NEW TO TROOP NEED $ FOR SUMMER CAMP

[SCOUT JOHN]

We have some boys that don't go to summer camp do to the fact they can not pay. The parents don't want to take money, they want to work for it.Looking for ideas to raise camp fees with them.

 

THANKS JOHN

[Eamonn]

Sad to say there is no good camp fairy.

There are a lot of different fund raising opportunities out there, someone has to decide which one suits the unit best, file the paper work with the Council and get everyone behind the sale or activity.

Most Councils do offer a Campership for Lads that need a hand and some charter organizations also offer. However if the parents are unwilling to apply there is not very much that can be done.

Sorry I couldn't suggest a sure fired way.

Welcome to the forums.

Eamonn.

[anarchist]

Scout John,

Time is short for this summer but here goes:

First, Lets start positive, Many Camps, Councils and districts (and a few COs) have camperships available, the first order of business is find out what you have available.

 

Second what kind of community are you in? Urban, suburban, Rural?... and what is the general economy like in your neck of the woods? I mention this stuff not to be nosey but to be able to offer suggestions...

 

Suburban? kids can cut grass, deliver flyers, shovel snow, recycle (one kid I know talked his school into letting him put recycle cans in the lunch room and teachers lounge...he cleared ten dollars a week recycling aluminium!), dig flower beds...cultivate backyard gardens...dog sit, baby sit, watch houses and take in mail for vacationing neighbors, lots of stuff. But it is on their own.

 

Troop can set up 'yard sales' where they 'procure' a large parking lot and 'rent' parking stalls to the public for a community wide yard sale (they can then offer to haul unsold junk to the landfill for a small fee), soda-popcorn sales at community events, sell donuts (and coffee?)in front of the local stores or at the ball fields weekend morningetc.

 

In the country? paint fences and barns, clean stables, clear fence lines, feed horses when owners are on vacation, sell stuff at county fairs and town parades and festivals, find a VFW that wants to have flags put up along the towns main street for Vets Day or Memorial day or Fourth of July, car washes...use corners, gas stations, school parking lots church lots...or even go door to door...

I know another energetic young man who convinced the Pastor of the church to allow him to skip church one Sunday inorder to wash cars of church members (particularly the older members), while they were in services! He sent flyers (about his need for camp funds and his plan to wash cars) around and had the folk park in a line behind the church and during services. He washed about twenty cars...and another five or six after church...then surprised the pastor by donating 25% to the church relief fund.

 

In 'close in' suburbs boys can run errands and do small odd jobs for neighbors. Some communities encourage home owners to stencil address numbers (painted) on curb lines...little paint + few stencils = good project; service and funds!

 

last...if you are thinking of this summer where time is short...and if camperships are available, perhaps the parents would agree to accepting the grants if the boy makes and pays what he can before camp and then continue to work after camp and repays (whoever) the balance...It could just work...

 

In our troop we have a policy that all boys who want will go to camp and several of us 'find' work; gardening, weeding, raking whatever to suit the boy so he feels he earned his way to camp.

 

good luck hope to hear how it is going

[frank10]

John,

We might be able to help more if we knew more about you and your troop. Starting with location, size of troop and size of need.

 

Here in CT, a quick one day bottle drive is good for about $400. Won't help much if you have 40 scouts, but if you have only 10... well you get the idea.

 

Candy is always a good seller, but make sure you don't order more than you can sell and be sure the boys are into it before ordering.

 

Another great idea is in anoter thread here about a flag fundraiser. We are starting that one this year for our troop but it's one that starts slow and builds up as you go.

 

Please tell us more about your self and your troop and fill in your profile so we can get to know you better.

 

and oh yes... Welcome to the fire.

[SCOUT JOHN]

Thanks for all the ideas. My 1st son is crossing over into a troop this week. my 2nd next year. The troop ask me to work on fundraising to help raise money for camp. We live in a sububan/rural area in N.Y. 100 sq. miles area. The troop is only 4 years old,with 15 boys. Please tell me more about the flag program.

THANKS John

[frank10]

More info on the flag fundraiser... http://www.scouter.com/forums/viewThread.asp?threadID=48083

[EagleInKY]

There are lots of fund raising ideas, but you have to first understand your goals and how you want to obtain them. For example, do you want it to be entirely boy-run? Do you want to partner with parents/adults? Are you looking for ways that committee can raise money? All are valid, but serve different purposes.

 

Boy-run ideas -

- Selling almost anything. (Around here, Krispy Kreme donut sales are very effective).

- Popcorn (you missed the date on that)

- Car washes

- Service programs (mowing lawns, cleaning up, etc.)

 

Boy/Adult ideas -

- Yard sale event

- Christmas tree/wreath sales

- Chili supper/spaghetti supper

- Silent auction (often done at suppers)

- Food booth at community festival

 

Adult-oriented ideas -

 

Talk to CO about dontating funds for camp

 

Restaurant/business loyalty cards (For example, our parents all have loyalty cards at a local grocery store. The troop gets 4% of all purchases on the card).

 

Partner with local business for fund-raiser (this may be boy/adult as well). For example, around here there are restaurants that will sponsor you for an evening. You advertise to get as many people in that night. You then get a percentage of sales. These are normally done on "off nights" in the restaurant business. Sometimes, you have to have adults volunteer to help (bus tables, etc.).

 

 

 

Hope these get the creative juices going!