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Learning to think like an entrepreneur? Developing business smarts? Getting to know customers and building lasting relationships? There’s so much more to that package of Thin Mints®.
Whether they participate in the Girl Scout Cookie Program or the Girl Scout Fall Product Program (or both!), everything they learn prepares them to take on the world. Plus, Girl Scout Cookie proceeds stay in your local community to power amazing year-round experiences that broaden their worlds and spark their sense of wonder.
Five Essential Skills 
Girl Scouts as young as five develop five essential skills through the Girl Scout Product Program—skills that will help them be successful today and throughout their lives:
Goal Setting. Girls learn to create a plan to reach their goals.
Decision Making. Girls learn to make decisions on their own and as a team.
Money Management. Girls learn to create a budget and handle money.
People Skills. Girls find their voice and up their confidence through customer interactions that build relationships.
Business Ethics. Girls learn to act responsibly and honestly, both in business and in life.
But building their business know-how isn’t just tied to the products themselves! Girl Scouts at any level can continue honing their entrepreneurial skills by earning the Cookie Business badges, Cookie Entrepreneur Family Pin, and the Financial Literacy badges year over year.
Before your Girl Scouts open shop, be sure to check out these helpful troop leader resources that will empower you to:
Manage your troop’s funds.
Learn how girls participate in money earning.
Discover how your troop can reach its financial goals.
Plan activities to help her earn cookie pins and badges
Understand just how much your girls are capable of by grade level and how their entrepreneurial skills progress.
Girl Scout Cookie History
What started with Girl Scouts selling home-baked cookies to raise money grew into enlisting professional bakers in 1936 to handle the growing demand—and the rest is history. Explore Girl Scout Cookie History to find out how cookies have helped build generations of female entrepreneurs and leaders who make the world a better place.
Where Cookie Proceeds Go
After paying for the cost of cookies and materials, Girl Scout Cookie proceeds stay local and help councils provide Girl Scout programs in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), the outdoors, life skills, entrepreneurship, and more—in camps, through leadership training, and multiple other ways. A portion of the proceeds is directly managed by girls, and it’s up to them to decide how to invest their troop’s share of the earnings.
The annual "How the Cookie Crumbles" provides a breakdown of how cookie program proceeds support Girl Scout activities locally. Please share this information with girls and their families so everyone understands that product program sales make it possible for your Girl Scout council to serve girls.
Troop members share in the proceeds from a successful product program; proceeds are not distributed to individual girl members. Girls, however, may be eligible for rewards and credits that they put toward council-sponsored camps, programs, and Girl Scout swag. The council plan for rewards applies equally to all girls participating in the product program activity. Visit Cookie Central for more information about individual rewards and troop proceeds locally.
The Girl Scouts Blue Book of Basic Documents specifies that:
“All money and other assets, including property, that are raised, earned, or otherwise received in the name of and for the benefit of Girl Scouting must be held and authorized by a Girl Scout council or Girl Scouts of the USA. Such money and other assets must be used for the purposes of Girl Scouting.”
— “Ownership of Assets,” Girl Scouts Blue Book of Basic Documents
Making s’mores under the stars, creating a lasting impact in your community, or ordering supplies for an eye-opening STEM project—there are limitless ways to put troop proceeds toward dynamic Girl Scout experiences! There are a few things, however, that don’t qualify for “purposes of Girl Scouting,” for instance, using troop proceeds to purchase memberships in or uniforms for another organization. We encourage all councils to remind their volunteers of this policy in order to avoid diversion of Girl Scout funds.
Your Council's Role
When you are set up for success, you are better able to set up your girls for success! That’s why every year, your council provides trainings, guidelines, and procedures for conducting the Girl Scout Cookie Program and fall product program and determines how the proceeds and product rewards system will be managed. Check the Product Program section of our website to find the answers you need as well as local training and resources.
Each council also selects the vendors of its choice to provide the products for their product programs. Two commercial bakers are licensed by Girl Scouts of the USA to produce Girl Scout Cookies: Little Brownie Bakers and ABC Bakers. You can also Meet the Cookies and find additional info on cookie varieties, including nutritional details.
Councils also work with vendors to offer magazine subscriptions, nut and candy products, and more for the fall product program. These companies are Ashdon Farms, Trophy Nut, and M2 Media Group. Each provides online tools and activities for girls to download. Magazine selection and sales may take place online—check with your council for more details.
Each council also selects the vendors of its choice to provide the products for their product programs. Two commercial bakers are licensed by Girl Scouts of the USA to produce Girl Scout Cookies: Little Brownie Bakers and ABC Bakers. You can also Meet the Cookies and find additional info on cookie varieties, including nutritional details.
Councils also work with vendors to offer magazine subscriptions, nut and candy products, and more for the fall product program. These companies are Ashdon Farms, Trophy Nut, and M2 Media Group. M2 Media Group provides online tools and activities for Girl Scouts.
Your Role
You play an exciting role in giving your Girl Scouts opportunities to practice the five skills as they learn how to think like entrepreneurs. Some of the things you’ll do include:
Get girls excited about the opportunities to support the troop (but allow their participation to be voluntary).
Support both competitive and apprehensive Girl Scout entrepreneurs, helping all your girls set meaningful goals for themselves.
Fostering partnerships with each Girl Scout’s family to ensure product program success, whatever that may look like for her, will help you build a positive partnership with girls and families, and the Cookie Entrepreneur Family pin is designed to help families support girls’ growth at home.
Not only can girls sell individually, both in-person and using the online tools provided by each vendor, but they can also participate in group booth sales during the cookie programs. Your local council has additional guidance and processes to market and ensure every booth is in a safe and appropriate location.
As your Girl Scouts grow, your role will evolve from a hands-on one to providing oversight and support where needed. No matter their ages, remember that volunteers and parents/caregivers do not sell the product. Your role is to encourage your girls and let their entrepreneurial spirit soar. Learning by doing is exactly how your girls develop the business savvy and communication skills that will empower them to reach any goals they set for themselves.
Another critical task for each troop is to establish a clear accounting system for all proceeds and product during the programs. It's up to you to make sure that money is spent wisely, that excellent records are kept (remember to keep copies of all receipts in a binder or folder), and that all product is tracked. For older girls, your job is to oversee their work as they learn to keep impeccable records. Be sure to attend product program orientation or training so you are aware of the systems and helpful tools available.
The Girl Scout Cookie Program and the fall product program can be exhilarating and busy times during the troop year, but you’re never alone in your efforts! You can reach out to your service unit product program manager when you’re feeling stuck, or you can build a product program team to provide the support your troop needs.
Product Program Safety
Safety is the top priority while selling Girl Scout Cookies and other products. Volunteers, families, and girls should be familiar with and practice the safety guidelines outlined in local program resources as well as those available in the troop leader resources section of girlscoutcookies.org and in Safety Activity Checkpoints.
Selling Cookies Online
Will your troop use the Digital Cookie® platform to manage its cookie business? Check the specific guidelines provided by each cookie vendor before participating. Before girls begin selling online, they should partner with their troop leader and families to learn how to safely run their business online.
A few more online safety practices to keep in mind:
The Girl Scout Cookie Program is a girl-led program; a Girl Scout should always lead online marketing and sales efforts, with the supervision of her parent or caregiver.
Girl Scouts engaging in online sales and marketing must review and apply the Digital Marketing Tips for Cookie Entrepreneurs and Their Families.
Girls, volunteers, and parents must review and adhere to the Girl Scout Internet Safety Pledge, the Digital Cookie Pledge, the Supplemental Safety Tips for Online Marketing, and Girl Scouts’ Safety Activity Checkpoints for Computer and Internet Use and Cookie and Product Sales (with the exception that they may share beyond friends and family).
Girl sales links should never be posted to resale sites (Craigslist, eBay, Facebook Marketplace, etc.).
- Girls must adhere to all terms and conditions on Digital Cookie and Smart Cookie platforms. For copies of the terms and conditions, please contact GSUSA, ABC, or M2 as needed.
- Girl Scouts of the USA reserves the right to remove or disable the link for any reason including violation of guidance, inventory fulfillment issues, safety issues, or if sales and marketing activity goes viral and otherwise creates unanticipated disruption.
- Please know separate online guidance exists for the Fall Product Program and Girl Scout Cookie Program. The rules for online promotion will be shared during each program’s training.
Additionally, families, girls, and volunteers should contact and collaborate with their councils and Girl Scouts of the USA in advance on any national news media opportunities tied to girls' online marketing and sales efforts.
The Buddy System
Remember to incorporate the buddy system at all times when Girl Scouts engage in Product Sales. Girl Scouts should not sell or deliver cookies alone.
Adults should provide supervision and guidance for all program levels, and must accompany Daisies, Brownies, and Juniors when they are selling, taking orders, and delivering products. Adults oversee Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors and must be aware of how, when, and where they are when selling products. In addition, an adult must be readily available to them when they are participating in product programs. This can be accomplished by an adult being present with them or by having an adult and Girl Scouts exchange telephone numbers.
Preparing for Your Girl Scout Cookie Booth
The Council Product Program department focuses on two annual programs- the fall MagNut (an acronym for magazines and nuts – but candy is included) Program and the spring Cookie Program. Proceeds earned from both programs can offset either all or a large part, of the cost of Girl Scout activities and relieve parents of this obligation, too!
Plan a Girl and Parent Meeting
After your Troop Fall Product Program or Cookie Program Chair completes their training, we recommend hosting a meeting with girls and parents to discuss the troop's goals and individual participation in either product program. What plans does the troop have for the year? What will it cost to accomplish those plans?
Sample Agenda
- Vote on Troop Goals/Activities (membership fees, books, uniforms, badges, bronze, and silver Take Action projects, camp, events, supplies, year-end celebrations, field trips)
- How much money is needed for the year?
- How much will the troop earn in proceeds from the MagNut and Cookie Program?
- How much can parents contribute?
- Ask for adult volunteers to help with different parts of the product program.
- Discuss money deadlines, reward deadlines, program dates, and guidelines for the program.
Once you’ve put a plan in place for year’s troop activities with the girls, share these goals with the parents; let them know how much money is needed in order to reach the girls' goals. Let them know how much the troop will earn if they participate in the program and ask the parents how they are willing to support and participate in either program? Having a plan in place will help your troop reach their goal and it’s one of the requirements for earning the financial literacy badges!
Troop Participation Requirements for Product Programs
The following are the requirements for troops to participate in either Product Program:
- Troops must be in good standing with the council.
- Each troop must have one troop chair for the Fall Product Program and two chairs for the Cookie Program and chairs must approve Girl Scout Volunteers
- Product Program Chairs must complete training for each program each year
- Sign and submit the Troop Chair Agreement and Troop ACH form when needed
- Submit a GSNMT Product Permission form for each girl participating in the program.
- Must be debt-free with council
PRODUCT PROGRAM FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS
TRANSACTIONS BETWEEN TROOP AND COUNCIL.
Troops are responsible for selling all products ordered. MagNut product is preordered through girl order cards and the girl online store. Cookies are ordered by the troop based on council recommendations, troop sales history, girl order cards, Digital Order Card, and booth sales. Council will issue receipts for all products delivered to troops.
TRANSACTIONS BETWEEN GIRL AND TROOP
All transactions between the girl/family need to be documented by receipt and both parties must sign and date the receipt. When you check out products to the girls make sure that you and a parent count, double-count, and triple-check the number of products in their order. When a troop collects money from a girl, the troop must issue a receipt and keep a signed copy. When a troop distributes a product to the girl/parent, the troop must issue a receipt and keep the signed original. Troops should retain all original receipts with families.
During the cookie sale, troops cannot check out more than $300 of product to anyone girl/family. Troops may choose to make an exception if you have a girl that is an experienced seller. A girl must turn in all collected money from her original pick-up before she is allowed to pick up any additional cookies.
MONEY TRANSACTIONS BETWEEN GIRL AND CUSTOMER
Girls can collect money from a customer upon delivery of the product. Cash and credit cards can be accepted as payment for any product. Checks can be accepted but should only be accepted by people you know. The council will not reimburse troops for insufficient funds checks or bank fees therefore it is up to each individual troop to decide whether or not to accept checks. To help troops retain the most proceeds possible we recommend troops use only the approved and provided Credit Card payment options. More information on these options will be provided in product program training.
TROOP ACH
The Council will debit money owed from the troop account for the money owed from the program through ACH payment (electronic payment). All participating troops must sign the ACH authorization form and submit it to the council before the program. New troops must provide a voided check or a form from their bank with electronic payment information showing their bank routing number and troop account number.
Council will notify the Troop Chairs via email before an ACH withdrawal will take place. The email will include the amount to be debited, the account to be withdrawn, and the date it will be withdrawn. Troops should set a deadline for parents to turn the money in to the troop. Keep in mind to give yourself time to deposit the money into your troop account and for deposits and checks to clear so that it is available the day before the scheduled ACH withdrawal.
OUTSTANDING BALANCES
If a caregiver who signed the girl’s Product Permission form fails to pay the troop for the products that were checked out to the girl by the troop deadline:
- Notify the council immediately as they will guide you through this process. In the meantime, speak to the parent and work with the parent to come to a solution.
- If the issue is unsold product, ask the other parents in the troop if they need or are willing to sell the extra product. The troop can then transfer the product to the other girl and the money owed transfers to the family that will sell the product.
- If you are not able to collect the money from the parent, then you will need to complete and submit an Outstanding Balance Form to the council. Submitting this form relieves the troop of financial responsibility for the product and places it on the individual parent (the one who signed the product permission form). Council will deduct the outstanding balance amount from the troop amount owed to the council and the council will work with the parent to collect the money owed. The troop will still receive their proceeds in full.
- All unpaid balances will be turned over to a collection agency once the council has made a good faith effort to collect the funds. In an effort to maintain the spirit of earning individual and troop rewards through participation, girls must have paid their cookie balance in full by the troop deadline (typically a few days before the ACH withdrawal). Failure to do so will result in forfeiting rewards. No exceptions.
MagNut Program (Fall)
The MagNut Program is a pre-order sale that is short and easy, allowing troops to earn start-up money at the beginning of the membership year. The sale is six weeks and is a combination of friends and family sales and an online storefront with the last 3 weeks being online only.
THE PRODUCT
Nuts and Chocolate
- Available to order from the girl order card or the online store
- Additional nut and chocolate items are available to order online
- Donation option available (donations sent to a Hometown Hero Organization)
Magazine Subscriptions
- Available to order online only
- Offering digital and in-person subscriptions as well as magazine gift cards.
GIRL REWARDS & TROOP PROCEEDS
- Girls earn individual rewards as listed on the girl order card based on their selections.
- Troops will earn 15% of their total online and in-person sales.
SAMPLE TIMELINE
Troop training happens in August and September. Girls collect orders for candy and nuts from late September through mid-October. The online sale is extended for three more weeks and normally ends in the first week of November. The product from door-to-door sales is delivered to the troops in mid-November and the money collected from those sales must be turned in to the troop a minimum of five days before the troop ACH. Girl rewards are sent to the troops in mid-December.
COOKIE SALE (Spring)
The cookie sale is approximately six weeks long and runs from mid-February through the end of March. Cookies are sold by girls going door-to-door, selling to friends and family, participating in public booth sales, and through their online store known as the Digital Order Card.
Service Unit Proceeds
Service Units will earn two cents for every box of cookies sold by girls in their Service Unit.
Girl Rewards & Troop Proceeds
Girls earn rewards as listed on the girl order card based on their selections. Troops earn 75 cents for every box of cookies that they sell.
- Program Credits: At specific levels, Program Credits are offered. A girl must choose either the themed reward OR the Program Credit. Program Credits are valid for one year- beginning May 1 of the year earned through April 30 of the following year and can be redeemed through council for program events, camp sessions, and service unit events. Program credits are cumulative, so a girl can select program credits for each level they are offered.
- Girl Experience Reward: Girl experiences are programs only eligible to those girls reaching those levels; they are offered to girls on specific, pre-determined dates so that girls eligible for the girl experience have the experience as a group. Girl rewards/ benefits must support the Girl Scout Leadership Experience (camp, travel, events, and similar). Travel & events related to GS programming are highly encouraged by GSUSA and fall within the IRS guidelines. However, if a girl cannot attend the set event date, she cannot and will not be reimbursed. Council Product Program staff create quality, mission-related girl experiences that girls can experience together.
SAMPLE TIMELINE
The Troop Cookie Chairs complete training in December and January on the self-paced, online gsLearn system. Additional virtual training will be available to help new chairs or those looking for help with their troop’s cookie program. In January, troops hold their planning meeting with girls and parents to determine their goals. This meeting will help decide the number of cookies for the troop’s initial order in late January. Girls can attend a local cookie rally to learn the five financial literacy skills and prepare them for the sale in January and February. Cookies from the initial order are delivered in mid-February. The first two weeks of the sale are for friends and family and door-to-door. Booth sales run the last four weeks of the sale and end in late March. Cookie money owed to the council for the sale will be withdrawn three times (twice in March and once in April). Girl rewards are sent to the troops in mid-May.
Preparing for your Girl Scout Cookie Booth
Cookie booths—that is, cookie pop-up sales in areas with lots of foot traffic—are a fun way for girls to connect with their community and practice their sales pitch with new customers. Booth locations must be approved by councils and facilitated within council jurisdiction, and participants must follow all council guidelines with regard to setting up, running, and taking down a booth.
Please check your local COVID-19 guidelines for any restrictions on booth locations and other safety considerations, or consider a virtual cookie booth or virtual cookie rally if it makes sense for your troop.
GSNMT will secure booth locations for large, national retailers like national grocery stores and retail stores. We ask that troops do not reach out to these locations. These booth options will be available through the booth selection process in early February. Troops may secure their own booth locations at local businesses, restaurants, places of worship, or schools if the business or organization approves the booth. All booths must be organized by the troop cookie chair and must be approved by GSNMT; no exceptions.
Create a great cookie booth experience for your girls by:
- Using your best judgment in setting up cookie booths in locations that will be open, accessible, and safe for all girls and potential customers.
- Choosing a high-traffic area—this could be your local supermarket, mall, or park—where you’ll maximize the number of visitors to your booth.
- Checking out your booth site ahead of the sale. Talk to business owners in the area so they’ll know what to expect. Find out what security measures are in place—these may include lights for dusk/early evening booths and whether a security camera watches the booth area—and where the nearest bathrooms are located.
- Respecting the surrounding businesses by making sure your booth isn’t blocking a store entrance or exit.
- Encouraging your Girl Scouts to unleash their creativity—and work on their advertising skills—to make colorful signs and booth decorations that potential customers can’t resist! Remind girls to be polite and to have their sales pitch ready for interested customers.
For troop booths keep in mind:
- A minimum of two approved volunteers and two Girl Scouts should be present at the booth at all times. With two or more volunteers, you’ll have adequate booth coverage if the girls need to be accompanied to the restroom.
- If your Daisies are still learning how to make correct change, help them handle money as needed. But remember that girls make all sales at the booth!
- Changing your cookie booth hours or location? Keep your customers in the loop and update your booth information in the eBudde system (don’t worry it will be explained in training) with the new details. All scheduled booths are available on the Cookie Finder Website.
- Certain locations may be inappropriate for younger Girl Scouts based on the standards of your local community, may negatively impact the cookie program experience for girls, and/or may negatively impact our brand in your community. For additional clarity, girls should not sell in or in front of establishments that they themselves cannot legally patronize. Booths may not be held in empty lots, sidewalks, or store parking lots.
- Additionally, with respect to marijuana dispensaries, we have been steadfastly combating the unauthorized uses of the Girl Scout trademark by the cannabis community, which has been marketing—without our authorization—certain cannabis products under our youth-appealing brand. We are continuing to aggressively fight these unauthorized uses of the Girl Scout brand and hope that our councils and volunteers will join Girl Scouts of the USA’s efforts by discouraging cookie booth locations at such locations.
For more tips to make your booth a success, check out our Cookie Booth Essentials. For additional information about setting up a booth and safety and security suggestions, consult your council guidelines.
If an incident does occur at a booth, we request you submit an Incident Report. Please make sure both your local membership staff member and the product program department are aware of the issue. Either department will follow up with you regarding the next steps.
Cookie Donation Programs
Cookies, Candy, and Nuts also help girls make a big impact in their community! Your council has established a product program donation program called Hometown Heroes where customers can purchase products that will be donated to an organization of your troop’s or service unit’s choosing. Product Program donations are not only a great talking point for girls to share with their customers—they’re also a thoughtful way to show girls how the product programs can help them give back.
With donations, remember that:
- All donation organizations must be one of the Hometown Heroes identified by the council.
- The donated product must stay within the council's jurisdiction unless being sent to troops overseas.
- Donated products cannot be resold and must be used in a responsible and ethical way.
- Donated products are used in a way that does not undermine the work of councils or jeopardize the integrity of the Girl Scout brand.
Handling Product Complaints
Girl Scout Cookies are well loved and for good reason—it has always been the practice of Girl Scout councils and the bakers to guarantee customer satisfaction with their delicious cookies. If a customer is not satisfied with the quality of their cookies for some reason, they can contact the baker via the phone number printed on the side of the cookie package. Troops should notify their council if they are aware of any customer dissatisfaction.
Recognizing Cookie Sellers in the Media
Focusing on entrepreneurial outcomes has always been the emphasis of the Girl Scout Cookie Program. The cookie program has never been about and does not focus on individual sales results.
- There are many impressive cookie entrepreneurs throughout the U.S., and the Girl Scout Movement will continue to recognize dynamic cookie entrepreneurs for various achievements tied to the Girl Scout Cookie Program and through their participation in Girl Scouts.
- Girl Scouts of the USA does not currently track the top seller(s) of Girl Scout Cookies on a national level and does not identify a specific Girl Scout as the number one or “record-breaking” national cookie seller.
- Girl Scout councils should not reference such individuals as “top sellers” in the media. Doing so detracts from the essence of the Girl Scout Cookie Program, which is based on offering members important experiences in entrepreneurship, business, and finance from an early age as well as providing Girl Scouts and local Girl Scout councils with the funds necessary to power amazing experiences and opportunities for Girl Scouts year-round.
- A Girl Scout’s or troop’s sales link should not be highlighted when speaking to the media. All calls to action should be directed to the Girl Scout Cookie Finder or a council’s own cookie finder/map and not a specific individual or troop.
- Volunteers, parents/caregivers, and Girl Scouts may not secure paid media to enhance a troop’s or individual’s positioning in the media.
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