Popcorn

• Contact Information
• Documents
• Council-Coordinated Show & Sells:
  • Wawa Stores
  • SEPTA Locations
• Kernel Connection E-Newsletter
• Product Line-Up
• Scout Prizes & Incentives
• Unit Commissions
• Important Info for Units
• Unit-to-Unit Transfers & Product Returns
• New Trail’s End App for Scouts – Unit Training
• Trail’s End Popcorn System
• Facebook Groups
• Program Planning Resources
• Trail’s End Scholarship Program

Trail’s End Training & Resources:

• Unit Leader Training Dashboard
• Scout Training Dashboard
• Resources

From the Scouting Magazine Blog:

• Scout Popcorn Sales Tips for when You’re No Longer a Little Cub Scout
• How Four Scouts Combined to Sell a Quarter Million Dollars in Scout Popcorn
• The Value of ‘No’ When Selling Popcorn
• What Can This Boy Scout Marketing Prodigy Teach You About Popcorn Sales
• Ten Tips for Making Your Scout Popcorn Sales Really Pop

Planning and conducting a strong program is the best way to keep your Scouts active and interested in Scouting. Funding that program is equally important—otherwise great plans can’t become a reality. The annual popcorn fundraiser is a proven approach to ensure that your unit can meet its program and financial goals while teaching your Scouts the importance of earning their own way. Units have used the monies they raise to cover the cost of badges and advancement, outings, trips, and summer camp fees.

The popcorn fundraiser is administered by the Cradle of Liberty Council to help make your unit successful. Here are some benefits:

• No Up-Front Costs: Units keep their commission and pay by December.
• Turnkey Program: Training, order forms, online ordering, Scout prize program, and other resources are provided free-of-charge.
• Proven Product Quality: Trails End provides superior, high-quality products. Always remember, however, we’re really selling Scouting adventures–popcorn is the thank you gift.
• Teaches Life Lessons: Earning your own way, salesmanship, confidence, financial responsibility, and leadership to name a few. The fundraiser also provides opportunities for Scouts to earn advancements and merit badges.
• Support: The council popcorn team, made up of volunteers and staff, stand ready to assist your unit with a successful fundraiser.
• Over 73% Goes to Local Scouting: Not only does your unit raise the money it needs to fuel its program, but a portion of the sale benefits the council as a whole by helping us serve volunteer leaders and members by providing better programs and camping facilities.

Reach Your Goal Sooner with the Trail’s End App for Scouts! Learn How to Sell with the App

The Popcorn Fundraiser helps your Scouts’s Cub Scout Pack, Scouts BSA Troop or Venturing Crew earn the funds they need for a great program! Scouts who participate also learn important life skills like goal-setting, public speaking, teamwork and much more. The five best ways to sell, safety tips, selling script below will give you everything you need to sell like a pro.

Five Best Ways to Sell

Take Order

This is the most traditional way to sell; going door-to-door with the take order form, which you receive from your leader or council. Your customer chooses the product(s) he or she wishes to buy and writes the order on your form. You will collect the money when you deliver the product to your customers a few weeks later.

Advantages: Provides a personal connection with your customers. Higher dollars per customer than storefront sales.

Wagon Sales / Show and Deliver

This method is similar to Take Order, except you carry Trail’s End products with you to show to your customers as you visit them. The customer is able to select the products he or she wishes to buy from your product selection. You then hand over the product and collect the money right then and there.

Advantage: No return trip required for product delivery and money collection.

Selling Online

This is the best way to sell to your friends and family who live out of town. You can send emails to your customers asking them to purchase Trail’s End products online. Your customers click on the link in your email and can begin shopping right away. They order products online and pay with a credit card, and Trail’s End ships the products directly to your customers.

Advantages: No product delivery or money collection. Ability to sell popcorn year-round and reach your friends and family who live far away.

Selling at Work

Your mom and/or dad take an order form to their work place. Their co-workers write their order on the order form. Your mom and/or dad deliver product and collect the money a few weeks later.

Advantages: Expands your customer base, and offices often need snacks and gifts.

Show and Sell

Your den, pack, or troop gets permission to sell in front of a retail store or in the local mall. You set up a display with products for people to purchase as they walk by. Have plenty of products on display for people to buy.

Advantages: Gives you access to a large number of potential customers and promotes the Boy Scouts of America in the community.

Selling Tips

• ALWAYS wear your uniform
• ALWAYS smile and introduce yourself
• ALWAYS tell your customers why you are selling popcorn
• KNOW the different kinds of popcorn you are selling
• ALWAYS say “Thank You”
• ALWAYS make a copy of your order form
• ALWAYS have a clean order form with a pen
• BE SURE to get customer email addresses to send them a “Thank You” email after the sale, reminding them they can re-order online.

Safety Tips

• NEVER enter anyone’s home
• NEVER sell after dark unless you are with an adult
• DON’T carry large amounts of cash with you
• ALWAYS walk on the sidewalk and driveway
• ALWAYS sell with another scout or with an adult