.

Cubscouts do things like cuberee that cost at most $75 for the weekend.

Dawn

My boys are currently selling popcorn and the prizes are never even discussed. They (their pack) warn 70% profit of sales to help offset their camp costs. My 'Bear' will cost me $300 for a 2 night, overnight camp.

The fresh greenery profits we sell idea back to the pack as a whole to offset costs of patches, belt loops etc.

No iPads, no gift certs.

Ya know what they win.... A chase to shave the cub masters head- and they couldn't be more excited!!!

To help send a boy to camp- heck yes!!!
To help him win an iPad- heck NO!!

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

How in the world is it costing you $300 for 2 nights of camp?

I have never, ever paid anything close to that. Our boyscouts go to 7 nights of camp and it cost $225 for the week, including food.

Cubscouts do things like cuberee that cost at most $75 for the weekend.

Dawn

We've done scouts in a couple different states since we're military and costs definitely vary by area, it also depends on the amenities of the camp.

 

[DawnM]

We would not be a part of a troop that had those kinds of costs, we just couldn't.....everything we do is times 3, $900 for a weekend camp? It wouldn't happen.

Our weekend camps are usually with tents and cost about $10-$15 to cover food. Most are on scout property, so no nightly fees for the tent space.

I am so thankful for our pack/troop. They try very hard to keep the costs down while providing the boys with fun.

Dawn

We've done scouts in a couple different states since we're military and costs definitely vary by area, it also depends on the amenities of the camp.

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

We would not be a part of a troop that had those kinds of costs, we just couldn't.....everything we do is times 3, $900 for a weekend camp? It wouldn't happen.

Our weekend camps are usually with tents and cost about $10-$15 to cover food. Most are on scout property, so no nightly fees for the tent space.

I am so thankful for our pack/troop. They try very hard to keep the costs down while providing the boys with fun.

Dawn

That's how ours usually are too, but some of the 3-day boy scout summer camps are that much.

 

[wshupnastar]

This thread (even if it was an old one to start) has had me glued to my computer.

Now, however, I am not feeling very "normal". I actually have no problem with neighborhood kids ringing the doorbell and selling stuff. I just make my decision on whether or not to buy based on a few things. First off, if I can actually afford the product. Second, is it a legit fundraiser (at least, I hope I know the difference) and third, will one of my niece's be selling the same thing? (I always buy from them first.) Of course, I live in a small community, I am certain I would feel different if I lived in a city where this became a nightly or even a weekly thing.

I was a GS troop leader for years with my oldest daughter. We never went door to door to sell cookies and she was the top seller in our troop every year she sold. Honestly, GS cookies just sell themselves around here. I would have people contact me at the beginning of the school year asking me to remind them when cookie sales were. We did a lot of "fun" things with the money our troop made, but we balanced it with community service and we also didn't charge any dues to our Scouts. If the girls were making money from their cookie sales, then there was no sense in charging the (very modest, at least around here) dues other troops charged. Our troop was very diverse, we had some kids who went to private school and their parents clearly were well off, others who qualified for state assistance. We tried to make it easy for any child who wanted to join. We also did not require cookie sales, but every girl ended up always contributing. Until this thread, I had no idea some groups required sales/donations. I feel so naive.

I have no problem with the funds being used for "personal stuff" as it's just the way it has always been. Heck, a few years ago our neighbors daughter walked around our neighborhood selling candy that she had bought herself and was selling for a slight profit...to make money to buy something that she wanted. She told us why she was selling...and, yes, I bought some candy! I thought it was quite smart of her at the young age of 8 or 9 to purchase something and sell it at a mark-up...to me that was just being an "entrepreneur".

I won't, however, support the Boy Scouts. I have 2 daughters, so no conflict on the "to be a Boy Scout or Not" topic. But, I do make the decision to not give them my money. I don't support their policies...I don't feel I need to feel guilty about not supporting them. There are other organizations I feel the same way about, it's just a personal decision. I am not going to be rude if a child comes to my door and asks me to buy popcorn, a simple "No thank you" and that is that. Now, if it were an adult selling (as I have seen at local town events...adults selling...kids nowhere to be seen.) I will mention why I don't support the Boy Scouts (as polite as possible) just because I believe maybe someday policies will change to include everyone. Again, I would never tell a child this...although I think the older scouts do need to be taught how to handle it if others do tell them why they aren't buying.

My best friend's son is a Boy Scout. He also plays baseball and is on the wrestling team. I will buy anything (whether I need it or not) from him when it comes to him making money for baseball or wresting. However, I don't even buy the popcorn from him. She respects my decision and it's never once been an issue between us.

I just feel bad for the boys...because of the policies of the organization, it is going to get harder and harder for them to have successful fundraisers. I believe it was last week that they took another big hit in the news when the organization kicked out a gay teen who had just completed his project for his Eagle Scout status. Again, I may be naive, I just wish these organizations would actually put the kids first.

 

[irishsharon]

 

[melancholywings]

I really don't understand the hate for kids doing fundraisers.

I feel it violates labor laws. The kids are often making below minimum wage and 100% of the funds are not going directly back to them. Someone up the chain is profiting off of their work - the popcorn maker or the greeting card company that the kids are asked to sell at school.