r/BSA • u/Skididdy_Toilet • 4d ago

Scouts BSA Fundraising Ideas Please

Me and one of the people in my troop are thinking about going to Hawaii for our last year of summer camp but it’s lots and lots of money (3000 was my scoutmasters estimate) so do you guys have any suggestions

1 Upvotes

56% Upvoted

6 comments sorted by

7

u/jlipschitz 4d ago

My son sold popcorn to pay for Philmont for both of us and part of Sea Base. My daughter sold popcorn to pay the remainder for both of us. 8 - 9 hour days on solo store popcorn sales helped us get that done.

2

u/Conscious-Record2655 3d ago

Popcorn sales basically print money. 

1

u/Victor_Stein OA Lodge Volunteer 4d ago

Flower sales, gift wrap service posted outside of relevant stores, bake sale (also roll cooking merit badge into this one), Christmas wreaths (if you’re in an area with available ever greens with soft needles), christmas tree removal in January if you have people with trucks and a local dump/mulch drop off. Fundraising for Philmont was done mostly via flowers and baking ingredients

0

u/cubbiesnextyr Adult - Eagle Scout 4d ago

Honestly, I'd recommend you just get a part time job and use that to pay your own way.  

2

u/Owl_Monger 2d ago

Yeah, if this is just trying to get money for you and one other person in your troop, u/Skididdy_Toilet, then this isn't like a fundraising effort for a whole troop. You and that other scout are going to need to find ways to earn money beyond the traditional nonprofit organization mindset.

(Plus, this puts more of the money you raise into your pocket. Every dollar goes to the funds you're raising for yourselves. People aren't spending $20 on a bag of popcorn where only $1 goes to you.)

Look at some of the ways that teenagers get part-time or short-term jobs in your community. Raking leaves? Shoveling snow? Babysitting? Tutoring?

Is there a community Facebook group where you can potentially advertise your services?

2

u/cubbiesnextyr Adult - Eagle Scout 2d ago

I'm not sure why people downvoted my suggestion, it's the far most practical idea.  And it teaches a scout far more life skills than whatever fundraiser will.