June/July 2004 Volume 30 Issue 6  

Money-earning Activities

How to get the dough to travel to and fro

How do individuals and groups pay for those cool trips you hear about like going to Sea World, Our Chalet, Georgia, or even to the next town? It takes a lot of planning, careful budgeting, and a real commitment. Here are some ideas to get started. Be sure you read the guidelines for money- earning activities in the GSSJC Resource Guide before you start brainstorming.

Putting together a budget
The first step in creating a travel budget is calculating how much the trip will cost. Here are some considerations for the budget:

  • How much of the information can you gather by a group or as individuals?
  • Is there a set fee for what you want to do (like going on a tour) or do you need to figure out all or part of the costs?
  • How can you use the Internet as a tool in planning?
  • Are there others you can talk to about how much things cost where you are going?
  • Do you have access to discounted tickets or places to stay; are you camping along the way?
  • How many days will you be gone? How are you traveling?
  • Make a list of everything you expect to pay for and estimate how much each thing will cost. Include meals, transportation, equipment, materials, and admission and/or ticket fees.
  • How many adults should be traveling with you? What if more want to go?
  • When you do a money-earning activity, are you earning money for adults as well?
  • What happens if a new girl joins your troop? How might she have the opportunity to go on the trip?
  • How much time are you allowing yourselves to earn money for the trip?

Is it enough? What if you do not reach your goal? Will you wait another year or do you have a “Plan B?”

Ideas for Troop Money Earning

  • Girl Scout Product Sales such as the Fall Product Sale and Cookie Sale are the best way to earn money. Host as many Cookie Shops as possible. Consider doing a Cookie Shop at a major public event or take orders for mid-term or finals “care packages” for students at a university.
 Another idea is working food booths at local sporting events. Troops can earn extra spending money by collecting aluminum cans and having them recycled.
Car washes and bake sales are an old standard, but it sure takes a lot to get anywhere. How about spring window washing, indoors and out?
Work with your troop sponsor. Ask them to put up matching funds for any money you raise or help you at a troop money- earning activity. (Be sure to send postcards to the sponsor during the trip!)
Ideas for individuals Girl Scouts include baby-sitting, tutoring, taking care of animals, or plant-sitting.
Follow Safety-Wise standards about money-earning activities, which include getting written approval from the service unit or Council before starting a troop or group money-earning project. Make sure activities are age appropriate and within the goals and principles of Girl Scout program. (This means that games of chance, direct solicitation for cash, or product endorsement are not appropriate.) Make sure an adult is around at all times when girls are doing money-earning activities outside the meeting place.

Summer fun can be found close to home

Girls don’t have to go across the world, country, or state to have fun. There are plenty of great travel destinations in your town to visit. Here are some ideas and events girls might like to visit. Be sure to check out the On-The-Go section in this issue for even more ideas.

Musuem, Pool
Zoo, Nature Center
Science Center, County Fair
Wildlife Sanctuary, Park
Theater Performance, Sports Event, Lake Movies, Skate Rink, Library Event
Firework Demonstration, Mall
4th of July Concert, College Campus

Travel to South Carolina to learn and appreciate Indian hertitage

The 47th American Indian Boy Scouting/Girl Scouting Seminar is scheduled for July 17-21 at Converse College in Spartanburg, South Carolina. This is a joint venture of Girl Scouts of the USA and Boy Scouts of America. Registered Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, ages 12-17, and adult volunteers are invited to participate in the seminar.
The seminar host is the Catawba Tribe, which will share its history and culture with participants. The purpose of the seminar is to help youth recognize their talents and capabilities through Girl Scouting and Boy Scouting so that they can serve their own communities and to help youths of all tribes and cultures learn by association to appreciate the wide differences of people of Indian heritage. Adults will develop their talents through Boy Scouting and Girl Scouting to better serve American Indian youth. Participants do not have to be an American Indian to attend the seminar.
The deadline to register is June 17. The seminar fee is $175 if paid before June 17 and $203 if paid after June 17. The fee includes seminar activities, lodging on campus, and a meal ticket. Participants will need to make their own travel arrangements.
For information and registration forms call Barbara Boies at GSUSA at 1-800-478-7248, Deban Becker at GSSJC at 713-292-0203, Don Rogers at BSA at 972-580-2127, or visit the Web site at http://pages.prodigy.net/rose_marshall/index.htm.