Online Popcorn Sales
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 son like goal setting, public speaking, and self-motivation, Popcorn sales are the sole annual fundraiser for Pack 301. The Pack requires modest annual due to cover registration of the Scouts. The activity and camping budget comes solely from Popcorn Sales. 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
- Scouts can earn a free week at a National Capital Area Council camp of their choice!
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!
REGISTER YOUR SCOUT’s online ACCOUNT
here for web and app access!
Note: When registering, make sure you select the correct dropdowns for Pack 893!
All parents and leaders should attend the kickoff orientation meeting on Tuesday, Sept 24th at 6:00 pm. The meeting will be held virtually through Zoom.
Scout and Pack Sales Goals
For the 2020-21 Program Year, the Popcorn Program sales goals are as follows:
- Pack Total Sales Goal: $44,000
- Per Scout Sales Goal: $ 984.00
- Per Scout Sales Goal (for 4 campouts with and Adult): $2004
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!
Key Dates:
District Unit Kernel Training August/TBA
First Distribution Schedule
Thursday, Sept. 24th Red Wagon/Show & Sell Distribution for White Buffalo and Southwinds Districts
Friday, Sept. 25th Sales Begin
Sunday, Oct.. 25th Clipboard Sales/Take Orders due in Trail’s End system by midnight
2020 Program Updates
- Redesigned Trails End App and Unit Leader/Parent webpages
- Updated Trail’s End Rewards. A point-based system with larger levels and more of them.
- $750 Sales Bonus – Earn a Waterproof Day Pack
- Storefront scheduling partnership
- Product distribution process updated
- Online direct sales from the Trail’s End app
Ways to Sell!
Online Direct Sales
Online Direct sales are easier than ever for Scouts to sell to friends and family and face-to-face with the new functionality for a Scout to record an Online Direct order in the app. The product ships to the customer, and it’s the SAFEST fundraising option for Scouts. Scouts set up their Trail’s End account by downloading the Trail’s End App, and they can sell face-to-face or share their fundraising page via email, social media, and text message. Customers pay via credit/debit securely, and the products ship directly to them from Trail’s End.
· Best & Preferred Way to Sell!
· Safest way for Scouts to sell (contactless!)
· Scouts earn DOUBLE POINTS for Rewards
· All traditional products available, starting at $10 price point
· No handling of products/cash for Scouts or Unit
· NEW 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.
Storefront Sales
Involves coordinating booths in high foot traffic locations throughout your community. It is best practice to have ONE Scout and ONE parent at each shift to cover more shifts during the course of the sale.
· Scouts will have the opportunity to sign up for storefront sales outside of local businesses.
· Not mandatory, but an excellent way for Scouts to practice public speaking skills!
Wagon Sales (a.k.a “Take Order”)
Scouts collect orders in the app and deliver on hand product or 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. It is at the units discretion whether money is collected upfront or upon delivery.
Wagon Sales (a.k.a. “Show and Sell”)
Involves the Scout bringing product door-to-door to customer residences to ask for support. This method is preferred for neighborhoods close to home. A large percentage of home-owners say that no Scout has ever come to their door, missing this great opportunity. Product is carried with the Scout in a wagon or vehicle, making it a quick and easy process for the customer.
· Scouts can opt to receive upfront inventory to sell on-hand to family and friends or throughout their neighborhood.
· Inventory will be assigned and tracked by Unit Leaders
· 3 inventory orders will be placed, see Key Dates the top of this page.
5 Steps to Success!
How To Sell $1,000 While Social Distancing
Sell for 8 hours, fund your entire year of Scouting! Click the button below for instructions on how to sell $1,000 worth of popcorn, all while social distancing. You would earn an $80 Amazon Card!
how to sell $1,000
while social distancing!
2020 Rewards Program
- New for 2020 is a points based rewards system encouraging Scouts to sell more with Online Direct and with credit card payments!
- With changes to the way they sell, Scouts can earn more Rewards faster! Points are redeemable for Amazon.com gift cards.
- Scouts buy prices THEY want when they earn these cards!
Online Direct Entrepreneur Pledge
Scouts that will pledge to do their best to sell $2,500 or more through Online Direct from July 1 – August 15 will receive exclusive access to training and webinars from experts in business, marketing, and e-commerce.
The first 200 Scouts to hit the goal will receive a $200 Amazon.com Gift Card, and a plaque celebrating their accomplishment!
Click Here to make the pledge!
(Scroll down half way)
Product Availability Changes
Due to production challenges associated with COVID-19, and to ensure production meets demand, certain products will be available only through Online Direct Sales and will not be available for Wagon Sales. The product shown in the image below will be available for in-person sales (Wagon Sales). More products available with Online Direct.
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
Scout Web Portal
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Track your Scout’s progress through the Scout Portal online! |
Commission Structure for Pack Fundraising
Pack 893 receives a commission percentage of Popcorn Program sales. The commission is 28%!
American Heroes Donation Program
When a customer purchases an American Heroes Donation, a portion goes back to local Scouting and the remaining popcorn equivalent is donated to the first responders and the U.S. Military. Trail’s End has teamed up with Soldiers’ Angels to distribute the popcorn to VA Hospitals, National Guard units, and military bases across the country.
- Over $66 million worth of popcorn has been donated to U.S. troops over the years
- Last year consumers purchased over 472,500 Military Donations
- In 2019, over 2,900 pallets of popcorn was shipped to 45 locations in 22 states
Cub Scout Advancement Opportunities
Cub Scouts can complete certain rank requirements while participating in the Popcorn Program. See the table at right for rank requirements that can be satisfied.
Storefront Sales Locations, Dates, and Times
Will be updated closer to selling.
The following locations are planned for storefront sales for the 2020 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 these stores directly. Trail’s End has negotiated times at these locations and slots will be reserved through the App and Portal. Shifts are reserved in increments of 2 hours.
Note: Due to social distancing restrictions, shifts are limited to 2 hours each and only ONE scout and his/her immediate family may participate at a time. Scouts not living in the same household may not sell together during a shift.