NOTE: This program was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. It will resume next year.
Folks,
It’s that time of year again… time to sell camp cards. I’m please to say that a) the camp card is even better than last years and b) we are going to do “show and sells” in front of commercial locations. For our new folks:
What’s a Camp Card?
A plastic card with several one-time coupons, and a center coupon with approximately 12 multi-use coupons; the multi-use ones are good until 12/31/2020. These are designed to work with central Maryland locations of these stores, and may not work elsewhere. Some examples:
- $5 off $50 at Safeway (but Giant and Harris Teeter honor competitor coupons!)
- $5 off $25 at Ace Hardware
- $5 off $25 at Ledo’s Pizza
- $10 off $50 at Dick’s Sporting Goods
- $5 off $25 at the Greene Turtle (multi-use)
- $1 off medium/large shake or blast at Sonic (multi-use)
- Buy one, get one 50% off at Sweet Frog (multi-use)
- Etc…
It’s a great deal in general, and for the right person, a super deal! To see a close up of the card, go here:
http://www.baltimorebsa.org/resources/fundraising/camp-cards/44450
How much does it cost?
We are asking people to make a “free” donation of $5 to Scouting and our Cub Scout Pack. It’s free to them because if they walk into Ace Hardware (see below) they can immediately get their $5 back. Or Safeway, or Giant, or Dick’s, Or Ledo’s. They get their $5 back.
How is the money raised distributed?
This is also a fundraiser for our local Scout Council. Of the $5, $2.50 goes to the Council, and $2.50 comes to us (50% profit margin!). Of the $2.50 that goes to us, $1.25 goes to the Scout who sold them for future costs (to be used at your direction) and $1.25 goes to cover the operating costs of Pack 3807 (the 12′ bridge that was built wasn’t cheap, and neither are all of the patches that we hand out!).
There is a special incentive for Scouts who use the proceeds of camp card sales to go to Broad Creek for summer camp (see previous email). If you are interested in doing that, I need to know!
Where are we selling?
Leaders and parents can sign out cards to sell themselves, wherever you want (although please check the policies of your workplace if you decide to sell them there). My personal goal is 100 (I’m selling them everywhere, including at First English – I admit I bought 20 for myself last year and just used them all at Giant, and gave the rest away to my student employees). However, we want to the Scouts to experience salesmanship and “pay their way,” so we will be arranging sales opportunities (“show and sells”) for the Scouts to interact with people while wearing their full Scout uniform. We are going to start with Ace Hardware in Waverly on two upcoming Saturdays.
One thing Scouting has learned is that we only want two families present for each time slot. This a) doesn’t overwhelm the customers b) doesn’t block the entrance and c) allows us to maintain youth protection!
Add to this our ability to take credit cards, and we might raise some serious money for our pack!
We will not penalize Scouts and families who pick less desirable time slots at our show and sells. The proceeds of these events will be distributed evenly among the families that participate.
We will be working to schedule follow-up show and sells at a local Safeway, but we have limited options.
Is there any risk?
Your responsibility is to return the unsold cards or the money. We can return as many cards as we want. Your only risk is losing cards or money that you have collected.
We will be selling camp cards until the middle of May, exact date to follow.
Please email me directly if you have any questions.
YIS,
-Dave