Hundreds of thousands of dollars go back to the Scouting program in the Sam Houston Area Council as a result of the annual popcorn sale. 73% of all dollars collected during the sale support local Scouting. The popcorn sale is a way for a Scout to support his or her way through the various activities during the year. There are three options to sell popcorn: traditional take order sales, sell online to friends and family out of town and show-n-sell. For more information, contact your district popcorn kernel or district executive.
Sign-up for Take Order and Online Sales Sign-up for Show-n-Sale opens in July
Why Sell?
• Increase your unit and council income – 73% stays in the local area.
• Scouts pay for their way for various Scouting programs and activities.
• Scouts learn life lessons by earning their own way.
• There are loads of incentives to motivate Scouts: cool prizes, $600 club, and other great experiences
• Ordering has never been easier than with the Trail's End app.
• Videos and resources help Scouts learn how to be successful.
Ways to Sell Popcorn
There are three options to sell popcorn: traditional take order sales, sell online to friends and family out of town and show-and-sell. All sales count towards prizes.
1. Take Order Sales
Take order sales are the most traditional way to sell popcorn. Scouts go door-to-door with the take order form received from your leader after unit kick off on August 13 through October 31, 2019. Customers write their order on the form. Scouts should collect the money when the popcorn is ordered (checks should be made out to the unit). Orders can be taken on an order form or via the Trail's End app (credit cards are accepted). Popcorn will be picked up by the unit representative on November 16, 2019.
Sign-up for Take Order and Online Sales
2. Online Popcorn Sales
Selling online is the best way to sell to friends and family who live far away. Online sales count toward Scout rewards including the $650 club, and scholarship program. Participants can send emails to friends and family asking them to purchase products online. The email includes a link allowing them to begin shopping right away. Customers can pay with a credit card, and the products are shipped directly to the customer. The advantages of online sales are that the Scout doesn't have to collect money or deliver products. Online sales run from August 1 to December 31st.
3. Show-n-Sell
Show-n-sell is similar to take order sales, except Scouts have the popcorn in hand to sell to customers. All units are eligible to participate if they agree to the terms stated in the commitment order form. Packs, troops and crews can request permission to sell in front of a retail store or chartered organization. Show-n-sell should not replace traditional take order sales. There are four bundle options that can net units between $900 and $4,500. Order and sell multiple bundles to increase unit profits! There is little risk as any unsold popcorn is rolled into traditional sales.
Show-n-sell popcorn is picked up by the unit representative on August 17, 2019. For pick up times and location, contact the district popcorn kernel.
Sign-up for Show-n-Sale opens in July
Popcorn Blitz Day
Blitz Day is a designated day where units are encouraged to sell popcorn during take-order as a group by canvassing areas in their neighborhood. Scouts that meet the items sold count indicated by each date will qualify for entry into the drawing for one of three GoPro Hero3+ Silver Edition.
September 28, 2019 – Sell a total of 40 total traditional items and then enter the drawing (link opens in September).- October 12, 2019 – Sell a total of 40 total traditional items and then enter the drawing (link opens in September).
- October 26, 2019 – Sell a total of 60 total traditional items and then enter the drawing (link opens in September).
The winner will be drawn and announced on Facebook the following week.
Note: Scouts are not required to participate in Blitz Day to enter the drawing. If the required number of items are sold and met by the deadline, a Scout may submit an entry for the drawing.
2018 Products
| Chocolate Lover's Collection (tin) |
| Cheese Lovers' Collection (tin) |
| Salted Caramel Popcorn (tin) |
| Chocolatey Caramel Crunch (tin) |
| Premium Caramel Corn (tin) |
| Kettle Corn (microwave) |
| Unbelievable Butter (microwave) |
| White Cheddar Cheese Tin (tin) |
| Jalapeno Cheddar Cheese |
| Classic Caramel Corn |
Military Donation
The military donation allows customers to support the military and Scouting at the same time. Customers can choose to donate $50 or $30 worth of popcorn to men and women in the military, their families and veterans' organizations. There are no shipping and handling charges associated with military donations. Over 2,000 tons of popcorn treats have been shipped to hundreds of locations around the world! Military donations count toward Scout rewards.
Since customers who purchase a military donation don't receive the product in exchange for payment, the purchase should be 100% tax deductible. As always, recommend that the customer check the tax laws with their tax professional, as tax laws often change.
Scout Prizes
Did you know that units that utilize the council prize program sell an average of 6% more than units that go with the cash option? Youth are motivated by prizes and the ability to work towards a goal. The prize selection is sure to have something for every youth in your unit.
Prizes must be ordered by November 1, 2019.
2018 Prizes
Trail's End Scholarship Program
Scouts who sell at least $2,500 (online, face-to-face, or combination) in any calendar year will have 6% of their Qualified Product Sales count towards their own Trail's End Scholarship.* Once enrolled, 6% of their sales each year will go towards the scholarship*. Reporting of sales is not automatic, and forms must be submitted to Trail's End each year following the guidelines at www.trails-end.com/scholarship. Scouts only have to hit the $2,500 minimum one time, and don't forget online sales count!
Learn More
Top Sellers Recognitions
The council's top three sellers will be recognized
| Sales Level |
Reward |
| $1,000 |
Prize TBD |
| $1,500 |
$50 Amazon eGift card + Movie + Soccer Game |
| $2,500 |
$150 Amazon eGift card + Movie + Soccer Game |
| $3,500 |
$250 Amazon eGift card + Movie + Soccer Game |
| $5,500 |
$400 Amazon eGift card + Movie + Soccer Game |
| $10,000 |
$1,000 Amazon eGift card + Movie + Soccer Game |
| $15,000 |
$1,500 Amazon eGift card + Movie + Soccer Game |
| $20,000 |
$2,000 Amazon eGift card + Movie + Soccer Game |
Prize TBD: Two tickets for the Scout and a parent/guardian) to the TBD, plus two drinks and popcorn
Prize TBD: Two tickets to the TBD (3 games to choose from) for the Scout and a parent/guardian. Tickets are provided electronically. Families can buy additional tickets to the same game.
Resources
Leader Tools
Guidebooks
Trail's End App
Trail's End Instructions
Ideal Year of Scouting
Unit Kickoff and Leader Training
Parent Handout
Goal Trackers
Tips and Scripts
Posters
Videos
Scout and Parent Tools
Guides
Order Form and Prizes
Trail's End App and Ordering
Script and Tips
Trail's End Scholarships
Goals
Business Cards
Online
Door Hanger
Military Receipt Cards
Thank You Card
Social Media Poster
Videos
Important Dates
| August 1 - December 31, 2019 |
Online popcorn sales period |
| August 1, 2019 |
Show-n-sell orders due |
| August 13, 2019 |
Popcorn kickoff for unit popcorn kernel |
| After unit kick off through October 31, 2019 |
Traditional take-order popcorn sales period |
| August 17, 2019 |
Show-n-sell distribution (location) |
| August 17 - October 1, 2019 |
Show-n-sell sales period |
| September 28, 2019 |
Popcorn Blitz Day (goal: sell 20 traditional sales items total) |
| October 1, 2019 |
Show-n-sell payments processed |
| October 12, 2019 |
Popcorn Blitz Day (goal: sell 40 traditional sales items total) |
| October 26, 2019 |
Popcorn Blitz Day (goal: sell 60 traditional sales items total) |
| November 1, 2019 by 4:00 pm |
Unit popcorn orders due online by 4:00 pm (scouting.trails-end.com) |
| November 1, 2019 |
Popcorn prize orders due online |
| November 16, 2019 |
Popcorn distribution (district distribution center location) |
| November 16, 2019 |
Unit top sellers form due to district (at the district distribution center location) |
| November 16, 2019 |
Unit payments due to district (at the district distribution center location) |
| February 14, 2019 |
Online commissions issued and mailed to the committee chair on file for the unit |
Contacts
For more information, contact your district popcorn kernel or district executive.