Popcorn Sales 2026

Popcorn is Pack 214’s biggest fundraiser of the year — it funds badges, activities, and Pinewood Derby cars for every scout in the pack. It’s also a great first taste of Scouting for a family that’s still deciding whether to join: reach out to [email protected] if you’d like to see what it’s about before registering.

Jump to: How It Works · Key Dates · Ways to Sell · Getting Set Up · Resources

How It Works

All dens are expected to sell popcorn except Lions (though Lions are welcome to participate if they’d like!). For 2026-27, Pack 214 earns a flat 35% commission on all popcorn sales — both retail (in-person) and online.

Participation requirement: every scout is asked to work 2 Show & Sell shifts this year, sold solo. Siblings from the same family may pair up together on a shift. Scouts brand-new to the pack may also pair with another scout, but only for their first shift — after that, shifts are solo (or sibling-paired). Coordinate with our Popcorn Kernel, Stephanie Bixel ([email protected]), to schedule.

Prefer to opt out of shifts? $100 per shift, per scout ($75 per shift for each additional scout in the same family). Shifts worked or opt-out paid by November 1.

Sales goals: our per-scout sales goal is $600, and our pack-wide goal is $30,000. Every scout who sells beyond their 2 required shifts — through extra shifts or wagon sales — starts building credit in their Scoutbook account starting with their 3rd shift, which can go toward dues, camps, or gear.

Key Dates

• Storefront selling begins September 4, 2026
• Shifts worked or opt-out paid by November 1, 2026

Show & Sell shifts run early September through mid-November and open on a rolling basis through the Trail’s End app — watch Cubby Notes for the current sign-up window.

Ways to Sell

Selling popcorn teaches scouts goal setting, the power of persuasion, how to handle rejection gracefully, perseverance, and math skills — real skills, wrapped in a fundraiser. There are several ways to help your scout reach their goal:

• Show & Sell shifts. Sign up for a 2-hour shift, beginning in early September and running through mid-November. This is how every scout meets their participation requirement. A parent or guardian must stay with their scout — this isn’t a drop-off event — and scouts should wear their Class A uniform (blue/tan button-down shirt, neckerchief, slide, and hat).
• Auto share. Once your scout’s profile is set up in the Trail’s End app (photo, a short message, their den and pack), the “auto share” feature sends a pre-written message to contacts you select from your phone. Many families cover a big chunk of their goal this way in just a few minutes.
• Online sales. Use the app in person to sell, and have the popcorn shipped directly to the buyer — great for coworkers, neighbors, or friends when you don’t have product on hand.
• Door hangers. Place hangers with your scout’s name and web ID (on their Trail’s End dashboard) around your neighborhood so neighbors can order directly from your scout’s page.
• Wagon sales. Check out up to $200 of popcorn to sell in person — door to door, or set up like a lemonade stand in your neighborhood. Log sales in the app as you go. To keep inventory accurate, all product or money must be turned in every 2 weeks (and can be re-checked out at that time). Show & Sell shifts are how scouts meet their 2-shift requirement — wagon sales are a great way to push toward your $600 goal on top of that.

Getting Set Up

Download the Trail’s End app or sign in at their website to create your scout’s profile — this is step one, whether you’re doing Show & Sells, wagon sales, or online-only. When you register, you’ll likely be asked for:

• Council: Mecklenburg County
• District: Etowah District
• Unit: Pack 214
• Unit Code: D656H

Once your account is set up, you can claim Show & Sell shifts that work for your family. New slots open as dates get closer — we’ll keep you posted via Cubby Notes.

Download step-by-step Trail’s End app instructions (PDF)

Resources

The most current popcorn files come directly from council — updated each season:

• 2026 Popcorn Calendar
• 2026 Popcorn Leaders Guide
• 2026 Scout Popcorn Incentives
• 2026 Trail’s End Rewards
• Allergens & Nutritional Information
• Trail’s End Storefront Guide
• Trail’s End App Instructions (PDF)
• Mecklenburg County Council Popcorn Resources — full council page, including popcorn kickoff events

Popcorn products are manufactured in a facility that also processes tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soy, milk, and eggs. Families managing food allergies should review the Allergens & Nutritional Information link above before ordering.