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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!), Girl Scouts learn things that prepare them to take on the world. Plus, Girl Scout Cookie proceeds stay in your local community to power amazing year-round experiences that broaden Girl Scouts' worlds and spark their sense of wonder.
Five Essential Skills 
Girl Scouts as young as five develop five essential skills through the Girl Scout Cookie Program that will help them be successful today and throughout their lives:
- Goal Setting. Girl Scouts learn to create a plan to reach their goals.
- Decision Making. Girl Scouts learn to make decisions on their own and as a team.
- Money Management. Girl Scouts learn to create a budget and handle money.
- People Skills. Girl Scouts find their voice and up their confidence through customer interactions that build relationships.
- Business Ethics. Girl Scouts learn to act responsibly and honestly, both in business and in life.
But building their business know-how isn’t just tied to the cookies 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 entrepreneurs open shop, be sure to check out the cookie section of your council’s website and our helpful troop leader resources that will empower you to:
- Manage your troop’s funds.
- Learn how Girl Scouts participate in money earning activities.
- Discover how your troop can reach its financial goals.
- Plan activities to help Girl Scouts earn cookie pins and badges.
- Understand just how much your Girl Scouts are capable of 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.
Cookie Program proceeds make it possible for GSCO to serve girls. 100% of the cookie program proceeds stay in Colorado to provide the Girl Scout Leadership Experience to girls in our communities. Cookie program council proceeds provide membership financial assistance when needed and opportunity grants for girls to attend GSCO events, camps, and council-wide girl programs, as well as funding for events, camps and council-wide programs. The only portion that doesn’t stay in Colorado is what we pay to the bakery to make the cookies.
Troop members share in the proceeds from a successful product program; proceeds aren’t 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 the volunteer cookie resources section of our website for more information about individual rewards and troop proceeds locally.
Girl Scouts’ Blue Book of Basic Documents (“Owners of Assets”) specifies: “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.”
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 as “purposes of Girl Scouting”—for instance, using troop proceeds to purchase memberships 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 Girl Scouts 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 cookie section of our website to find the answers you need as well as local trainings 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.
Girl Scouts of Colorado works with M2 Media Groups and Trophy Nut. M2 provides online tools for girls and adults to use and activities for girls to download. Nut, candy and magazine purchases selection take place online and in-person. Visit the Fall Product Program page to see product information, program guides and additional resources.
Your Role
You play an exciting role in giving your Girl Scouts opportunities to practice the five essential skills as they learn how to think like entrepreneurs. Some of the things you’ll do include:
- Get Girl Scouts excited about the opportunities to support the troop (but allowing their participation to be voluntary).
- Support both competitive and apprehensive cookie bosses, helping all of them set meaningful goals for themselves.
- Fostering partnerships with each Girl Scout’s family to ensure cookie season success, whatever that may look like for the Girl Scout, will help you build a positive partnership with Girl Scouts and families. The Cookie Entrepreneur Family pin is designed to help families support their growth at home.
Not only can Girl Scouts sell individually, both in-person and using the online tools provided, they can also participate in group booth sales during the Cookie Program. Girl Scouts will always be able to sell cookies to members of their personal network, regardless of where they live. Your local council may have additional guidance and processes to 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 troop and let their entrepreneurial spirit soar. Learning by doing is exactly how your Girl Scouts 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), and that all product is tracked. For older Girl Scouts, your job is to oversee their work as they learn to keep impeccable records. Be sure to attend product program trainings 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 cookie program manager (SUCM) or the servie unit fallproduct manager (SUFPM) when you’re feeling stuck, or you can build a cookie team to provide the support your troop's needs.
Product Program Safety
Safety is the top priority while participating in the Girl Scout Cookie Program and FallProduct Programs. Volunteers, families, and Girl Scouts 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 girlscout.org and in Safety Activity Checkpoints.
Selling Cookies Online
Before Girl Scouts open their online storefront, they should partner with their troop leader and their families to learn how to safely run their online business.
We know Girl Scouts and their troops are creative, and the Girl Scout Cookie Program provides the perfect opportunity to highlight this creativity Troops and Girl Scouts cannot use GSUSA’s intellectual property (Buy Thin Mints Now or Buy Girl Scout Cookies) as part of a vanity URL..A few more online safety practices to keep in mind:
- The Girl Scout Cookie Program and Fall Product Program are girl-led programs; they should always lead online marketing and sales efforts, with the supervision of their caregiver.
- Girl Scouts engaging in online sales and marketing must review and apply the Digital Marketing Tips for Cookie Entrepreneurs and Their Families.
- Girl Scouts, volunteers and caregivers must review and adhere to the Girl Scout Internet Safety Pledge, the Digital Cookie Pledge, and Girl Scouts’ Safety Activity Checkpoints Product Programs.
- Posting individual or troop sales links to resale sites (Craigslist, eBay, Facebook Marketplace, etc.) is prohibited.
- Girl Scouts must adhere to all terms and conditions on the Digital Cookie platform.
- Girl Scouts of the USA reserves the right to remove or disable their 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.
Additionally, families, Girl Scouts, and volunteers should contact and collaborate with their council and GSUSA in advance of any national news media opportunities tied to their online marketing and sales efforts.
The Buddy System
Remember to incorporate the buddy system at all times when Girl Scouts engage in Product Programs. Girl Scouts should not sell or deliver cookies or other product 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.
Supervising Girl Scouts While Selling
Remember to always incorporate the buddy system 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’re selling, taking orders, and delivering products. Adults oversee Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors and must be aware of how, when, and where they’re selling products. In addition, an adult must be readily available to Girl Scouts when they’re participating in product programs. This can be accomplished by having an adult present with them or by having an adult and Girl Scouts exchange telephone numbers.
Preparing for Your Girl Scout Cookie Booth
Cookie booths—that is, cookie pop-up shops in areas with lots of foot traffic—are a fun way for Girl Scouts to connect with their community and practice their sales pitch with new customers. Booth locations must be approved by councils, facilitated within council jurisdiction, and participants must follow all council guidelines regarding setting up, running, and taking down a booth. Cookie Booths are only permitted within the state of Colorado.
Girl Scouts of Colorado offers Council Sponsored booth sites and GSCO encourages Girl Scouts to use their creative, entrepreneurial spirit by holding “My Sales” booth sites at unique community locations and area small businesses. Detailed information about both Council Sponsored and My Sales booths can be found in the cookie product program guides. You can also connect with your service unit cookie manager with questions, or contact GSCO customer care to speak with a product program specialist or email inquiry@gscolorado.org.
Create a great cookie booth experience for your Girl Scouts by:
- Using your best judgment in setting up cookie booths in locations that will be open, accessible, and safe for all members and potential customers.
- Choosing a high traffic area—this could be your local supermarket, mall, or park—where the maximum number of customers can visit the 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 evening sales and whether a security camera watches the booth area—and where the nearest bathrooms are located.
- Respecting the surrounding businesses by making sure the booth isn’t blocking a store entrance or exit.
Encourage 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 them to be polite and to have their sales pitch ready for interested customers.
And keep in mind:
- Adults must always be present for cookie booths in public places.
- For each troop cookie booth, a minimum of two adults (at least one of whom is a registered Girl Scout volunteer with the required background check), and one Girl Scout should be present at all times. With two or more volunteers, you’ll have adequate booth coverage if Girl Scouts need to be accompanied to the restroom.
- Individual Girl Scouts may have a booth with a parent/caregiver. This parent/caregiver does not need to be a registered volunteer.
- Daisies are still learning how to make correct change. Help them handle money as needed, but remember that Girl Scouts make all sales at the booth!
- Keep your customers in the loop and update eBudde if you need to cancel or are unable to attend a cookie booth. If not, customers could be routed to cancelled booths as all scheduled booths are available on GSUSA’s Find Cookie Now!
- Girl Scouts of Colorado allows troop leaders and families to determine the best location for My Sales booths. All My Sales sites are subject to approval and they will not be denied only on the fact they may be located near an adult-oriented business.
- Retail sales without Girl Scouts present are not approved by GSUSA. Councils, troops, and Girl Scouts may not sell cookies in a retail space where Girl Scouts cannot be present to market, manage inventory, collect, and process payments for cookies. Store employees and/or adults cannot sell cookies on behalf of a Girl Scout or troop.
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.
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Encourage your Girl Scouts to unleash their creativity—and work on their advertising skills—in making colorful signs and booth decorations that potential customers can’t resist! Remind them to be polite and to have their sales pitch ready for interested customers.
And keep in mind:
Booths where any Girl Scout is not accompanied by their own parent/caregiver require two registered, background-checked Girl Scout volunteers.
Cookie booths at which all members are under the direct supervision of their own parent/caregiver do not require adults to be registered, background-checked Girl Scout volunteers.
Best practice would be to have two adults present in case of accidents or necessary breaks.
Parents/caregivers are encouraged to register as volunteers to help support the full experience.
Certain locations may be inappropriate for younger Girl Scouts based on the standards of your community and could negatively impact the cookie program experience for Girl Scouts and/or negatively impact the Girl Scout brand in the community. For example, Girl Scouts should not sell cookies in or in front of establishments that they themselves cannot legally patronize.
Additionally, with respect to marijuana dispensaries, we have been steadfastly combating 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 continue 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 booths at such locations.
Retail sales without Girl Scouts present are not approved by GSUSA. Councils, troops, and Girl Scouts may not sell cookies in a retail space where Girl Scouts cannot be present to market and manage inventory and collect and process payment for cookies. Store employees and/or adults cannot sell cookies on behalf of a Girl Scout or troop.
Daisies are still learning how to make correct change. Help them handle money as needed, but remember that Girl Scouts make all sales at the booth!
Keep your customers in the loop and update your baker’s software system if you need to cancel or are unable to attend a cookie booth. If not, customers could be routed to cancelled booths as all scheduled booths are available on GSUSA’s Cookie Finder!
For more tips to make your booth a success, check out our Cookie Booth Essentials (Spanish version). For additional information about setting up a booth and safety and security suggestions, consult your council’s guidelines.
Contact your council for information on reporting any cookie sale-related incidents.
Do you have other concerns about booths, media, or safety? For emergency situations call 9-1-1 and notify council by calling the emergency hotline at 303-607-4818. For non emergency situations or to report an incident related to cookie sales, contact your volunteer support specialist, product program specialist or contact GSCO customer care at 877-404-5708 or email inquiry@gscolorado.org.
Cookie Donation Programs
Cookies also help Girl Scouts make a big impact in their community! Encourage your troop members to share about the Cookie Donation programs with customers. It’s a great way for customers to give back to their community, too! Encourage your troop members to share about the Cookie Donation program with customers. It’s a great way for customers to give back to their community, too!
With cookie donations, remember that:
- All cookie donation programs must be approved by your council.
- Donated cookies must stay within the council jurisdiction unless your council has the approval from other council jurisdictions.
- 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.
GSCO has two cookie donation programs – Hometown Heroes and Gifts of Caring - where customers can purchase cookies that will be donated to an organization or group by the troop or by GSCO. Cookie 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 cookies can help them give back. It gives girls an opportunity to learn about and practice philanthropy and community service through the Girl Scout Cookie Program.
With the Hometown Heroes (HTH) Program customers who do not want to buy cookies for themselves may want to purchase HTH packages to give to others while supporting Girl Scouts at the same time. Girls/troops choose a group or organization to receive these donated cookies. Recipients can be “heroes” in the community such as various nonprofit organizations, like food banks and shelters or they may be firefighters, police officers, or local military groups. Troops should contact the selected organizations or group to get their approval prior to collecting HTH cookie donations.
With the Gift of Caring donation option, customers can purchase virtual packages of cookies which GSCO will deliver to the military, both local and overseas, and to nonprofit organizations on behalf of Girl Scouts. Girls collect the money for these donated packages, but do not physically take possession of the cookies.
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. If a customer isn’t satisfied with the quality of their cookies for some reason, they can contact the baker at the phone number printed on the side of the cookie package. Troops should notify their council if they’re aware of any such 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 Scouts of Colorado recognizes the efforts of “Top Achievers” around the state but also highlights the experiences and accomplishments of all girls participating. The Girl Scout Cookie Program is based on offering girls important experiences in entrepreneurship, business, and finance from a young age as well as providing girls and local Girl Scout councils with the funds necessary to power amazing experiences and opportunities for Girl Scouts year-round. GSCO strives to support girls experiences and efforts in a variety of ways.
- 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.
© Copyright 2009–2026 Girl Scouts of the United States of America. All rights reserved. All information and material contained in Girl Scouts’ Volunteer Essentials guide (“Material”) is provided by Girl Scouts of the United States of America (GSUSA) and is intended to be educational material solely to be used by Girl Scout volunteers and council staff. Reproduction, distribution, compiling, or creating derivative works of any portion of the Material or any use other than noncommercial uses as permitted by copyright law is prohibited, unless explicit, prior authorization by GSUSA in writing was granted. GSUSA reserves its exclusive right in its sole discretion to alter, limit, or discontinue the Material at any time without notice.
