Ways to Save on Brownie Troop Costs
Girl Scout Leaders Can Embrace Frugality to Counter Bad Economy
Aug 15, 2009
Brownie Girl Scout troops have a lot of little expenses, which can add up in costs. If bank accounts are slim this year, leaders can take steps to save money
Girl Scout leaders may have to extra careful with funds this year because of the troubled economy. It’s easy to save on field trips, craft supplies and snacks.
Field Trip Frugality
Field trips can be expensive, moderate, or completely free. The recession means that some Brownie Scout parents may have lost jobs, so even $5 to $10 field trips could be a pinch.
Interesting, free field trips include:
- newspaper
- bank
- bakery
- mechanic’s shop
- paint store that has a color specialist on staff.
- artist studio
Cut Brownie Craft Costs:
- Garage sales and thrift shops: Old costume necklaces, usually available for a dollar or two, can be easily cut apart for use in beading projects. These recycled beads will be much cheaper and more interesting than packages of beads. Other finds at garage sales: Blank matchboxes (to make the Girl Scout favors called SWAPS), yarn, felt and picture frames.
- Parents and extended family: Children often buy new school supplies at the beginning of the year; a leader can send a note to parents asking if they will donate supplies that would have been discarded.
- Big Box Discount Stores: Businesses such as Sam’s Club generally sell basic supplies at a deep discount cost. If large quantities are required, the leader of a small troop can split the supplies and cost with another troop, and both will save.
- Use Tax-Free ID: Girl Scouts are entitled to use the tax-exemption for non-profits; the troop's district council provides the tax-exempt number to leaders. The key is to actually remember to take the number when shopping.
Save on Scout Snacks
While parents generally take turns providing the snacks at troop meetings, leaders generally purchase food for events, such as overnights and longer field trips.
Some ways to save:
- Avoid Convenient Snacks: Individually packaged chips and pretzels are common at group events for children. They are convenient, but also much more expensive per ounce. The best bet: Hit the discount store for large packages of snacks, and then redistribute snacks into off-label plastic snack bags. These homemade snack packs can be frozen to avoid meeting day preparation.
- Make Thrifty Sandwiches: Almost all children enjoy white bread and jelly sandwiches; those with nut allergies can also enjoy them. Bread and jelly sandwiches are ridiculously quick and cheap to make, and can be frozen long before needed, The sandwiches will travel easily if they are taken out of the freezer right before the event starts.
- Use Cups Instead of Bottles: Unless the troop goes to a place that is away from civilization, it’s usually quite easy to find clean tap water to fill in cheap paper cups. Even better: Older Brownie Scouts can bring their own reusable water bottle to meetings.
- Ask for Discounts: Some pizza places, ice cream stores, etc. have a soft spot for Girl Scouts, especially if the owner has a child who has either been a Scout or attended the school which sponsors the troop. It never hurts to politely ask if there is a discount for Brownie Girl Scouts!
More Information:
Read about economy's impact on 2008 cookie sales
The copyright of the article Ways to Save on Brownie Troop Costs in Kids Activities is owned by Katherine Spitz. Permission to republish Ways to Save on Brownie Troop Costs in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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