Popcorn

Every Scout should learn the value of hard work and earning their own way. The council is excited to announce a partnership with Trail's End as our vendor for the 2023 popcorn sale. The popcorn sale is the perfect opportunity to teach this valuable life lesson and fund the most exciting year of Scouting ever. The council does all the pre-work to set up the sale, eliminating the need for units to research opportunities, calculating returns, creating sales and promotional materials, managing a relationship with a vendor, etc. The popcorn sale is not just about selling popcorn...It’s also about promoting Scouting!

Hundreds of thousands of dollars go back to the Scouting program in the Sam Houston Area Council due to the annual popcorn sale. 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.  

Why Sell?   

• Increase your unit and council income – stays in the local area.
• Meet annual fundraising goals faster than ever before
• Scouts pay for their way for various programs (e.g., summer camp, dues uniforms).
• Scouts learn life lessons by earning their own way.  
 Loads of incentives motivate Scouts to sell.                            
• Videos and resources help Scouts learn how to be successful.       

Sign Up Your Unit to Sell Popcorn                   

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 (and wagon sales). All sales count towards prizes.                                                                                                  

1. Take-Order Sales 

Scouts go door-to-door with the take-order form. Sales begin after the unit kick-off (TBD). Customers can write their orders on the form. Scouts should collect the money when the popcorn is ordered (checks are to be made out to the unit).  Popcorn will be picked up by the unit representative date to be determined.

Take Order Form

2. Online Sales - Spring and Fall Popcorn Sales

Selling online is the best way to sell to friends and family who live far away. 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, contact-free!  The advantage of online sales is that Scouts don't have to collect money or deliver products. 

Scouts who had a previous online account with Trail's End can use their existing login. Scouts who are new to selling may register for an online account.

Register for a Scout Account 

3. Show-n-Sell and Wagon Sales

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. Unlike in previous years, there is no minimum order amount to place your Show-n-Sell order. Show-n-sell and add-ons must be ordered as whole cases. Orders are non-refundable.

Wagon sales is another great way of selling for Scouts. It's a combination of the show-n-sell and take-order methods. The Scout takes actual products door to door in their neighborhoods to sell and is like a show-n-sell table on wheels.  There is little risk as any unsold popcorn is rolled into traditional, take-order sales.  

Show-n-sell popcorn is picked up by the unit representative on August 12, 2023. For pick-up times, contact the district popcorn kernelWeekly replenishment orders are available with no minimum requirements.  

Order Show-n-Sell (opens in July)                                         

Product Lineup - Coming Soon!

 

 

  • Show-n-sell and add-ons must be ordered as whole cases. Take orders sales can be ordered in any quantity.
  • Orders are non-refundable.

 
Scout Prizes - Coming Soon!

Scouts are motivated by prizes and the ability to work towards a goal.

The prize levels are based on the actual amount sold per Scout. Parents/guardians should help the Scouts select prizes that they would like to earn.  

Every Scout should be recognized for selling popcorn. Families or units should not combine sales. 
 


 

Cyber Weekend Promotions

More information coming soon!

Scout and Parent Tools

Script and Tips

Goals

  • Scout Sales Planning Worksheet 

Resources

Printable Materials 

Parent Handout

  • Parent Handout Form 
  • Online Selling Information 

Leader Tools

Guidebooks

Fundraising Budget Guides

Unit Kickoff and Leader Training

Tips and Scripts

  • Online Sales - How to Hit Your Goal 
  • Show and Sell Success Tips 
  • Sales Scripts and Tip Cards (one per page) 
  • Storefront Popcorn Selling Request Letter 
  • Popcorn Sales Code Of Conduct
  • Popcorn FAQ 

Resources

Important Dates

January 1 - December 31, 2023 Online popcorn sales period
Thursday, May 18, 2023 District kernel team training
Thursday, May 18, 2023 50% unit commitment
Wednesday, May 31, 2023 75% unit commitment
Saturday, July 1, 2023 100% unit commitment
Tuesday, July 11, 2023 Popcorn kick off 1
Tuesday, July 18, 2023

Popcorn kick off 2 - Bellaire United Methodist (4417 Bellaire Blvd, Bellaire, TX 77401)

Thursday, July 20, 2023 Popcorn kick off 3 - Magnolia Event Center (11659 FM 1488 Magnolia, TX 77354) 
Sunday, July 23, 2023 Popcorn kick off 4 (virtual) Register Here! 
Thursday, July 27, 2023 First Show and Sell order due
Saturday, August 12, 2023* Show and Sell popcorn pick-up weekly Show and Sell Replenishments - Orders due by 11:59pm for Friday Pickup
Saturday, August 19, 2023* In depth Trail's End system training (optional)
Wednesday, October 25, 2023 Unit final popcorn orders due
TBD Final Popcorn pick-up

 

Popcorn Distribution (take-order pick up)

 

Every unit should send one or more representatives to pick up the popcorn order for the entire unit. Units need to bring full payment (unit check or money order) and a list of the top three sellers and the amounts sold. Remember to bring a large enough vehicle to hold all the popcorn (loading tips).

Contacts

 

District
(click for website)

District Popcorn Contact 
(right-click for email address)

Apollo  
Kendra Quincy
346-228-4750
Arrowhead

Amanda Dailing
832-428-0540

Arrowmoon Athena Cherry
979-739-1546
Big Cypress  Amy Mollenhauer
832-451-7337
Coastal Plains   
David Crockett  Vanessa Bartley
303-870-3948
Flaming Arrow Holiday Williams
936-524-8013
George Strake   Therese Wind
832-606-2137
Iron Horse  Tomeka Scheuerman
620-770-9057
Lone Star Gloria Gonzalez
832-978-9059
Mustang  
Orion Matt Gerdin
832-655-3415
Phoenix Kornel Rost
713-775-2070
Raven   
Red Wolf Rachel Sharp
832-730-8484
San Jacinto Karrie Hurd
732-691-8227
Texas Skies Carol Schmidt
713-775-2209
Thunder Wolf Scott Kirby
832-654-6064
Twin Bayou Clayton Finney
214-906-9068

 

Council Contacts

For more information, contact your district popcorn kernel or district executive.

Mary Welch
Popcorn Staff Advisor
 (713) 756-3374
 popcorn@shac.org

Jeanne Gebo
Administrative Assistant 
 (713) 756-3311
 jeanne.gebo@scouting.org

 

Helpful Loading Tips

* 25 cases or less will fit into most standard 4 door sedans                 * Most truck boxes will hold between 25 - 50 cases
* Up to 40 cases will fit into most SUV's (e.g., Explorer, Blazer) * A topper or a tarp is strongly suggested for truck boxes
* Up to 60 cases will fit into most minivans with no seats * For orders larger than 75 cases, enclosed trailers are best
* Up to 75 cases will fit into a Suburban with no seats * Product Weight and Dimensions