Fundraising Ideas for an Educational Trip?

[Life's Like This]

Hey guys, I am going this summer to a Leadership Summit in UCLA as an ambassador in People To People. The problem is that it is too expensive and I don't want my parents to pay for whole thing, and I think I would appreciate it more if I raise more than half ( if not all) of the money needed.
The costs are:
- Passport papers: 300$
- Visa: 160$
- Airline tickets: 1400$
- People to people programs: 2490$
- Insurance: 160$
- Snacks & souvenirs: 500$

So the grand total is about 5000$. Can you please suggest some easy and efficient ways I can provide money with? Other than workingnin Burger King, babysitting, ans these cliché teen jobs?

Thank you very much!

[ReginaGeorge]

Well, first, obviously, get a job. Where ever you can. Don't get two jobs, you still have school to deal with, but doing odd jobs for neighbours and friends, like babysitting and mowing the lawn, walking the dogs, washing the car, that kind of thing can really bring in some cash! I know that's not the answer you wanted, but you don't have to babysit, including other things I listed, there's SO MUCH you can do. But babysitting $10-$15 an hours, watch TV with a 7 year old for three hours, BAM, $30 - $45. $20 - $25 bucks to wash your Mum's car. $20 to mow your grandma's lawn. $15 to walk your neighbours dog for half an hour. That's a third of your Visa or Insurance right there. Those prices are estimates, if you do decide to do random chores, I suggest doing some Googling to find average prices.

Remember, you need to be realistic, $5000 is A LOT of money.

If you get desperate, you can ask for donations from family and friends. I'm not saying begging for $100, but just asking if they have a spare 5 or 10 bucks lying around that you can have, and if 10 people give you 5 or 10 bucks, that $50 to $100 right there.

If you're not shy, and have a talent, you can try busking in popular areas, although I have no idea how much money that would rake in, maybe nothing. It really depends on the situation.

You can have a raffle. Spend between $20 - $50 filling up a basket or two or goodies that people love, maybe have a more masculine basket then a more feminine basket, then a couple of bucks on a raffle ticket books, and selling tickets for $2 - $5 depending on how professional and tempting you can make your baskets look. Tell yours parents, family, neighbors, school friends, teachers, parents colleges and friend, the friends families, tell people to buy more than one ticket etc. The more the better, getting the tickets out costs you nothing and gets you money. If you sold just 20 tickets a $4 each, that's $80. Imagine selling a hundred tickets. I'd ask around first to see how many people would be interested first though.

If you got permission from your school, you could run a lolly stand. My friend did that to help fundraiser for an overseas trip. He did it a couple times a week over a term I think and he earned around $100 - $200 profit. Doesn't take much to buy show cheap paper bags, about $20 worth of lollies and stick them in a tub and wait for your peers to indulge their sweet tooth.

Another, if your family okay's it, you could have garage sale! Get right of some old junk on the weekend. It will cost you nothing even if you don't bring much money if, alternatively it could bring a lot of money. You could even ask your parents and friends to donate old crap they don't want so you could sell that too.

Good luck. :)

[CaliforniaMatt]

I work everyday, 7 days a week, for several hours a day. I make around $840 USD a week if I bust a$$ and work 6 hrs a day. It gets difficult, but I manage to keep a good GPA. I don't recommend it, because you WILL lose sleep and it's hard to function.
NotSoSilentHill made some very good recommendations, you can make pretty good $ from doing neighborhood chores. If you babysit, make sure to get Red Cross training or training from a local FD or hospital.

Burger King isn't going to pay too well: focus on your skills- what can you do that makes you unique? For example, if you're good with computers, start a repair business or a web design business.

Good luck, and enjoy California. UCLA is in a nice part of town, very vibrant. I love L.A.

[Life's Like This]

Thank you guys for all whatbyou have suggested. I got some ideas from them!
The problem is that no one in my town wants to get his car washed by a teen when there's a car wash a mile away. I'm thinking about tutoring too, since I have a very high GPA, but then again, there are a lot of professional tutoring offices that offer aid for students. And my school has extra sessions in certain subjects for those who need.Why would parents allow me to tutor?

That's why I'm thinking of Burger King. There is no choice but wrapping my way to LA!