Cub Scouts Pack Meeting

We have a bi-annual state show which has a kid auction using a fake credit line of $300 given to each child. There are kids from toddlers to young collectors who bid on a slew of donated items ranging from items of little or no value (planchets, etc...) to reasonably valuable items (slabbed dollars, etc...).

The kids love bidding and regardless of their coup, they seem to get a lot of satisfaction from being the winner and receiving their prize. My son who has been involved bids like a drunken sailor immediately from the beginning until he's spent the entire allocation of credit. Others get some coaching to be patient and pursue the more valuable stuff, but the little ones tend to like the shine and shear quantity of packaged lots regardless of value.

It's a lot of fun and the kids get to walk away with some loot while getting exposed to the hobby. As I recall, they have a few intermittant trivia questions which the youngsters can win coin related prizes as well.

If you got a few donations from a number of folks, you could put together a pretty nice event. I guarantee the kids would have a blast and a few might walk away form the experience with a real interest in the hobby.

The auction idea is fantastic. I also love the idea to contact suppliers and dealers.

Thanks guys. These ideas are great. Please, please keep them coming.

Also, the PMs I've gotten with offers of donations are unexpected and extremely generous. I can't thank you guys (and gals) enough. You've really made my day, and you're going to really make this meeting a success. Thank you all so much.

SJUH

If I knew how to PM you, I have some coins you could have for the event. Get back to me with a little help with that and I'll get a package in the mail.

MW

Visit the u s mint website. They have a education section and also offer free educational supplies.

I'll help out how I can. Send me a message.

Otherwise, I have one idea (dont know if it's a good idea or not).

Educate them on the classic coins in the standard denominations.
IHC, Wheat, Buffalo, Mercurys, <65 quarters, Franklins, etc.

Instruct them to keep their eyes out for older coins (actually "hunt" for them).

Each time they find one, they submit it to you for cataloging and storage in the Pack's Collection.

Label each coin's value.

You could establish a goal, merits, a game, or competition.

I think this engages them in a more active way.

Jim (two merit badges short of Eagle Scout -- boo hoo -- I was too chicken back then to publicly speak for the last two merit badges)

Jim, PM sent.

If you have enough coin folders, like one for each scout, maybe ask the scouts to bring a few rolls of cents each to the meeting to search through them to fill up the folders?