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Like so many other councils, the Central New Jersey Council has a great deal of growth potential. We currently have 52% of our units participating in the popcorn sale and roughly 30% of the Scouts participating. Our growth is going to come by getting more boys selling and by getting the boys that are currently participating to sell more.    One of our biggest challenges is the fact that part of our council is in an affluent area and we often hear “Our parents would rather write a check than sell popcorn.” We know that is not what Scouting is all about, so we have developed two direct mail postcards -- one targeted to Boy Scout families and the other to Cub Scout families. We want to let people know that by selling Popcorn their Scouts will learn some very valuable life skills, and may earn Merit Badges and Achievements. We have scheduled the mailing for mid-August, just prior to the start of our sale.    We also have an incentive program for the Scouts who fill up an entire Take Order form. In addition to the Trail’s End patch and certificate, every Scout will receive one ticket to a New Jersey Nets basketball game and their family can purchase additional tickets at a discounted rate. This is the third year that the Nets organization is supporting us. In addition, we will draw one winner who will receive a free mid-week package to the Great Wolf Lodge, a popular indoor water park in the Poconos. Marc Richardson Scout Executive Central New Jersey Council Princeton, New Jersey [ Download a printable PDF of this story ]

Training videos, caps, pens, posters, t-shirts -- everything you need for a successful and fun popcorn sale kickoff, plus prizes you can use for incentive items. It's The Trading Post, a new, online retail store from Trail's End®.      The new store is available to everyone at trails-end.com. Just click on any of the sections (Families, Councils or Leaders) and then click on The Trading Post link. Or simply use the address: trails-end.com/tradingpost.         Trail's End says "We wanted a store where Leaders could easily place orders for the materials they need to promote their sale, to plan their kickoff and to get incentive items for their Scouts."    The "Kickoff / Promotional Package" includes posters, balloons, banners and the popular Cornhead Hat, a must for any kickoff !    The "Training Package" includes a new "Popcorn University" DVD, with training programs for both boys and Leaders. Also included are diplomas for the "graduates" and "Anything's Possible With Popcorn" wristbands.     The "Incentives Package" contains a nice range of items to instill an extra measure of motivation among your Scouts and Leaders. Included are Trail's End logo items, like baseball caps, T-shirts, pens and hot/cold drink tumblers.     Finally, there is a "Yard Sign Package" that delivers the quantity of signs you need. This is a very effective means of promoting your sale, and the signs are reusable year after year.   Visit The Trading Post at trails-end.com/tradingpost. [ Download a printable PDF of this story ]

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