Popcorn Coordinator: Sale Timeline

Overview

The annual popcorn sale runs from September through November. Specific deadlines are set by your council each year — check with the council or at trcscouting.org for current dates.

Typical Annual Timeline

Phase	Typical Timing	Task
Pre-kickoff	August	Register as unit Kernel with your council; access Trail’s End / Pecatonica ordering system
Kickoff	September	Attend council kickoff; pick up sales materials; understand prize program and unit split
Pack kickoff	September pack meeting	Distribute materials to Scouts; explain prizes, goals, and how to sell
Take-order sales	September–October	Scouts sell to neighbors, family, friends via take-order forms
Show and Sells	September–October	Scouts sell in front of local stores (shifts scheduled by Kernel)
Order submission	October (council deadline)	Collect Scout order forms; enter into ordering system; submit by deadline
Payment deadline	October	Collect money from Scouts; turn over to Treasurer
Popcorn pickup	November	Kernel (or designee) picks up pack’s popcorn from district; sorts by Scout
Distribution	November	Distribute to Scouts at a pack meeting or designated pickup
Council payment	November	Treasurer writes check to council; Kernel submits by deadline
Scout accounts	November–December	Treasurer credits Scout accounts based on sales; Kernel provides per-Scout sales data
Year-end wrap	November–December	Kernel attends council year-end wrap meeting

All specific dates are set by your council each year. Check trcscouting.org or contact Holly Rogers for current deadlines.

Key Numbers to Track

Total unit sales goal (set with Committee Chair and Treasurer at the start of the year)
Per-Scout sales goal (the target each Scout should hit to earn their Scout account credit)
“Donations in lieu” threshold — Scouts who don’t meet their goal may owe additional dues (Treasurer invoices for this in December)

Communication to Families

At the September pack kickoff presentation:

Explain the sale: take-order, online sales, and Show and Sells
Share the unit’s goal and why it matters (it funds the pack’s program)
Show the prize chart
Set the Scout goal level and explain the Scout account credit system
Provide order forms and deadline

Send a follow-up email to all families reinforcing the above.