Ideas needed for earning money for girls camp.

[Anonymous UserParticipant]

I am looking for some ideas that correspond with the guidelines in Handbook II to enable our YW to earn money for girls camp this year. In the past we did a dinner and dessert auction but most of us ended up spending more money than if we had just payed for our own daughters individually. We also have those YW who do not have the money yet we want all to attend and would like them to earn it rather than the money come from the budget. We used the budge last year in additon to the fund raiser to provide everyone the opportunity to attend. Ultimately we would rather have all the girls have the opportunity to earn it rather than having them expect the ward or their parents to pay for them all of the time. We believe they would have a greater appreciation for the experience since they have invested their time and efforts into perparing to attend. We also think that having them work together for a common goal would bring the girls closer together by working with each other. What would be some ideas that all YW could participate in to provide them the means to contribute to the expense of camp?

[Jenny SmithParticipant]

Fundraisers are kind of a tricky topic. You are right to hope the girls will earn money for camp, but it is not necessarily a requirement for church leaders to help them do that. It’s not the responsibility of church leaders to teach kids to work. It’s parents’ responsibility to teach their children. Church leaders offer support. Remember that “Fund-raising activities are not usually approved because expenses for stake and ward activities are paid with budget funds” and that “If funds from participants are not sufficient, the bishop may authorize one group fund-raising activity annually that complies with the guidelines in 13.6.8.” See also 13.2.8.

First you should work with your Bishopric to determine the needs of the girls in your area. Can a majority of families afford to pay for camp themselves? It sounds as if this is so, based on your description of your earlier fundraiser. If so, instruct the girls that they will be earning their own money for camp, but that no girl should feel that they can’t come to camp because of money. Ward funds can help make up for any girls with financial hardship. Let them know the amount of money they need to earn and give them a deadline.

Our ward did it right (first time I’ve ever seen it done) this year. Our bishop announced the fees for camp several months in advance. The girls were told that they would come up with money themselves in a meeting with parents. Parents were invited to ask the girls to do special chores or find work to help earn their way to camp. The Bishop let the girls know that parents weren’t gifting camp money to them — they were earning it. Girls were encouraged seek work opportunities for family and friends to earn money for camp. We did have one family with two camp-age daughters for whom money is a greater struggle. Most of us knew it, and we were ready to help out. The mother and daughters worked together and came up with ideas for work they could do, including pulling weeds and selling homemade tamales. They worked hard and were blessed for it.

If a majority of girls in your unit can not afford to pay for camp and have no hope of earning camp money on their own, you can consider a fundraiser. Fundraisers should be last ditch efforts and should be avoided whenever possible. Consider the time and effort needed to pull off a fundraiser. Is the prep time worth the return on investment? How about the time and effort on the part of families who participate? Will families be taken away from their homes for large amounts of time? Will it tap the same generous ward members you always use?

Given all that, I have seen car washes work well as fundraisers. Selling special food works, too. Weeds always need to be pulled in new gardens. Sheds need painting. Rent-a-Scout/Kid at a set hourly rate seems to work pretty well, too. Cleaning stadiums has been suggested. I’m sure others have great suggestions, too.

[Anonymous UserParticipant]

Something our ward did each year was the “Spring Fling Auction.” Both the YW as well as YM asked different people in the ward and community for things to donate (Everything from old computers to spa tickets to piano lessons).

Then we had a silent auction for all the stuff we collected. Also the YW would make desserts for the live auction, and the YM auctioned themselves for service opportunities. It was a blast and so much fun! The whole ward joined in and helped out. Hope this helps!!

Other auction ideas are: food, sports memorabilia, paintings, instruments, services from the community (free oil change for car, computer help, dance lessons, percent off chiropractic exam, day at the spa, etc.)

[Anonymous UserParticipant]

When our YW in our very small Branch needed money for Girls Camp they were able to make $400 profit pretty quickly. They made and sold Pumpkin rolls. The rolls cost $6.00 each to make and they sold them for $12.00 each. They took orders from family, friends, church members, etc., about a month before a holiday such as Easter, 4th of July, etc. then made and froze the pumpkin rolls and handed them out and collected their money a week before the holiday. All the buyers had to do was keep them frozen until the night before they wanted to eat them. They were wrapped in white wax paper with a ribbon on them and were a big hit with the buyers. They had mutiple orders for seconds.

[Anonymous UserParticipant]

Our ward’s YW group has done this last year and worked out well. We had a sign up list passed around RS and Priesthood. It was for smalljobs the girls can do around their houses. Prices were agreed upon between the 2 parties. Several were for babysitting, but we do have some older single sisters who can not work in their yard so well. Our Scouts have used for several years with great sucess, a lawn aerator. The girls, with supervision of a parent can also do this. At $25-30 per yard it only takes a couple of yards to earn your money!!

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