Popcorn season 2017 is in full swing!!
The more popcorn we sell, the more activity costs we can cover so you don't have to! We have a per-Scout sales target of $750 this year. We have great opportunities for the boys to sell this much, and more! Here are several ways you can help your Scout(s) with this mission:
- Neighborhood and office sales - take the Popcorn packet (with order form and brochures) around to your friends, neighbors, coworkers so they can order! We'll even have popcorn to "check out" so you can have it with you for immediate purchase.
- Show and sells at local businesses - sign up for a two hour slot (or several) on our signupgenius schedule. This is a GREAT way for boys to earn several hundred in sales in a short timeframe!
- Online - create or renew your account at http://www.trails-end.com. New this year, all online sales generate a 50% commission back to Scouting! There is a tab where you can create a social media style tab to promote the Scout's sales, targets, and goals (this year, our goal is to sleep on the USS Yorktown aircraft carrier).
Some tips:
- If your Scout has his class A (Field / dress) uniform, have him wear it when selling in person (neighborhood sales or show and sells). This really helps get people's attention! If you haven't gotten the class A uniform yet, your Scout can still sell popcorn! Just have him wear one of the Pack t-shirts.
- For neighborhood sales, have your Scout introduce himself by name and mention that he's a Cub Scout, then explain that he's selling popcorn to raise money to go camping and participate in other fun activities. (You can help him pick words he's comfortable with, but it's really helpful for him to explain why he's selling popcorn.)
- For show and sells, Scouts stand at the front entrance of the store and shouldn't obstruct people from entering or leaving. Decide whether the Scout(s) will approach people on the way into the store or on the way out (not both). Help him approach people respectfully and confidently. The greeting should be simple: "Hi! Would you like to help me raise money to go camping?" (or something similar). Regardless of the answer, remind your Scout at the end of the conversation to say, "Thank you! Have a nice day!"
- For online sales, when you set up an account for your Scout, you should receive a Scout code that you can share with people so they can easily find your Scout. When they get to the trails-end.com Web site, they click the link to "Support a Scout" at the top of the page. If they misplace this code, they can still find your Scout by doing a search after clicking "I don't have a Scout code."
- Sometimes people have questions about what types of activities we're planning, or where we're going camping. Feel free to take a printout of our activity list if you're concerned about remembering the details.
- Donations are always welcome, but can't be solicited. We typically use donated money to purchase the military support pack.
- Do you have any other tips you'd like to add? Let us know!!