Popcorn Program 2023

Introduction to the Popcorn Program

Fundraising for the Pack is important to scouting, not only for the exceptional programs it allows, but also the life skills it teaches your scout like goal setting, public speaking, and self-motivation. Popcorn sales are the main source of fundraising for Pack 31. This keeps costs for parents down while enabling a fantastic program for the scouts throughout the year.

The Popcorn Program is an important part of scouting. Some of the great benefits of selling popcorn include:

There are NO up-front costs to the Pack or to parents
A built-in prize program to support the Unit and individual scout goals
Participating in the Popcorn Program can complete requirements for rank advancement
Popcorn is supported by the local community

MOST IMPORTANTLY, participating in the Popcorn Program teaches scouts the value of earning their own way, setting goals, and supporting their unit program budget. This is an essential part of the character development learned through scouting!

1. Registering Your Scout to Sell!

Note: When registering, make sure you select the correct dropdowns for Pack 31!

Council: Heart of New England Council, BSA
District: Quinpoxet
Unit: Pack 31

If you need your username or email you used, please reach out, as I have access to those. If you do not have an account, I will send you an invite, if you need an invite still, please send me an email.

2. Scout and Pack Sales Goals

For the 2023 Popcorn Program, Pack 31 sales goals are listed below. These goals are set to ensure that the Pack remains financially solvent without having to raise pack dues

2023 Pack Total Sales Goal: $13,000
- Achieving this goal will net the Pack a 40% sales commission of $5200.
2023 Per Scout Sales Goal: $300 per scout
- This goal is to ensure our budget is balanced and will make sure our income and expenses are equal for the year. It should be treated as a minimum goal per Scout to ensure a quality, funded program year.

Previous Sales Achievements

2022: Pack Total Sales: over $12000!
2021 Pack Total Sales: $10,042
2020 Pack Total Sales Goal: $10,565

3. Every Bit Helps!

The Popcorn Program has evolved to include new tools and technology that makes the program easier than ever to participate in. With Online Sales, Wagon Sales, and Storefront Sales, there are more opportunities than ever to sell.

Every Scout should easily be able to participate!

Click here for scout selling tips!

4. Key Dates

Tuesday, August 29, 2023 Popcorn sale kickoff; selling begins

Monday, October 30, 2023 Final take orders due; sale ends

Wednesday, November 18, 2023 Take orders available for pickup (for distribution)

5. Three Ways to Sell!

A. Online Direct Sales

Each scout has an individualized website and trails end code assigned to them. Share this website with your families and friends. Post it far and wide. Sales made online using this site/code will be shipped directly to the customer. Trails End now has an "auto share" feature where you can set it up to share your info for you, if you would like to utilize that.

Best & Preferred Way to Sell!
Safest way for Scouts to sell (contactless!)
Scouts earn 1.25 POINTS for Rewards
All traditional products available, starting at $15 price point
No handling of products / cash for Scouts or Unit
UPDATED Trail's End App!
- Take orders directly in the Trail's End App
- Text orders to customers to complete purchase on their phone
Products are popped fresh to order and shipped direct to customer
Two Ways to Sell Online
- Share your Scout's personalized sales page via email, text, or social media. Customers click your Scout's link to place online orders. Products ship directly to customer.
- Take Online Direct Orders in the app. Products are selected, credit card payment is accepted, and products ship directly to customer.

B. Storefront Sales

These are when we go to an event or store, and set up a table with our inventory and sell to those walking by. You can sign up for 1 hour shifts (you can do multiple in a row, just try to limit yourselves to 2 hours at a time) You sign up for these on the trails end app. Any sales made at storefronts will be split evenly between every scout who sold that entire day. I have many shifts already available for sign up. We will do these until we run out of inventory. More will be added soon!

Scouts will have the opportunity to sign up for storefront sales outside of local businesses.
Excellent way for Scouts to practice public speaking skills!
Each family is encouraged (and expected) to "do their best" to "do their part" to sign up for storefront sales.

C. Wagon Sales (a.k.a "Take Order")

We do do this without inventory. All door to door sales will be tracked and entered into your trails end app. The app also allows you to accept credit cards as well as cash. Please make sure that you mark all sales as "undelivered" in the app. All "undelivered" sales will be filled with remaining inventory in our possession or a few days after November 18.

Scouts collect orders in the app and mark product as “undelivered” to be delivered at a later date. This can also be taken through neighborhoods, but is great for parent’s co-workers, friends and family. Money should be collected up front.

6. How To Sell $1,000 in 8 Hours!

Sell for 8 hours, fund your entire year of Scouting! Click the button for instructions on how to sell $1,000 worth of popcorn. You would earn an $60 Amazon Card!

How to sell $1,000 in 8 hours

7. 2022 Rewards Program

A. Pack Rewards System

Popcorn Patch-Make ONE popcorn Sale
Popcorn Medal-Reach your Sales Goal
Popcorn Trophy-DOUBLE your Sales Goal
Candy Jar- After your first sale and for every $100 sold afterwards, Scouts can reach into our Pack candy jar at the Pack meetings.
Candy Raffle- Each Square filled in on your Scout's BINGO sheet earns one raffle ticket for the reminder of the candy box at the end of the sale. A “BINGO” earns a bonus ticket, and fill in the WHOLE sheet and earn 5 bonus tickets.

B. Trail’s End Reward System:

Each sale earns you points towards different levels of Amazon gift cards; Scouts buy prizes THEY want when they earn these cards!

C. Council Level Rewards:

Scouts who sell $2000 or more will receive 2 tickets to a Worcester Railers Hockey game and pre-game pizza at nearby pizza restaurant. Details will be forth coming, Railers game is tentative for Saturday March 16, 2024.
Top 10 sellers in council will receive $100 off a Heart of New England camp fee for 2024 season.*
3rd highest Scout seller in council will receive free camp fees for 2024 Heart of New England Council Camp.
2nd highest Scout seller in council will receive free camp fees for 2024 Heart of New England Council Camp plus $150 Amazon gift card.
Top seller in the council will receive Free camp fees for 2024 Heart of New England Council Camp plus $250 Amazon gift card.

8. Product Lineup

9. Trail's End App

Download the Trail's End App onto your smartphone or tablet so your Scout can take sales and track their progress!
Free Credit Card Processing - Paid by Trail’s End and council
Real-time tracking and reporting of sales, inventory and storefront registrations
Parents turn in cash sales with credit/debit payment to their unit (i.e. you keep the cash, and submit payment through the app)
System-calculated Scout sales for easy Trail’s End Rewards ordering
Take Online Direct orders in the app as a way to fundraise while social distancing
We have Square Readers available for Scouts to use for credit card payments!
YOU MUST HAVE THE APP TO PARTICIPATE IN SALES!

Trail's End app quick start guide

Trail's End app demo video

10. Scout Web Portal

Track your Scout's progress through the Scout Portal online!

11. Cub Scout Advancement Opportunities

Cub Scouts can complete certain adventure requirements while participating in the Popcorn Program.

TIGER: Curiosity, Intrigue, and Magical Mysteries

Create a secret code to use during your popcorn sale (requirement 3)

TIGER: Stories and Shapes

Create and art piece advertising your popcorn sale (requirement 3)

WOLF: Howling at the Moon

Show you can communicate in at least two different ways (requirement 1)
Create a popcorn skit (requirement 2)

WOLF: Paws on the Path

Tell what the buddy system is and why you need to use it during your popcorn sale (requirement 2)

BEAR: Roaring Laughter

Create your own short story about popcorn fundraising (requirement 3)

WEBELOS: Art Explosion

Create a popcorn poster on a computer (requirement 3f) or a t-shirt or hat (requirement 3g) for display at your show 'n' sell

WEBELOS: Build It

Create and build a carpentry project to advertise your popcorn sale. List all the tools your used to build it. Check which tools you've used for the first time (requirement 3)

12. Storefront Sales Locations, Dates, and Times

Local business locations are planned for storefront sales for the 2022 Popcorn Program. Scouts can sign up for shifts through the Trail's End App or Scout Portal web dashboard. Please do not attempt to book time at stores directly! Shifts are reserved in increments of 1 or 2 hours.

DETAILS ON STOREFRONT SALES WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE AFTER THE KICKOFF PHASE ENDS.

13: Tips/pointers/FAQ's:

Make sure your scout is as involved as possible in selling. They should be making calls, doing their own sales pitches and making videos to share.

Ask everyone who bought from you in the past. You should be able to access this information in trails end.

If you are worried you have other scouts in your neighborhood and will accidentally double knock on doors, then reach out and I can help you figure out a neighborhood to go knocking.

Door hangers are available for you to customize and leave at houses if people don't open the doors. I have attached the template if you would like to print or order some. DO NOT FORGET to customize them with your scouts name and code if you choose to use these.

If people have dietary restrictions, they can make a military donation through the app. We CANNOT ask/solicit for donations, but if someone asks to make a straight donation, you may accept it, but it cannot be logged in the app, just keep track of it and I will add this to your scouts total.

If people balk at the price of our product just remind them that they are making a donation to scouting. 40% percent of that money they are spending comes directly back to OUR Pack.

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