Scouts selling popcorn and coffee learn real-life skills while supporting their adventures. Through these fundraisers, your Scout learns goal setting, communication, responsibility, and money management—all while raising funds that help pay for campouts, gear, merit badge programs, and community service projects.
It’s not just a fundraiser—it’s a hands-on lesson in leadership and entrepreneurship that builds confidence and pride. Plus, every bag sold helps keep Scouting strong for everyone in the pack or troop.
Sale Methods
There are multiple sales methods that your Scouts can try in order to have a successful popcorn and coffee sale.
Show & Sell
Show & Sell is when Scouts have popcorn in hand so that they can show it and sell it to the customer on the spot. There are several types of Show and Sell that have proven successful for units.
Neighborhood Show & Deliver
One of the most effective sales methods! In this case, a unit signs out popcorn to a Scout who takes it throughout their neighborhood, selling as he goes. Product is brought along (in wagon or vehicle), making it a quick and easy process for the customer. So, it is like a mobile show & sell booth. Units should order for this as part of their show & sell order. A large percentage of homeowners say that no Scout has ever come to their door, missing this great opportunity. If the desired product is not on hand, an order can be taken and product delivered later.
Complete the Super Triangle
Have your Scouts complete the Super Triangle! The Super Triangle is the 15 neighbors that surround their home. Make a triangle from your home by selling to the first four neighbors down. Then, cross the street and sell to seven houses back toward your home, crossing back to your side of the street and stoping by four neighbors on your way back home.
Neighborhood Blitz
Blitz Day is an organized day for a group of Scouts to go out selling in a specific area together. Scouts have fun with their friends as they travel to a neighborhood. A neighborhood can be covered very quickly with several Scouts each going door to door.
Neighborhood Storefront
Promote your store in your neighborhood and hold a garage sale type of event where you can set up your store in a cul-de-sac or driveway. The Nextdoor App can be helpful with this method!
Scheduled or Storefront Sales
This type of Show & Sell is a lot like an “old school” lemonade stand. Your unit gets permission to have a booth in a high visibility area, and your Scouts sell actual popcorn and/or coffee product on the spot. A unit can plan a Show & Sell day and split Scouts/families into shifts so that everyone takes a turn. Talk with local stores to setup a time to sell!
Take Order
This method is where Scouts go to friends, family, and neighbors door-to-door to sell product using an order sheet. Parents can also help by taking the “take to work” order forms to work. Later, at the end of the sale, the Scouts deliver the ordered products to the customers who ordered them.
Tip: Use leftover inventory from your Show & Sell to fill these orders!
Online Sale
The enhanced online sale means that you can sell any item online the same as in-person. Scouts create accounts on Trails-end.com and send emails to people they know, asking for their support by buying popcorn. Scouts can even create their own customized selling page! Customers who place online orders will have the popcorn shipped directly to their homes – this is great for family and friends who aren’t local!
Popcorn Kickoff Rallies
The Popcorn Kickoff Rallies will give you free supplies to aid your sale, learn important new updates, and hear some helpful hints and tips toward making your sale even more successful. It’s a one stop shop to get everything you need for Popcorn.
Attend one of the Popcorn Rallies and earn a bonus 3% commission!
Popcorn Rally Dates
Saturday, July 12th, 2025, 10am–12pm | Scout Achievement Center
Monday, July 14th, 2025, 6:30–8:30pm | West Chester Nazarene, 45069
Wednesday, July 16th, 2025, 6–8pm | Camp Michales Eagle’s Lodge
Download the App
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Ordering Popcorn
Ordering popcorn for your sale is easy!
Initial Order (Show & Sell Order)
- Log in to your Trails End account.
- Estimate the amount of Show & Sell popcorn you would like to order. If you sold last year, log in to your account and view the amount ordered from last year as a baseline. Then, compare to last year’s final totals. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the return policies.
- Navigate to the “Unit Popcorn Login” on the left menu to login to the Trails End System, and click “Order Popcorn” at the top of your dashboard (or select “Popcorn Orders” on the left menu).
- Ensure the “Select Campaign” box reads “[This Year’s] Selling Campaign.”
- Click on the “Choose Delivery” drop down and select “Initial Order/Show & Sell Order.”
- Enter the total number of cases for each type of popcorn you wish to order. You are not able to order individual containers of product at this time, but will be available during your final Take Order. When you “tab” or click outside of the box, you will see your case count update. These totals are not updates until you click “Save.”
- Once you are done, click “Submit.” If you are not ready to submit your order, you can save a draft to come back to at a later date.
Note: A box will show your base commission amount. This number is system-generated and does not include any bonus commission you’ve earned, such as attending a popcorn rally.
Final Order (Take Order)
- Communicate a deadline to your Scout families for getting all orders to you. Inform them that their product will be delivered late if they do not get their orders turned in to you by the deadline set.
- Once the deadline arrives and you have the orders from your Scouts, compile a list of popcorn you need to order. Then, figure out how many of each you need to order as this will be useful later in the process. If you sold Show & Sell, fill these orders with any product you have left before you return or order more product.
- Log in to your Trails End account.
- Navigate to the “Unit Popcorn Login” on the left menu to login to the Trails End System, and click “Order Popcorn” at the top of your dashboard (or select “Popcorn Orders” on the left menu).
- Ensure the “Select Campaign” box reads “[This Year’s] Selling Campaign.”
- Click on the “Choose Delivery” drop down and select “Final Order/Take Order.”
- You can order singles and cases during the Final Order/Take Order. The easiest way to do this is to enter the total amount of singles you need in the “Cont.” area and “tab” over, automatically calculating how many cases and singles you need for the product. Note: “Cases” = cases of product, “Cont” = single containers of product.
- Once you are done, click “Submit.” If you are not ready to submit your order, you can save a draft to come back to at a later date.
Online Order
The online sale is a great tool for your sale, making it easy to reach potential customers and connect with distant relatives or friends who want to support your sale.
Scouts can download the Trails End App or go to the Trails End website to create an account to sell popcorn online. With their parent/guardian’s permission, Scouts can use Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok, text, and emails to sell popcorn across the country!
Replenishments
More Information coming soon!
Warehouses
Ohio Warehouse
Verst Group Logistics | 11880 Enterprise Drive, Cincinnati OH 45241
Kentucky Warehouse
Verst Group Logistics | 340 Shorland Dive, Walkton KY 41094
US Grant Warehouse
Holman Motors | 4387 Elick Lane, Batavia OH 45103
Returns & Fees
There is one return day the weekend prior to your unit’s final order for units to return full cases of popcorn that were over-ordered. We encourage units to utilize the popcorn swap days with other unit kernels to swap out product they don’t need for product they do, and to make full cases to return. Do not put stickers, tape, or anything detailing pricing on the product or it may not be accepted for return. Damaged product will not be accepted at return day.
Only a full case with the correct number of containers (bags/boxes) can be returned. A case where the cardboard box has been opened can be returned as long as the opened case has the correct amount of like product items within.
Please Note: Chocolate products may not be returned. This includes “Chocolatey Pretzels.” These items are extremely sensitive to high temperatures and must be transported and stored properly.
You will need to schedule your drop-off using the Returns Day link that will be provided at a later date.
Restocking Fee
Dan Beard Council allows you to return 10% of your Initial Order free and clear. After this allowance, there is a 10% restocking fee based on the remaining product cost returned.
Example: A unit orders $1,500 of product for their initial order. 10% of $1,500 is $150. They have a $150 allowance that they can return. If they return $200 of popcorn, there will be a 10% restocking fee on the $50 remaining after the allowance. The total restocking fee in this case would be $5 ($50 x 10%).
Remember to use leftover product from your Initial Order to fill orders from your Take Order sales before making your Final Order.
Only full cases of product will be accepted. Please remember that the Dan Beard Council is unable to return any popcorn to Trail’s End and therefore any excess that remains unsold has a direct, negative effect on all units and youth.
Transfer of Product to Another Unit
Popcorn transfers are when one unit transfers product to another unit who is willing to accept that product. Both units’ accounts are then updated to reflect this. Transfers will be by container total. (For example, 1 case of Unbelievable Butter has 6 containers).
The unit that is giving the product to another unit is responsible for initiating and submitting the Online Transfer.
How to process a transfer
- Login to your Trails End account.
- On the left menu, click “Transfers & Returns.”
- Click the “transfer” icon next to one of the orders containing the product you’d like to transfer in order to view the order.
- Click “Transfer Inventory” at the top of the screen, and use the drop downs to select the District and Unit number you are transferring the popcorn to.
- Click ok. Then, in the far right “transfer quantity” column, enter the number of cases (CS) and/or containers/individual bags (CT) that you are transferring to the other unit.
- Click “submit transfer request” in the top right to submit the request.
- Once it is approved by the receiving unit, the items will be removed from your inventory/invoice and moved to theirs, and you are ready to swap the product.
Note: You can approve any transfers you are receiving from the main “Transfers & Returns” page located in the left menu.
Account Settlement Payment
Units are expected to carefully manage their inventory and finances so they are able to pay for their product in a timely manner, and should expect their Scouts and parents to do likewise. You may settle your account with: cash, check, or credit card (fees apply).
Late fees will be assessed if received on or after the deadline provided.
2025 Popcorn & Coffee Calendar
- Saturday, July 12th – Popcorn Rally Training (SAC)
- Monday, July 14th – Popcorn Rally Training (West Chester)
- Wednesday, July 16th – Popcorn Rally Training (Kentucky)
- Wednesday, July 23rd – Trail’s End Booked Storefronts Open Up to Claim
- Monday, August 11th – Show and Sell Orders Due
- Saturday, August 23rd – Popcorn Festival
- Thursday, August 28th – Initial Popcorn Order Sorting
- Friday, August 29th – Initial Popcorn Order Distribution
- Thursday, September 4th & Friday, 5th – Warehouse Days
- Thursday, September 11th & Friday, September 12th – Warehouse Days
- Thursday, September 18th & Friday, September 19th – Warehouse Days
- Thursday, September 25th & Friday, September 26th – Warehouse Days
- Thursday, October 2nd & Friday, October 3rd – Warehouse Days
- Thursday, October 9th & Friday, October 10th – Warehouse Days
- Thursday, October 16th & Friday, October 17th – Warehouse Days
- Thursday, October 23rd & Friday, October 24th – Warehouse Days
- Thursday, October 30th & Friday, October 31st – Warehouse Days
- Saturday, November 8th – Return Day
- Monday, November 10th – Final Take Orders Due
- Thursday, November 20th – Final Popcorn Order Sorting
- Friday, November 21st – Final Popcorn Order Distribution
- Friday, December 5th – Final Payments Due
2026 Popcorn & Coffee Calendar
- Saturday, July 11th – Popcorn Rally Training (SAC)
- Monday, July 13th – Popcorn Rally Training (West Chester)
- Wednesday, July 15th – Popcorn Rally Training (Kentucky)
- Wednesday, July 22nd – Trail’s End Booked Storefronts Open Up to Claim
- Monday, August 10th – Show and Sell Orders Due
- Saturday, August 22nd – Popcorn Festival
- Thursday, August 27th – Initial Popcorn Order Sorting
- Friday, August 28th – Initial Popcorn Order Distribution
- Thursday, September 3rd & Friday, September 4th – Warehouse Days
- Thursday, September 10th & Friday, September 11th – Warehouse Days
- Thursday, September 17th & Friday, September 18th – Warehouse Days
- Thursday, September 24th & Friday, September 25th – Warehouse Days
- Thursday, October 1st & Friday, October 2nd – Warehouse Days
- Thursday, October 8th & Friday, October 9th – Warehouse Days
- Thursday, October 15th & Friday, October 16th – Warehouse Days
- Thursday, October 22nd & Friday, October 23rd – Warehouse Days
- Thursday, October 29th & Friday, October 30th – Warehouse Days
- Saturday, November 7th – Return Day
- Monday, November 9th – Final Take Orders Due
- Thursday, November 19th – Final Popcorn Order Sorting
- Friday, November 20th – Final Popcorn Order Distribution
- Friday, December 4th – Final Payments Due
Commission
- Base (Storefront & Wagon)
- 29% of Total Sales
- Bonus
- +3% if Attended Council Popcorn Rally
- Sale Thresholds (non-cumulative)
- $20,000–$29,999: +2%
- $30,000–$44,999: +3%
- +$45,000: +4%
- Online
- 32% of Total Sales
Commission for all products sold online through the Trail’s End website is 32%. The +3% Bonus requires Rally Attendance.
Rewards – Coming Soon!
Prizes: All prizes will be automatically included in the Scouts overall sales total on your unit popcorn dashboard. Online sales totals will be combined with traditional sales for prize eligibility.
More information coming soon!
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