Popcorn Selling

by Caitlín

This morning we conducted our first BSA popcorn sales at the annual fall Occoquan Arts & Crafts Show. The VFW was kind enough to let us use the spaces next to their front steps and hot dog booth to set up displays of the tins and hold signs so that we didn't have to pay for a booth ourselves.

Part of our agreement was to also help the members of the VFW staff their hot dog and drink stand, but they really didn't need much help. Adam was the only one of us who was on food duty.

At right is what we first used to draw Craft Show visitors towards the table (marked by the balloons and "Support Scouting" banner in the background) filled with every different kind of popcorn and information about our Ship. Me, Sarah, and Peter show off our first dollar--which was a donation.

After a while with almost no interest in the popcorn--even with us saying "Good morning!" to every passerby--we brought the banner down to the side of the street, too.

When that didn't catch people's attention, we tried making more signs from the flaps of the cardboard boxes that the popcorn tins came in. Peter was occupied doing that, so Sarah and I were the only ones holding the banner and greeting people.

There were also several comments muttered about, "Why are girls selling Boy Scout popcorn?"
Sarah thought they didn't notice our shirts (here's a time when true uniforms would help a lot!), and that it we should turn around so people could see the larger, more eye-catching text on the backs of our T-shirts. The Skipper said, "Turn around? What if we turn the banner around and write on that?"

So Skipper Shay wrote on the nice blank reverse side of the banner that we were specifically Sea Scouts and that it's a co-ed branch of the BSA for youth ages 14-21. It wasn't as colorful as the printed side, but it explained our purpose much better than a photo of a very young boy in a "dirt Scout" uniform. Trail's End (warning, music begins abruptly on their site) really should make a popcorn banner that includes both Venturing Scouts and Sea Scouts, pictures both boys and girls, and features older Scouts.

Our new banner caught a little more attention, and we got a lot of amazed exclam-
ations of "Sea Scouts!" as if people didn't believe we existed or something. Or probably they'd never heard of us, as Sea Scouting is the "best kept secret in Boy Scouts." There was one girl seemed very interested in our program and took a flier with contact info and more information, so hopefully we'll at least gain a new member!

But despite people noticing us, business was still so slow that Sarah, Adam, and I were counting the minutes until we could go home. Or at least until our relief came, which was supposed to be David and Daniel. David was sick and didn't really feel up to being there, and Daniel had to attend a school function and that caused him to arrive an hour late for his shift, so it was still pretty much me and Sarah running the show.

A few people did buy popcorn, and several others, including Mayor Porta, said they would buy it later online so that they didn't have to carry it around town. A couple people came up and asked about prices, but after finding out how much it cost they said they were sorry they couldn't help out.

In four hours we made a total of $75.00 (most of which was in donations), while at the car wash we made over $300 in the same amount of time. Hopefully the popcorn-sellers will do better tomorrow--maybe a fresh crew will help.

To support Sea Scout Ship 7916, www.OrderPopcorn.com and enter this code: TEYQBZ7. You can also send $25.00 worth to the men and women fighting overseas--with 70% of the proceeds still supporting our unit--by clicking "Other Treats" and then "Military Donation."