Key Takeaways

• The annual Scouting America popcorn fundraiser helps Scouts pay for camp, activities, uniforms, supplies, and adventures.
• More than 70% of popcorn sales support local Scouting programs and youth opportunities.
• The Laurel Highlands Council’s Boy Scout fundraising popcorn program helps Scouts build confidence, communication skills, responsibility, and goal-setting habits.
• Supporters can buy popcorn from local Scouts, order online, visit storefront sales, or choose a Heroes and Helpers donation.
• Participating in the annual Laurel Highlands popcorn sale helps local Scouts learn, lead, serve, and experience more of what Scouting offers.

What to Know About the Annual Scouting Popcorn Fundraiser

Every fall, the Scouting America Popcorn fundraiser gives Scouts a practical way to help fund the experiences that make Scouting meaningful. For families, neighbors, and community supporters, buying Cub or Scout popcorn (formerly Boy Scout popcorn) does more than provide a snack. It helps young people build confidence, practice responsibility, and take ownership of their Scouting journey.

When Did Boy Scouts Start Selling Popcorn?

Scouts have sold popcorn as a national fundraising tool since 1980. Over the years, Scout and Cub Scout popcorn sales have helped youth pay for day camps, summer camps, high-adventure experiences, unit activities, and even major Scouting trips. The fundraiser also helps Scouts practice goal setting, money management, decision-making, business ethics, entrepreneurship, and communication.

Who Makes Boy Scout Popcorn?

Scouting America works with three officially licensed popcorn suppliers. The national organization renewed agreements with Trail’s End, Pecatonica River Popcorn, and Camp Masters, which are authorized to produce popcorn nationally for Boy Scout fundraising (now referred to as Scouting fundraising). Councils choose the supplier that best fits their local program. 

What Percentage of Popcorn Sales Go to Scouts?

Popcorn fundraising offers strong local support. About 70% of popcorn sales support local Scouting. That support can help fund unit programming, camp experiences, camp properties, and other Scouting needs. 

Where Can I Buy Boy Scout Popcorn?

Supporters can usually buy Scout popcorn through local Scouts, storefront sales, wagon or take-order sales, and online direct sales. Online sales make it easier for relatives, friends, and supporters outside the local area to participate. Some councils also offer donation-based options for people who want to support Scouts without purchasing popcorn for themselves.

How the Laurel Highlands Popcorn Fundraiser Supports Local Scouts

The Laurel Highlands Council is inviting units and supporters to get ready for a “Jurassic Pop” year of popcorn sales. The council explains that popcorn helps Scouts fund their own adventures, including camp, while also supporting camp upkeep, annual fees, uniforms, unit supplies, equipment, and more.

That matters because Scouting becomes more accessible when youth can help earn their own way. A successful popcorn sale can reduce financial barriers for families, strengthen unit budgets, and make it easier for Scouts to participate fully in activities throughout the year.

What Scouts Learn When They Sell Popcorn

Selling popcorn teaches lessons that last beyond the fundraiser. Laurel Highlands Council notes that Scouts learn public speaking, math skills, salesmanship, perseverance, hard work, helping others, and what it means to be part of something bigger.

Those skills come through real practice. Scouts learn how to introduce themselves, explain their goals, answer questions, thank customers, track sales, and follow through. The fundraiser gives young people a safe, structured way to grow in confidence while supporting their pack, troop, or crew.

What Units Gain by Participating

For units, popcorn can provide an organized, efficient fundraising path. The program is a high-return, turnkey fundraiser that supports programming and recruitment. Trail’s End offers a mobile-enabled system that helps units manage storefronts, orders, inventory, and Scout sales in real time.

These tools can help new leaders start strong, spend less time planning fundraisers, and focus more energy on delivering memorable Scouting experiences.

What Supporters Can Buy

The 2026 Trail’s End product guide highlights popular popcorn options designed to keep the sale simple for Scouts, leaders, and customers. Product options include $20 Sea Salt Popcorn, White Cheddar Popcorn, Salted Caramel Corn, and Sweet & Salty Kettle Corn, along with $25 Microwave Butter Popcorn. The products contain no artificial colors or flavors.

How to Support the Laurel Highlands Popcorn Fundraiser

The easiest way to support the Laurel Highlands Council fundraiser is to buy from a Scout, stop by a local storefront sale, order through a Scout’s online link, or choose a Heroes and Helpers donation.

Families and unit leaders can also participate by registering their unit, attending virtual training, using the Trail’s End app, and encouraging Scouts to set meaningful goals. Laurel Highlands Council has posted its 2026 popcorn timeline, with campaign kickoff, virtual trainings, order deadlines, distribution dates, exchange pickups, and final payment information to help units plan ahead.

When you support the Laurel Highlands popcorn fundraiser, you help local Scouts do more than sell popcorn. You help them go to camp, build confidence, learn responsibility, and experience the adventure, leadership, and community that make Scouting matter.

Get Ready for Jurassic POP With the Laurel Highlands Council

Fundraisers are a great way to teach children to set goals, build social skills, and work as part of a team in support of a community. For residents in the western parts of Pennsylvania, Maryland, or West Virginia, enrolling your child in the Scouting America Laurel Highlands Council or helping a Scout sell popcorn is an excellent way for them to learn these skills. Learn more about our fundraising events, Boy Scout fundraising rules, and our upcoming Popcorn Fundraiser.

Contact us to learn more about our Cub Scout and Scouts BSA programs for your child, and join now!