2023 Cookie Program Family Guide

Your Important Role as a Family

Dear Girl Scout Families,

Our Girl Scouts succeed when families are involved! Whether you’re calculating how many cases will fit in your trunk, balancing towers of cookies in your dining room, or keeping spirits high (and fingers warm) at a cookie booth, you are a critical part of the Girl Scout Cookie Program.

Here’s how you can help your Girl Scout be successful:

• Help her participate online by registering for ABC Smart Cookies. You will receive a registration link through your email from noreply@abcsmartcookies.com starting on December 14, 2022.

• Help her set her goal in ABC Smart Cookies to earn her Goal Getter patch. (see page 10 for more information on patches!)

• Make sure your Girl Scout does not take orders prior to the program start date, January 19, 2023.

• Help her network with family and friends but let her do the “ask” so she can learn important business skills.

• Volunteer to participate at a cookie booth (GSEP adult membership and clearances are required).

• Turn over all the funds to the Troop Cookie Manager as soon as possible.

• Accept financial responsibility for all cookies and money received.

NOTE: Remember that cookies cannot be returned to the troop or council once signed for.

How Girls Sell Cookies

As a caregiver, you will receive an automated email from noreply@abcsmartcookies.com to register your Girl Scout in ABC Smart Cookies, the online cookie system used to manage the Cookie Program. After the registration is complete, your Girl Scout can start their journey of cookie entrepreneurship, setting up their profile, and setting their goals!

Order Card

The Troop Cookie Manager should give each troop member a Cookie Order Card that can be used to take orders from friends, family, and neighbors. Request cookies from your Troop Cookie Manager to fulfill the orders when you are ready. Be sure to collect the payment from the customer when the cookies are delivered!

ABC Smart Cookies

Girl Scouts can participate in the cookie program right through ABC Smart Cookies by downloading the app on a mobile phone or through the website, abcsmartcookies.com. Once registered into Smart Cookies, Girl Scouts will have access to share ordering links, take orders, take credit card payments, and monitor recognitions earned.

There are two types of orders that can be taken through Smart Cookies. Let’s break it down!

• Girl Delivery—this type of order is placed through the online ordering link shared by the girl to a customer and is fulfilled by you. When the customer places an order, an email is sent to the caregiver to approve or decline. Once approved, the order should be filled with cookies you have received from the Troop Cookie Manager. The order can be pre-paid with a credit card.

• Direct Ship—this type of order is also placed through ABC Smart Cookies but is fulfilled by the bakery. The order is placed using a credit card, including any shipping costs, then shipped right to the customer. This is perfect for out-of-town family and friends that want to support your Girl Scout! There is also the option to place an online donation!

Social Media Do’s and Don’ts

Social media sites are a great way to get the message out that you are participating in the Cookie Program! Girls and families are encouraged to post on their personal social media pages.

Girl Scouts may only advertise their individual cookie program and cookie social link on personal social media pages. Community, marketplace, business, neighborhood type sites are not permitted to promote individual girl sales. Sites with the direct purpose of selling items (such as marketplace, craigslist, yard sale type sites) are not permitted.

Girls who are 13 or older may use their own social media sites to advertise their cookie link. Girls under the age of 13 may use their parent/guardian’s social media to advertise cookies with adult supervision.

Girls should fill out GSUSA Online Safety Pledge at: www.girlscouts.org/help/internet_safety_pledge.asp.

Tips for Posting on social media:

• Girls should only use their first name and troop number when advertising on social media.

• Girls and parents should not publish their address or phone number.

• Parent/guardians may promote their Girl Scout’s cookie sales through social networking sites such as their personal Facebook feed, Instagram, or Twitter account; however, the Girl Scout must be the one to complete the sale.

How Girls Sell Cookies – Continued

Example social media post:

OK: My daughter Susie is selling Girl Scout Cookies this year to help pay for camp. If you are interested in supporting Susie, please leave a comment with the best time to reach you, and Susie will contact you.

OK: My daughter Susie is selling Girl Scout Cookies this year. Please stop by the ACME this weekend from 123PM to support her troop.

NOT OK: My daughter is selling Girl Scout Cookies. Leave a comment with your order.

Cookie Booths:

Troop Cookie Booth: Troops sell cookies directly to customers at booths, often in high-traffic areas such as grocery stores, malls, or sporting events. These booths will be arranged by the Troop Cookie Manager. Cookies sold at booths will be divided evenly among the Girl Scouts that participated. Every troop booth must follow GSEP adult ratio guidelines.

Family Cookie Booth: An individual family may run a booth, like a Troop Booth, with permission of the Troop Cookie Manager. Only one family is permitted to attend, and they must be accompanied by at least one adult family member.

Girls selling independently at their personal residence is not considered a booth and is permitted.

All booths held outside of GSEP boundaries are strictly prohibited.

IMPORTANT: Cookies may not be sold or resold on behalf of a Girl Scout. A Girl Scout must always be present when cookies are being sold at a business.

Donations: This is a great option for customers who do not want to buy cookies for themselves but want to help a Girl Scout meet their goals. Troops can also set up a donation box at their booths and then choose nonprofit organizations to donate their cookies. Recipients can be heroes in the community such as shelters, firefighters, police officers, teachers, etc.

Door-to-Door Safety

1. All girls must have an adult present when selling cookies door-to-door.

2. If possible, sell in the daytime or on a well-lit road at night.

3. Girls must Stay within their immediate neighborhood.

4. Wear your Girl Scout apparel to identify yourself as a Girl Scout.

5. If another Girl Scout lives in the same neighborhood, team up!

6. Never give cookies to a customer who has not paid.

7. Check out the For Cookies Sellers page of the GSEP.org website for resources to make selling cookies extra fun!

I would like to support Girl Scouts by ordering: When placing an order by email or phone, please provide your name, street address, city, phone number, email, and your cookie order so girls can capture your order. For in-person orders, girls will collect payment upon delivery of cookies.

would like to support Girl Scouts by ordering: When placing an order by email or phone, please provide your name, street address, city, phone number, email, and your cookie order so girls can capture your order. For in-person orders, girls will collect payment upon delivery of cookies.

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The Girl Scout Cookie Program is the largest girl-led business in the world and the only program in which girls as young as five years old can earn money to finance their own activities. In addition to learning important business skills, Girl Scouts can save for travel, fun troop activities, and give back to the community through service projects and cookie donations. Plus, each box of cookies sold helps keep Girl Scouting strong. The proceeds from every box sold in Eastern Pennsylvania stay in our region and help GSEP maintain our beautiful properties, provide financial aid, and keep program and camp costs affordable.

Through the Cookie Program, girls learn 5 essential skills they will use for a lifetime.

As she sets cookie sale goals and plans to reach them.

As she makes a budget, takes orders, and handles money.

How the Cookie Crumbles

As she decides how her team will spend the cookie money.

As she is honest and responsible every step of the way.

In 2022, Girl Scouts in Eastern Pennsylvania sold over 4 million boxes of cookies! Here is how that breaks down:

As she learns to talk and listen to all kinds of people while selling cookies.

Cookie Entrepreneur Recognition Plans

Troop Proceeds and Girl Recognitions

Through participation in the Girl Scout Cookie Program, troops earn monetary profit based on the Per Girl Average (PGA). The troop’s PGA is calculated by taking the number of girls selling divided by the number of packages the troop sells. Each troop can earn between 70 cents, up to $1.25 per package. Ask your Troop Cookie Manager how!

In addition, you can earn recognitions in appreciation for participating in the Girl Scout Cookie Program. Troops and girls can decide which plan they would like to work towards. Below is an explanation of the difference between the Proceed Plans and recognition options.

Option 1—Traditional Proceeds with Recognitions

The troops that select this plan will earn monetary profit while also opting for Girl Scouts to earn physical prizes or credits toward programming and travel.

Based on the Troop’s Per Girl Average, the troop will earn the following profit per package:

Recognitions

Girl Scouts in troops that select Option 1—Traditional Proceeds with Recognitions will have the option of the following two recognition plans. Please note, Smart Cookies will default to the Cumulative Prize Plan, unless otherwise selected by the Troop Cookie Manager.

Cumulative Prize Plan

This plan is open to all age levels and features themed items and includes free membership for the next Membership Year. These items are cumulative and are earned based on the number of packages sold by each individual Girl Scout.

Cookie Dough

This plan is offered to all age levels and is not cumulative. Girl Scouts must sell a minimum of 200 packages to qualify for this option. Credits cannot be combined, transferred, or redeemed for cash.

Cookie Dough can be redeemed for GSEP Summer Camp and Programs, Troop Trips, Membership, GSEP Shop, School Expenses, and more! Emails with the total number of credits earned will be sent to the caregiver email on file at the close of the cookie season. See the Recognition Flyer for the redemption calculations.

Credits earned during the 2023 Cookie Program must be redeemed by September 30, 2024 but can be used for future trips. Girl Scouts who opt for Cookie Dough will receive all patches, achievement bar, and special event celebrations for top sellers, but will not receive any other cumulative prizes, including free membership.

Option 2—Higher Proceed Plan without Recognitions

The troop must reach a Per Girl Average (PGA) of 300 packages or more to be eligible. Please note, the PGA will not be rounded up. Once eligible, the troop will earn $0.25 per package in addition to the traditional proceeds above. If this option is chosen, it applies to the entire troop and the girls participating in this troop will not receive any cumulative prizes, including free membership. Girls will receive patches, achievement bars, and any special celebrations for top sellers

Individual & Family Incentives

2023 Cookie Patches

Girls have lots of opportunities to earn patches by participating in the 2023 Cookie Program. Check out these patches!

Girls who collect 24+ packages of Virtual Cookie Share will earn this Cookie Share patch!

Girls who sell 250+ packages of cookies will earn this Super Seller Patch!

Girls who sell 36+ Direct Ship packages will earn this Online patch!

Girls who set their goal in ABC Smart Cookies by January 31 earn this Goal Getter patch!

Girls that sell 36+ Direct Ship packages will earn this Online patch! 65 Cookie Dough

Girls 85 Cookie Dough

*Some 100

who collect 24+ packages of Virtual Cookie Share will earn this Cookie Share patch! 200 Cookie Dough

prizes may differ from what is pictured

who set their goal in Smart Cookies by January 31st will automatically earn the Goal Getter patch! The top 3 Cookie Entrepreneurs for each Girl Scout level (Daisy, Brownie, Junior, Cadette, Senior, Ambassador) will be recognized at the GSEP Annal Meeting in May. The Top Entrepreneur for each level will receive a free week at camp during the summer of 2023.

Top 5 Overall Cookie Entrepreneurs will get to travel to Orlando, FL with us for the 2023 Girl Scout National Conference in July 2023! All expenses will be paid and will travel with GSEP staff/girl delegation.

Top 1000 Event - The top 1,000 sellers and a chaperone will be invited to a special event at Six Flags Great Adventure on June 17, 2023

Time to Celebrate the Top Entrepreneurs!

We love to celebrate our top achieving Cookie Entrepreneurs in these special ways:

500 Club

Every Girl Scout who individually sells 500 or more packages, regardless of the recognition plan they choose, will earn a special 500 Club shirt and patch. Girl Scouts must sell 500 packages to become part of the 500 Club. Troops will also receive a $25 bonus for each Girl Scout that reaches this level.

*There is no sibling benefit included for this level.

Cookie Boss Class of 2023

Every Girl Scout who sells 1,000 or more packages, regardless of the recognition plan they choose, will earn a Cookie Boss Patch and Cookie Boss branded item. Troops will receive $50 for each Girl Scout that reaches this level (not cumulative with the 500 Club troop bonus). See below for a special Sibling Benefit that is available for this level to include the whole family with your Cookie Program.

Sibling Benefit

Households with multiple Girl Scouts can work as a team to reach the Cookie Boss Level! All participating siblings will receive the Cookie Boss Patch and Cookie Boss branded item. Each sibling’s troop will also receive the Cookie Boss Troop Bonus of $50 per girl.

Households with 2 participating siblings

• Reach 1,500+ total packages sold as a team, and each will receive the Cookie Boss Class of 2023 patch and Cookie Boss branded item.

Households with 3 or more participating siblings

• Reach 1,700+ total packages sold as a team, and each will receive the Cookie Boss Class of 2023 patch and Cookie Boss branded item.

New For 2023

Top 1,000 Event: The top 1,000 sellers and a chaperone will be invited to a special event at Six Flags Great Adventure on June 17, 2023. This will be a celebration with rides, good food, and fun! Additional tickets will be available for families to purchase at our group rate. Parking is included!

Top 100 Event: On June 10, 2023, the top 100 sellers will be hosted for a special afternoon event on the Spirit of Philadelphia! This will be a two-hour cruise along the Delaware River with lunch, dancing, and more!

Top 5 Cookie Entrepreneurs: The overall top 5 highest sellers from the council will get to travel to Orlando, Florida with us for the 2023 Girl Scout National Conference in July 2023! All expenses will be paid, and the girls will travel with the GSEP staff/girl delegation.

Top Entrepreneurs for each Girl Scout Level (Daisy, Brownie, Junior, Cadette, Senior, Ambassador): The top 3 sellers from each grade level will be recognized at the GSEP Annual Meeting in May 2023. The top entrepreneur for each grade level will receive a free week at camp during the 2023 summer season.

Cookie Frequently Asked Qustions

How do I sign up for my Girl Scout for the Cookie Program?

All Girl Scouts registered for the 2022-2023 membership year are eligible to participate in the Cookie Program and will receive an email invitation from noreply@abcsmartcookies.com.

What if my Girl Scout’s troop does not have a Troop Cookie Manager?

You can volunteer! The Cookie Program does not have to be a one person’s job, multiple adults can share the position. Contact your Troop Leader or email memberservices@gsep.org with the subject “Troop Cookie Manager” to find out how you can help.

What if my daughter is a “Juliette” or Individually Registered Member?

Individually Registered Members or “Juliettes” who are not associated with a troop may sell cookies. Email us at memberservices@gsep.org, with the subject “Cookies” to get started.

Why do I have to be a registered member to help at a cookie booth?

Safety is a top priority for Girl Scouts. All adults who supervise girls or money must register and submit criminal background clearance documents to ensure the safety and well-being of our girl members. Additionally, as a registered member, you are covered under the Girl Scouts insurance policy.

How do I order and pick up cookies?

Contact your Troop Cookie Manager to discuss the troop’s process of ordering cookies. Request a receipt any time you are handing in money in exchange for cookies.

How are sales recorded?

All Direct Ship orders are automatically credited in ABC Smart Cookies. Girl Delivery, Order Card, and booth orders will be entered into ABC Smart Cookies by the Troop Cookie Manager.

Who do I give the money to?

The Troop Cookie Manager will instruct you on how to pay for the cookies you receive from troop inventory. Any credit card payments paid through ABC Smart Cookies will be automatically credited to the troop.

IMPORTANT: Be sure to get a receipt every time you turn in money.

Can I return cookies?

GSEP does not allow cookies to be returned by troops. Check with your Troop Cookie Manager about exchanging/transferring varieties with others in your troop or Service Unit. Parents and adult volunteers can also use social media to arrange swaps with other GSEP families.

Who sets the price of the cookies?

GSEP sets the sale price of cookies sold in our council. Cookie prices in Eastern Pennsylvania are $5/ package except for the Gluten Free Cookie which is $6/package. Cookie prices may not be adjusted.

What happens if

can’t pay for the cookies we have?

It’s important to keep in touch with your Troop Cookie Manager as to how much money is owed to the troop. Money should be given to the Troop Cookie Manager in a timely manner or cookies should be paid for by credit card through ABC Smart Cookies.

The misuse of Cookie Program money may result in legal proceedings, denial of registration for programs and events, denial of use of GSEP facilities, and/or release from a volunteer position, if applicable.

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Your Cookie Support Team

Your first stop for cookie support should be your Troop Cookie Manager: My Troop Cookie Manager:

visit gsep.org for Cookie Program dates and resources.

For general cookie questions, call 215-564-2030 or contact memberservices@gsep.org and be sure to include “COOKIES” in your subject line.

Don’t forget to follow us on social media @GirlScoutsEPenn.