KERNEL JOURNAL - July 24, 2025

Get ready for an exciting popcorn sale season! We've got some fantastic updates, important deadlines, and awesome incentives to share that will help your unit shine. Let's make this year our most successful yet!

Pecatonica River Popcorn is Coming to You!

We're thrilled to announce that Pecatonica River Popcorn representatives will be at our Fall Kickoffs to share all about their fantastic products! This is a can't-miss opportunity to learn more, ask questions, and get excited for the sale.

• Tonight (July 24th) in Findlay: Meet Nick Solomon, the company owner, in person!
• August 4th & 5th (Defiance & Celina): Our local representative will be there to guide you.

Don't miss out! Get full details and find a Kickoff near you: Fall Kickoff Dates & Locations!

Important! Your First Popcorn Order Due September 6th

For units eager to get a head start and have popcorn in hand for selling, your Initial First Order is due by September 6th!

• How to Order: Log into your account on the Pecatonica website to submit your order.
• Delivery: Product is expected back at the council between August 20th-22nd. Specific pickup information, including confirmed warehouse locations (currently Findlay, with more being explored!), will be shared soon.

'Fill It Up' Weekly Prizes: Win Big!

Get ready to boost your sales with our exciting 'Fill It Up' weekly prize drawings! Every week, Scouts have a chance to win in their district.

• How to Enter: Simply submit a scan or photo of a Scout's completely filled order form by noon each Friday.
• Details: Find all the specifics on Page 21 of your leader's guide.
• Keep Trying! Submissions not selected will remain in the drawing pool for future weeks. (One entry per completed form, but each Scout can enter with multiple completed forms!)

Double Your Chances! Special "Double Winner" Weeks!

Mark your calendars for Week 2 and Week 5! During these special "Double Winner" drawings, both the Scout AND their Unit will receive prizes! The Scout wins the weekly prize, and your unit gets to choose a FREE cabin rental at either Camp Lakota or Camp Berry! This is a fantastic opportunity for unit rewards!

Walmart Show & Sell Locations: Coming Soon!

Get ready to sign up for prime selling spots! Details for our confirmed Walmart Show & Sell locations are coming very soon. We're using Signup Genius for this process.

• Early Birds Get First Pick! Units that registered early (by July 15th) will receive first access to locations. An exclusive email for early registrants is likely hitting your inbox this afternoon.
• Other Locations: Remember, you can still reserve other community locations for your unit!

A HUGE Thank You for Your Commitment!

We are so incredibly grateful for your commitment to this year's popcorn sale! We're thrilled to share that 60 units have committed so far, a significant jump from 37 last year!

The funds raised through this fundraiser are vital. They not only directly support your unit's programming, but also contribute to the council's annual operations, helping to keep the cost of Scouting in Black Swamp as low as possible. Thank you for making a difference!

It's not too late to join us! If your unit hasn't registered yet, we encourage you to do so!

Register Your Unit for the Sale Today!

Ready to get started? Register your unit now on the Pecatonica website! This is the key to receiving all crucial sale information. Even if you're not 100% sure about selling, register today—there's no penalty if you decide not to participate later.

Special Offer! Units registering before receiving their Kickoff Rally Kits will receive TWO tasting kits!

Click here to register: https://pecatonicariverpopcorn.com/signup.php

What to Know Before You Register:

• You'll choose between an awesome prize program for your Scouts OR an additional 3% commission for your unit.
• Your Council Code is: 449BSAC.

Have Questions? We've Got Answers!

We've compiled some common questions to help you out:

• Q: Can my unit come to a Kickoff even if we haven’t committed to the popcorn sale?
  • A: Absolutely! We encourage you to attend, learn more about the sale, see the new products, and get a better understanding of this fundraiser.
• Q: I cannot access my Pecatonica account, but I know I registered?
  • A: We can confirm your unit’s username and reset your password if needed. Just reach out!
• Q: Are there other questions from units?
  • A: Yes, we're collecting them and posting them as a resource on our webpage. Find the link on the council popcorn webpage under "Questions?" or CLICK HERE!
• Q: Where can I find past copies of the Kernel Journal emails?
  • A: Emails are posted on the Council Website home page in the "Latest News" section, or you can find the 2025 archive by clicking HERE!

We're incredibly excited for this year's popcorn sale and the positive impact it will have on our Scouts and units. Let's make it a fantastic season!

We're looking forward to seeing you have a successful sale this year!

Questions?

Please contact your district kernel or staff advisor Jim Mason directly. Do not call the office with popcorn sale inquiries.

ARROWWOOD DISTRICT Rochelle Manley 567.208.5286 Rochelle.Manley@Scouting.org	CHINQUAPIN DISTRICT Ashley Kirtley 419.708.5597 AshleyKirtley2017@gmail.com	GREAT OAKS DISTRICT Tim Vondrell 419.224.9305 tvondrell@gmail.com
OLD SYCAMORE DISTRICT Joanie Fella-Diegel 567.279.4257 stephfella@gmail.com	COUNCIL KERNEL Ted Blum 419.306.4153 twb@blumcounty.com	COUNCIL STAFF ADVISOR Jim Mason 567.208.5267 Jim.Mason@Scouting.org