Sales are popping for Boy Scouts' popcorn drive
Nothing beats the smell of hot, fresh, buttered popcorn on a cool autumn evening, evident by the look of longing in the eyes of brothers Nathan and Justin Peters, members of Boy Scout Troop and Pack 95 of Dover. The brothers were gathered at the home of Cub Scout master Jim Elco to review progress on the group’s annual popcorn sales, and they were eager to taste test the bowl of buttery goodness sitting before them on Elco’s kitchen table.Popcorn sales began Oct. 9, and will run through Nov. 9, and the 935 Scouts in the 43 Scouting Units of the Neta District, made up of Tuscarawas and Carroll counties, are canvassing neighborhoods to promote purchases of the long favorite snack food. In addition to traditional buttered and low-calorie varieties, caramel corn, cheesy corn, trail mix, and even chocolate-coated popcorn are among this year’s offerings.
“It’s important to buy popcorn, because the Pack gets 30 percent of the sales for camping and stuff,” explained 7-year-old Wolf Cub Justin Peters. In total, 70 percent of the funds raised remain in the overall Boy Scout program. Nationwide, recent numbers show that there are approximately two million young boys involved in Cub Scouting and another million in the Boy Scout and Varsity Scout programs. The aim of Scouting, which began in England in 1907, is character development, citizenship training, and physical fitness. According to the words of Lord Baden-Powell, the founder of Scouting, the goal is to provide “fun with a purpose.”
For Nathan, age 10, who is a Webelo II Scout, there is no hesitation when asked what his favorite Scouting activity is. “The camping is my favorite part,” he responded enthusiastically. “We camp at Seven Ranges in Carroll County, and at Camp Tuscazoar.”
“In Cub Scouting, we play games sometimes, and we get awards for projects that we do. We learn about how to behave right, and to say the Pledge of Allegiance, and other things,” added his younger brother, Justin. At every meeting, Scouts recite the Scout Law: “A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.”
Elco has been in Scouting leadership for about 15 years. “A boy gets out of Scouting what the parent puts into it,” he remarked. “The popcorn selling, for the most part, is about earning their way to summer camp. Our troop and pack have also used money from selling popcorn for tents, cooking equipment, and camping gear.” Many Scouts would not be able to go to summer camp without the money they earn through the popcorn sales.
For many young men, their highest aim is to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout, the culmination of many years of hard work – and a lot of popcorn sale campaigns.
“I think that it’s good to sell popcorn because we get a lot of money for Scouting equipment,” explained Nathan. “Scouting teaches me how to respect people. Eagle Scout is the highest rank. It’s hard to get to, and whenever you’re an Eagle Scout, everyone looks up to you because they know you’ve been in Scouting for a long time.” The young man paused for a moment before solemnly adding, “I want to be an Eagle Scout.”
For information on Scouting or purchasing popcorn, contact the local Boy Scouts of America office at 330-364-4223 and Pack 95 at 330-308-0244.