FOR NEW PARENTS
Popcorn Sales and Other Fundraising Activities
The fact is that fees and dues cover only a small portion of the real cost of your child’s Scouting experience. The rest comes through charitable donations and fundraising activities.
Some fundraising is done by your district and by the Great Smoky Mountain Council — the annual golf tournament, for example, and several annual fundraising dinners. Your child’s Pack, Troop, or Crew also participates actively in raising funds to help offset the cost of activities and equipment. Fundraising not only helps your unit, it also helps teach youth about personal management and self-reliance.
Popcorn
The Fall Fundraiser in the Great Smoky Mountain Council, Scouts sell Popcorn by taking orders from family, friends, and neighbors and selling directly (“show and sell”) at pre-approved locations, like neighborhood grocery stores. Top sellers can earn exciting prizes, and exciting incentives help keep Scouts engaged.
As the parent of a Scout, chances are you’ll end up eating a lot of Popcorn over the winter as well as helping your Scout with transportation, record keeping, and setting up to show and sell.
Camp Cards
The Spring Fundraiser in the Great Smoky Mountain Council, Scouts sell Camp Cards. These are “snap apart” discount cards containing various valuable discount offers at local businesses. They are also risk-free for units, which may return unused cards to the council.
Units receive a commission on all sales, and Scouts can earn exciting prizes. Your commitment level will be similar to the popcorn sale.
Okay,
Sign Me Up!
Your child can join Scouting anytime, although units typically recruit new members near the beginning of the school year. If you’re not already aware of a unit serving your neighborhood,
visit beascout.org to
FIND A PACK >
FIND A TROOP >
FIND A CREW >
visit exploring.org to
FIND A CLUB/POST >
visit stemscouts.org to
FIND A LAB >
or give us a call at the council service center and we’ll be happy to connect you.
865-588-6514
Unit Money-earning Application
If your unit is planning a money-earning project that is not coordinated by the Great Smoky Mountain Council, you must complete an Money-earning Application at least two weeks in advance of the proposed date of the project for approval.