Tips for selling cub scout popcorn???

[sbaldasare]

Our Scouts have parked cars for the County Fair and picked up trash at raceways. 100% of that money goes directly into accounts for the boys that volunteered to work. They can use these funds for camp, camp supplies (i.e. new sleeping bag) or to cover yearly dues.

We have found these ventures to be very successful and well attended by the boys. They are just plain tired of pushing a product at an inflated price and only getting to keep the percentage that council gives. (30%)

 

[bellebud]

Our Scouts have parked cars for the County Fair and picked up trash at raceways. 100% of that money goes directly into accounts for the boys that volunteered to work. They can use these funds for camp, camp supplies (i.e. new sleeping bag) or to cover yearly dues.

We have found these ventures to be very successful and well attended by the boys. They are just plain tired of pushing a product at an inflated price and only getting to keep the percentage that council gives. (30%)

very impressive!!

If I saw them doing that, and there was a sign for what they were doing and a donation bucket, I'd put money in there just to help them out, rather than buy something overpriced. Hard work gets my money, especially when it's not directly asked for, every time.

 

[crisi]

very impressive!!

If I saw them doing that, and there was a sign for what they were doing and a donation bucket, I'd put money in there just to help them out, rather than buy something overpriced. Hard work gets my money, especially when it's not directly asked for, every time.

That's me as well.

I need to support the cause - getting disadvantaged kids to camp, that I'll get behind. Getting middle class kids to camp - nope.

or

I need to want what is being sold at the price point. Expensive wrapping paper I have no use for, no matter how good the cause. If I need my car washed, I might have the cheerleaders do it. Girl Scout cookies sell because people want them at the price point.

or

I need to support the cause. In which case, I'd rather give money in exchange for effort (rake my lawn), or just an outright donation, than expensive wrapping paper.

or

I need to appreciate the effort. Raking lawns is something that is hard work and needs to be done. Door to door magazine sales, not so much.

or

I have an obligation. I dislike Boy Scout popcorn, but my sister buys Girl Scout Cookies from my daughter, and I buy popcorn from her boys.

 

[Sadie22]

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

What you are charged for those events is not the entire cost to maintain the camp, pay non-volunteer staff, provide the programs, materials, and food. The total cost is partially paid for with endowments, donations, and fundraisers like the Trail's End popcorn campaign.

 

[DawnM]

I am well aware of how the scouts get their money and how that compares to what we personally are charged. My husband is part of the committee for huge fundraisers in this area that bring in hundreds of thousands of dollars per year.

But the poster said SHE personally pays for $300 per boy for a weekend camp. That is what I was surprised by.

Dawn

What you are charged for those events is not the entire cost to maintain the camp, pay non-volunteer staff, provide the programs, materials, and food. The total cost is partially paid for with endowments, donations, and fundraisers like the Trail's End popcorn campaign.

 

[buzz5985]

Several of our local business no longer allow the boy scouts (or any other organization that discriminates) to set up and sell anything outside their stores for this reason. The grocery store where my kids work is one of them, and its one of the busiest ones in the city. My daughter, who is an Assistant Manager, said the store just got way too many complaints and threats to shop elsewhere so they no longer will let the boy scouts set up there. Our neighbors were very disappointed because they made a lot of money there in previous years and this year they're having a hard time finding places to set up.

We always wrote and received permission from the Town Board of Selectman. The businesses had no say in the matter - each team had a copy of the letter from the Selectman stating we had permission to sell.

to all the bolded posts!!

For the other posts I quoted... am I missing something?? I honestly cannot believe people are ok w/ asking others (friends, family, neighbors, co-workers, strangers) to buy OVERPRICED (as admitted by the parents) popcorn so their boys activity that they chose to do is funded. What about karate??? What about gymnastics??? What about dance classes??? These activities can be just as worthwhile to a young person. I don't ask my neighbors to help me pay for my kids dance classes.

I've read all the pages, hoping to come across a post that says "our troop used the money our boys earned by selling overpriced popcorn to buy and distribute items to dying kids in our local children's hospital (insert humane society, veterans hospital, senior citizen home, etc). Yes, I see that they send some to the troops, when someone they're soliciting donates the money for that. So the scouts themselves are not paying for the popcorn for the troops, they're simply asking others to pay for it.

All I've read is "my kid got an iPad". Wow... seriously??? How about the private pool party?? The overnight at a museum... I could go on and on.

And camping trips, and badges, and other things the parents of the child should be paying for. I'd rather see the scouts take that camping money and send underpriviledged kids to summer camps, not themselves. And if they themselves fall into that category, they can apply to go to that camp too, that they helped to support.

If the scouts want to earn money to buy themselves goodies, let them rake lawns to earn money. Do the pancake breakfasts, dinners, whatever. Let people come to you.

I'm SOOOO against fundraising this way. It's teaching kids to be little beggars for their own benefit, not to support a worthwhile cause. Yuck!

Are you talking about my DS winning an iPod?? The committe decided to set aside $100 from our Show and Sell to buy prizes for the top sellers. I bought the iPod on Apples refurbished website. The Electric Scooter was a prize from the Council. The other prizes were from Trails End for meeting certain sales levels that I passed on to the high sellers using the numbers from the Show and Sell sales. Each scout received a prize provided by Trails depending on their sales.

As for the money that goes to the Council. The council is responsible for upkeep of all their camps in their district. Keeping all the paperwork straight for advancement. Offering training for the adult leaders. All the insurance needs of the troops. How much do you think it would cost a Scout Troop to insure their members going on a 7 day high adventure, 50 mile canoe trip??

The money we earned allowed us to fund the felt needed when we made 300 blankets for Project Linus. It also funded the materials needed for the little trinkets the boys made for the residents of our local nursing homes, which they delivered themselves. It also covered the donation to the charity that the Boys decided they wanted to give to that year.

I'm curious, I'm on our Boy Scout committee (I did end up allowing my DS to participate this year) and I'm wondering what kind of fundraising people who oppose selling door to door would approve of. I mean, what would you support with your money if you wanted to support the BSA? Would you be more willing to support them if they provided a service such as a carwash? I'm not being facetious, I really want to know, I think it would be useful information.

This month our troop is selling water bottles at a booth at the state fair, they make a lot of money doing this and to me this is an awesome fundraiser. The water bottle prices are in line with what other vendors are priced at and something people need. We have also sold tickets for a pancake breakfast at Applebees which seemed to go over well, but that did involve selling door to door.

My son is a Boy Scout now and they sell wreaths the weekend after Thanksgiving at all the churches in town. That is the only fundraiser that they have.

Wow. Can't believe all the attitudes on here against Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts!

My son sold over $1,000 worth of popcorn last year -- at show and sells, door to door, and with help from his father at work. It was a huge step for a child with a severe language disability to learn to approach strangers and speak. He was so proud and gained so much confidence. He was just beaming.

We'll do less this year, probably about half that, but still consider it worthwhile endeavor.

I get such a kick out of watching some of the other Scouts when we were selling in front of stores. Some are just born salespeople!

The popcorn sales also help support the councils, which run and maintain the Boy Scout camps and so many other Boy Scout activities. It wouldn't be feasible to just write a check for your Scout. You'd easily be talking over a thousand dollars to support your local Pack or Troop and the Councils that make Boy Scouts/Cub Scouts possible.

Congratulations to your son!!! That is a huge accomplishment. People that have never been to a scout event or seen how a troop works, have no idea how everyone is accepted for who they are and are never judged. My DH was on one of the adult leaders during a week at Summer Camp. He came home telling me how proud he was of the older scouts, helping out the younger scouts that were having a tough time being away from home for a week. People don't realize it is the scouts that run the troop.

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.

The show and sells are advertised. Most people, I find in my town anyway, are very supportive of the scouts - because they see them out at their churches, voluteering at the food pantry. Many, my son included, coach sports teams for the young kids in town when the parents don't step up. The schools and town are constantly in need of "help" that the older boys use for their Eagle projects. One example is the town needed a solution for retiring flags. One of the boys project was to build wooden boxes and placed them at the fire stations, town hall, police station and it was advertised in the paper that people could bring their flags to those boxes and the Eagle would retire the flags. He collected close to 1000 flags. Each flag needs to be folded before it is burned. That boy died in a ski accident 2 weeks before Christmas. The scouts - aged 12 and up, stood vigil at his casket. The troop continues to retire flags as a memorial to the boy and his family each flag day.

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.

Your not wrong - you are right on the button!!

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.

Your talking about Cub Scouts. Cub scouts have a higher ratio for scout/adults. I think it was 50/50 for my Pack also, but that was because a lot of den meetings were right after school and it was mostly Mom's that were around. Dad's were at work.

The only Mom's you see at Boy Scouts are the committee members - Very few Mom's going on Boy Scout trips. But with Scouts you only need 2 adults to every 10 kids.

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.

I agree the Arts are important. I think 90% of our Scouts are also in band/jazz ensembles. You see the Scouts working at your local food pantries, volunteering at your Nursing Homes, coaching the little league, working with the local veterans groups, working at your community breakfasts, your churches. They are cleaning your local forests, rebuilding hiking paths, ect. Scouts can not move forward in rank without community service hours. Scouts don't advertise their good deeds, it's part of their character.

 

[crisi]

We always wrote and received permission from the Town Board of Selectman. The businesses had no say in the matter - each team had a copy of the letter from the Selectman stating we had permission to sell.

The city has no rights to grant right to use to private property. If the business is on public property, they can, but then they have to be very careful that they don't grant indiscriminately.

 

[crashbb]

The city has no rights to grant right to use to private property. If the business is on public property, they can, but then they have to be very careful that they don't grant indiscriminately.

I was confused by that too. If my business is on private property (and most here are), I don't care that you have a piece of paper from the Selectman, I'm the one who decides if I want you selling there or not. I cannot imagine living in an area where this wouldn't be the case.

 

[North of Mouse]

Wow. Can't believe all the attitudes on here against Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts!

My son sold over $1,000 worth of popcorn last year -- at show and sells, door to door, and with help from his father at work. It was a huge step for a child with a severe language disability to learn to approach strangers and speak. He was so proud and gained so much confidence. He was just beaming.

We'll do less this year, probably about half that, but still consider it worthwhile endeavor.

I get such a kick out of watching some of the other Scouts when we were selling in front of stores. Some are just born salespeople!

The popcorn sales also help support the councils, which run and maintain the Boy Scout camps and so many other Boy Scout activities. It wouldn't be feasible to just write a check for your Scout. You'd easily be talking over a thousand dollars to support your local Pack or Troop and the Councils that make Boy Scouts/Cub Scouts possible.

It has nothing to do with a specific group/person. I will not buy anything from someone soliciting me at my door, or when I enter a store.

You may think it is so cute to watch the little "budding salesmen" approach people when they are just trying to enter a store, but everyone doesn't feel the same way. It really irritates me to be pounced on by 2-3 little kids selling things at the grocery store or whatever. I feel so bad saying "no, thank you", and it makes me upset at the parents that put their children in that position.

If you want your child to go on/to an event, just pay their way, (or have them do worthwhile "work" to earn it) and don't expect others to enjoy being exploited by seeing sweet little faces basically begging you to buy useless stuff.

I feel so bad for the children (but, hey, maybe that's the point, making adults feel bad saying no, so they buy it anyway . Doesn't work with me though, also didn't let our children beg for sympathy either.

 

[jodifla]

It has nothing to do with a specific group/person. I will not buy anything from someone soliciting me at my door, or when I enter a store.

You may think it is so cute to watch the little "budding salesmen" approach people when they are just trying to enter a store, but everyone doesn't feel the same way. It really irritates me to be pounced on by 2-3 little kids selling things at the grocery store or whatever. I feel so bad saying "no, thank you", and it makes me upset at the parents that put their children in that position.

If you want your child to go on/to an event, just pay their way, (or have them do worthwhile "work" to earn it) and don't expect others to enjoy being exploited by seeing sweet little faces basically begging you to buy useless stuff.

I feel so bad for the children (but, hey, maybe that's the point, making adults feel bad saying no, so they buy it anyway . Doesn't work with me though, also didn't let our children beg for sympathy either.

Again, so, so shortsighted.

You don't want to be inconvenienced, or "feel bad," so no one should ever sell anything ever?

Plenty of people are happy to buy.

 

[Magical Mama]

This is my son's first year as a Cub Scout. It was a requirement that we take a two hour shift to stand outside a grocery store and ask patrons if they'd "like to support our scouts". Not my choice, and I explained to DS before we went that not everyone wants popcorn, not everyone has the money, etc. So he stood to the side and asked every adult that walked by him. Some gave donations, few bought popcorn, most said no and some just ignored him. And he told every single one of them "thank you and have a nice day". Even those who ignored a six year old boy who was required to spend two hours of his weekend "begging" as some have put it. Now some of you may not understand the importance of this. To me, it has nothing to do with the popcorn or the money. My son spoke to adults that day before they talked to him. My shy son won't even answer someone who asks him a question that he doesn't know because he is embaressed of a speech delay, he is in speech therapy four days a week at school. My DS doesn't participate in classroom activities from fear that someone may not understand what he says and will make fun of him. But that day, in that uniform, he had enough confidence and pride in himself to ask people to "support our scouts". And it didn't bother him if you said no or ignored him. He was proud of himself for what he had accomplished and so was I. So keep in mind, that sometimes, it's not always about the money to these scouts and their parents, maybe it's about something so much more than you will ever know.

 

[A_Princess'_Daddy]

Congratulations to your son!!! That is a huge accomplishment. People that have never been to a scout event or seen how a troop works, have no idea how everyone is accepted for who they are and are never judged. My DH was on one of the adult leaders during a week at Summer Camp. He came home telling me how proud he was of the older scouts, helping out the younger scouts that were having a tough time being away from home for a week. People don't realize it is the scouts that run the troop.

You're kidding, right? I can think of at least two groups who are not accepted by the scouts, and they feel very judged.

 

[crashbb]

You're kidding, right? I can think of at least two groups who are not accepted by the scouts, and they feel very judged.

Well, to be fair the PP talked about being AT scout events. Since the groups to home your refer would not be allowed to be at the events (at least, not if they admitted that they were part of the groups), I'm sure that no one actually at the events feels judged.

The PP is just conveniently ignoring those who are not allowed, as per Scouts headquarters to participate at all (unless they successfully lie about themselves).

 

[A_Princess'_Daddy]

Well, to be fair the PP talked about being AT scout events. Since the groups to home your refer would not be allowed to be at the events (at least, not if they admitted that they were part of the groups), I'm sure that no one actually at the events feels judged.

The PP is just conveniently ignoring those who are not allowed, as per Scouts headquarters to participate at all (unless they successfully lie about themselves).

But she also says "...or seen how a troop works...", and lots of people have seen a troop work to exclude those with whom they disagree.

 

[awoogala]

Wow. Can't believe all the attitudes on here against Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts!

My son sold over $1,000 worth of popcorn last year -- at show and sells, door to door, and with help from his father at work. It was a huge step for a child with a severe language disability to learn to approach strangers and speak. He was so proud and gained so much confidence. He was just beaming.

We'll do less this year, probably about half that, but still consider it worthwhile endeavor.

I get such a kick out of watching some of the other Scouts when we were selling in front of stores. Some are just born salespeople!

The popcorn sales also help support the councils, which run and maintain the Boy Scout camps and so many other Boy Scout activities. It wouldn't be feasible to just write a check for your Scout. You'd easily be talking over a thousand dollars to support your local Pack or Troop and the Councils that make Boy Scouts/Cub Scouts possible.

I don't have any problem supporting girl scouts, just the boy scouts. I don't give any money to discriminatory groups if I can help it. (and of course, I try to research any charity, same reason I don't give money to many charities. ).

I don't have a problem with them raising money for trips, as long as I want something they are selling. (yum, cookies!), and they are up front about what they are raising the money for. I have a much bigger problem with the irritating new behavior of kids begging for change at stoplights for cheerleading. Have a carwash, sell something, show some work.

 

[nchulka]

I don't have any problem supporting girl scouts, just the boy scouts. I don't give any money to discriminatory groups if I can help it. (and of course, I try to research any charity, same reason I don't give money to many charities. ).

And I would be the opposite, I highly support the Boy Scouts and love the organization. I do not want to support Girl Scouts who give to money to organizations that I strongly disagree with. However my DD is a girl scout, I'm going to deny her the fun of scouting for issues she knows nothing about.

I do live in a very conservative area and this year DS's popcorn sales were WAY up

 

[buzz5985]

You're kidding, right? I can think of at least two groups who are not accepted by the scouts, and they feel very judged.

I believe I was answering someone that was proud of their son since he struggles with his speech. And you step in with some agenda that has nothing to do with that. If you feel so strongly - go make a sign and stand in front of the BSA headquarters - that would be more effective than posting here.

And Once again, we are members of Boston Minuteman Council that has a non descrimation clause in it's charter that does not follow national policy.

 

[buzz5985]

The city has no rights to grant right to use to private property. If the business is on public property, they can, but then they have to be very careful that they don't grant indiscriminately.

Of course they do. The town owns and maintains the sidewalks, the business does not. As a courtesy we informed the managers of the banks/stores at least 2 weeks before hand.

 

[A_Princess'_Daddy]

I believe I was answering someone that was proud of their son since he struggles with his speech. And you step in with some agenda that has nothing to do with that. If you feel so strongly - go make a sign and stand in front of the BSA headquarters - that would be more effective than posting here.

And Once again, we are members of Boston Minuteman Council that has a non descrimation clause in it's charter that does not follow national policy.

I'm sorry, and I mean that sincerely, but I didn't get that from your post (and rereading the post to which you were replying, I'm still not seeing it). I take you at your word, however, and in that regard I'm sure you're correct. As the father of a special needs child, that is nice to know, although given the BSA's current policies, I would not have him join an organization that I see as discriminatory (FWIW, I'm a straight white male).

For the record, I have registered my feelings with both the local and national headquarters, but it's also clear that they do not care. I do not express my feelings to the boys who I see out selling, because I honestly would see that as bullying a child, so I merely say "no thank you". I might, if I knew any older scouts, engage them in an intellectual discussion to honestly try to understand their position and opinion if the appropriate opportunity presented itself, but it has not done so yet, and since I don't know any boy scouts, I'm unlikely to have that opportunity.

How is your council able to deviate from the national policy? That gives me hope for the future, as the Boy Scouts are currently standing on the wrong side of history, and for an organization that can do so much good for some boys, that is very unfortunate to witness.

 

[HLAuburn]

I know this is an old thread, but I figured this would be the place to ask...

when is/was BS popcorn delivered this year?! I ordered some a few months ago and I thought it would have been delivered by now. It was soooo good last time we ordered - we've been looking forward to getting it, but I'm beginning to think we aren't gonna get it this year.

Thanks!