Taste & Tins Favorites of Popcorn Selection Committee

The Fall popcorn brings back not only a great-tasting product but changes to answer all concerns about past sale issues – taste, value, tins, commitment, price & more!

The great taste of Pecatonica River popcorn is back as the product vendor for the first time since 2018 and is a customer favorite. This reason and many others are being implemented to help aid units and Scouts.

This year, more than ever, the popcorn sale is a great opportunity for growth for units and Scouts, while providing support as the council’s single largest fundraiser. The popcorn committee has been working to put the sale together and here are some details at this time:

Signup for the sale

Committing on the website does not mean a unit must participate. There are different time-commitments each unit can choose in their participation. Units looking to only sell during a certain time frame may do so. For example, a unit can sell from Aug. 23 to Sept. 11 and be done, if they choose. Units can sell online only, or some may sell the entire time. You pick!

Unit sign-ups are underway, and you are urged to register with your group now. For more details on how to sign up, see the graphic. As a “thank you” and incentive to signing up by July 15:

• Units will be entered into a drawing for an up-to $50 coupon for a pizza party, that could help with your kickoff. One coupon per district to be awarded.
• Units will receive early access to signing up for Walmart Show & Sell locations. Other locations are coming soon.

Please note, be prepared to answer the question about your unit using the prize program or electing to receive an additional 3% in commission. Additional info under incentive program below

Even if you “signed up” through the council webpage earlier this year, you MUST register via the Pecatonica website, because of the need to select prizes or additional commission.

Why vendor change

Known for its superior tasting product, Pecatonica River returns as the council's product supplier for the first time since 2018. 

Leaders were surveyed and then a panel of volunteers assembled to hear presentations from the nation's top two product vendors.

"We're excited to have them back," said Ted Blum, Sale Chair and council's top volunteer kernel. "Our unit leaders told us what they wanted, and we are looking at a tremendous opportunity for our units with this year's sale."

Pecatonica River was the preferred choice of the volunteers. This group had several meetings, hours of discussion along with a survey to help determine this change.

Popcorn Rallies/Kickoff sessions

There are four opportunities to learn about this year’s sale at the annual Fall Kickoffs. All dates have a 7 p.m. start, with some fellowship and possibly food prior.

• Thursday, July 24, St. Michael's Catholic Church, 750 Bright Rd., Findlay.
• Monday, Aug. 4, Defiance, Camp Lakota dining hall pavilion, 2180 Ginter Rd., Defiance
• Tuesday, Aug. 5, Celina, Purple Door Church, 1100 N. Main St., Celina.
• Wednesday, Aug. 6, Lima, Lima Scout Shop, 752 W. Robb Ave., Lima.

At these kickoffs, registered units will receive copies of both order forms, tasting kit, sale banner and other related materials to help with this year’s sale.

FULL DETAILS CLICK HERE!

Incentive program

The incentive program features a prize company previously used by council to offer units the option of selecting prizes for its Scouts, or the unit can opt for an additional 3% commission. See the Prize Program Form in the resource tab to the right on the popcorn page.

Other incentives include:

• One weekly “fill it up” winner from each district drawn from the completed sales sheets submitted.
• Week 2 & 5 drawings for a Scout and their unit in each district.
• $1,000 sellers invited to a district-level celebration event (example movie event)
• $2,000 sellers earn discount at a council camp in 2026
• Additional Prize company prizes includes: patch, military sale pin, online sale pin, a $500 Bonus Level drawing, $900 Bonus Level for each Scout, Top District Seller prize, and Top 10 overall sellers receive tickets to Toledo Walleye & Mud Hens Fun Pack. See the Prize Form for details.
• All Scouts/Units are eligible for council-level prizes, even Scouts who's unit elected for the additional sales commission.

Units are urged to register today to receive updates on the latest sale news as it becomes available.

Thank you for your support of the Black Swamp Area Council's Scouts, Programs and Popcorn Sale

Have questions? Contact Jim Mason, Popcorn Staff Advisor, at jim.mason@scouting.org. or at (567) 208-5267.