Popcorn fundraising is more than just selling snacks—it's a way for Scouts to earn their way to incredible experiences and adventures. By participating, Scouts learn valuable skills like goal setting, communication, and teamwork, all while supporting their Scouting journey. Visit the Trail's End portal for more details and to get started on your fundraising journey.
Popcorn sales are a key fundraising activity that empowers Scouts to fund their adventures and support their units. Our Popcorn Sales FAQ provides answers to all your questions, from how to get started to maximizing your sales. Visit the Trail's End portal for more information and resources to help you succeed.
Scouting America National Registration Fee (“National Fee”)
Rainbow Council Fee (“Council Fee”)
torefront selection starts: July 20th
Initial Orders due July 24th – NO LATE ORDERS CAN BE ACCEPTED!
Sale begins/initial order pickup: August 2nd (location TBD)
Resupply: TBD
Our 2024 popcorn season starts now!
Theme will be “Passport to Adventure” with opportunities for Scouts and Units to earn exciting incentives.
“Pay Now” feature now available for both wagon sales (Parent Pay Now) and storefronts (Leader Pay Now) AND scouts will earn the same points as a credit card sale
Cash App available as well as Apple and Google Pay
Parents and Leaders access the Trails End website using new address: https://portal.trails-end.com/
The 2024 Leader training webinars are available on the Trails End leader site. There will be a Kernel’s page coming soon that will include copies of outgoing information for those not on the mailing lists or social media.
Unit fees can vary in cost and coverage. Families should confirm all unit fee details with their units.
Fund your entire year by selling POPCORN! Trail’s End has long served Scouting America with their fundraising efforts. With the addition of a Trail’s End App, they have made transactions easier and safer for Scouts. Virtual fundraising is safe and easy! See the Trail’s End Scout Parent Guide for more information
Each registration will need to be renewed and paid annually on the membership anniversary date.
Each Council starts and runs their popcorn campaign differently. You can always sell popcorn year round with the Trail’s End web portal. The Trail’s End app also has a secure payment processor included, so you don’t have to always carry cash.
There are outside program costs not shown, such as camping equipment, uniforms, class Bs, and a few more unit specific costs. While this might seem intimidating, not every expense is upfront. Your Unit and Unit Leader will have advice on how to offset the cost, with helpful tips including buying while on sale, buying second hand, or borrowing equipment from other members. Your Unit should also have fundraising methods throughout the scouting year to help with costs. See our Unit Fundraising page for more information.
Rainbow Council helps offset the costs of Scouting by partnering with Trails End to run our Annual Popcorn Fundraiser. You can find more information when popcorn season begins from the Popcorn Kernel, on the website, social media or directly from the Trails End website.
Determining your Unit’s expenses is the best way to figure out how much popcorn your unit needs to move to meet your sales goals. Once you calculate sales goals, individual scout sales goals, and receive popcorn inventory from your council, you can start selling! Trail’s End has a guide for Unit Leaders to help with the planning process. The Trail’s End app and web portal keep track of all your sales and help create easy reporting with their tools. Using the app makes for easier and safer transactions to occur during Storefront sales.
Storefront sales are a Scouts opportunity to represent their units and the program while educating potential customers about the Scouting program. Scouts should have a table or a banner of some kind announcing their intentions of selling popcorn for fundraising purposes. Trail’s End has made Storefront Scheduling easier by allocating a portal to manage Storefront sales and “work” schedules.
Contact the Rainbow Council Popcorn Kernels to see how to get started with fundraising and popcorn!
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2600 Winterbottom Rd,
Morris, IL 60450
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Lockport, IL 60441
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