2023 Cookie Family Guide

Make your program easy with Digital Cookie!

Check out the ways for your family to participate!

Set your goal and make a splash!

Complete the Caregiver Agreement

What is in a box of Girl Scout Cookies?

You will find more than sugar and chocolate inside a box of Girl Scout cookies! When a girl participates in the largest girl-led entrepreneurial program in the world, she is developing skills that will last her a lifetime and earning funds for her troop at the same time. Whether or not she wants to be a business leader one day, she will grow her confidence as she meets new people, creates her plan, and launches herself forward! This guide will help you support your Girl Scout as she takes the lead and gets creative in HER business.

Important Dates

January 6

Cookie order taking begins. No orders before this date.

January 27

Your troop cookie manager must submit your Girl Scout’s initial paper card orders. They may give you a date prior to this to turn in your order form.

January 28 - February 9

Welcome to the Goal Getter phase. Girls continue to participate by collecting orders in person or online. Additional packages sold through Digital Cookie during these dates will earn them a new and exciting rewards!

February 10 - 16

Your troop cookie manager will connect with you regarding the details of picking up your cookie orders. You will be asked to sign receipts whenever cookies or money exchange hands between caregivers and troop volunteers. Once you have your cookies, deliver them to customers right away.

Raspberry Rally

Crispy wafers covered in chocolaty coating with a

February 17 - March 19

Hello Cookies in Hand phase! Girls can participate in troop cookie booths, drive-thrus, host their own cookie stands, continue to share their digital storefront link, or walk around their neighborhood with cookies in tow. Talk with your troop cookie manager about using the Clover Go app so customers can conveniently pay with a credit card.

March 19

The official last day to participate in the Girl Scout Cookie Program. Money will need to be turned in to your troop cookie manager by their specified due date.

April/May

Rewards should begin shipping out to volunteer leaders in late April or early May. Once your troop cookie manager has rewards available, they will contact you to arrange pick-up.

Adventurefuls Brownie-inspired cookie with caramel and a hint of sea salt

Thin Mints Crispy wafers covered in chocolaty coating made with natural oil of peppermint

Samoas Crispy cookies coated in caramel, Do-si-dos$5 Crunchy oatmeal sandwich cookies with creamy peanut butter filling

Trefoils Traditional shortbread cookies that are delightfully simple and satisfying

Tagalongs Crispy cookies layered with peanut butter and covered

Lemon-Ups Crispy lemon cookies baked with Crunchy graham sandwich cookies with creamy chocolate and marshmallow filling

Toffee-tastic Rich, buttery cookies with sweet,

Bright Ideas abound!

Whether girls decide to setup shop digitally or in-person— or a combination or both! The possibilities for skill building are endless.

Goal Setting

Help her set Cookie Program goals, then create a plan to reach them. Being able to set and reach goals helps girls succeed in school, at work, and in life!

Decision Making

Girls decide where and when to sell cookies, how to market their business, and what to do with their earnings. Help her plan out how she'll participate this year. As girls get older, making big and small decisions is a key life skill!

Money Management

Girls develop a budget, take cookie orders, and handle customers' money. Practice tallying orders and making change. Learning this skill young gives girls a leg up as they grow older and can handle their money—from lunch money to their allowance and their future paycheck.

People Skills

Help your Girl Scout learn how to talk (and listen) to their customers, as well as how to work as a team with other girls. This encourages better performance with group projects, sports teams, on the playground, and later at work.

Business Ethics

Girls act honestly and responsibly during every step of the Cookie Program. Practice good customer service and entrepreneur skills. This matters because employers want to hire ethical employees and customers want a positive experience—and the world needs ethical, positive leaders!

Help her Support the Community!

Gift of Caring Cookie Donations

Participate in our Council Gift of Caring cookie donation program. Each year, customers can choose to donate their cookies instead of receiving them through the Gift of Caring program. Plus, girls who collect Council Gift of Caring donations can earn even more rewards! Check out the rewards panel on the back of the order card for more info. And, for an updated list of cookie donation partners, visit gswo.org/cookieresources.

How to Participate in Gift of Caring

Connect with your cookie customers and share about the cookie donation option.

On your order card, mark the “donation” column for that customer, collect the funds and turn in to your cookie manager.

Through Digital Cookie, customers can choose the Gift of Caring option when selecting their purchases. These cookies will not need to be picked up from your troop volunteer.

Girl

as she

new skills!

Set up your Account

On January 6, 2023 look for an email with your access link to set up your Girl Scout’s very own online storefront through Digital Cookie. If you cannot find the email, you can resend the email from the login page by clicking on the "Need Help" button at digitalcookie.girlscouts.org.

Create your Personalized Storefront

Personalize your customer’s online shopping experience with photos and a video message directly from you!

Update your customers on your goals and your troop's plans so they can help support your business.

Start Marketing

Time to get creative! Create cookie commercials, send emails, make door hangers with QR codes, and issue challenges to your customers. Digital Cookie allows you to share links and send emails to your customers. Sometimes customers need a reminder, so share updates often to maximize reach. See the Online Marketing Guidelines for safely sharing online.

Download the Digital Cookie App

4Now that you've set up your Digital Cookie account, download the free Digital Cookie app, so you easily manage orders, approve and deny or verify sales while on the go!

Customer Purchases

When a customer purchases they choose whether to pay for shipping, donate, or have your Girl Scout deliver. For Girl Delivery orders, you will need to approve the order. No matter their order, all purchases are paid online! If you need additional cookies to fill girl delivered orders, let your troop cookie manager know.

You can also decide when to turn off your girl delivery option for customers, leaving them the opportunity to order shipped cookies or donate without you needing to deliver.

Online Marketing Guidelines

The Girl Scout Cookie Program is a girl-led program. Online marketing and sales efforts should always be led by a girl under the supervision of her caregiver. Girls should never share their last names, addresses, or personal information when marketing their products online. For safety and equity amongst girls, personal Digital Cookie links should never be posted to online resale sites or public platforms, however troop links or booth promotions shared by the troop cookie manager are permitted. Neither GSWO nor other caregivers/volunteers have the authority to reprimand or remove posts shared on personal social pages.

Raspberry Rally

Caregivers will need to approve or deny orders for girl delivery. Check out gswo.org/cookieresources in December for more Digital Cookie tip sheets.

digitalcookie.girlscouts.org

Digital Cookie Customer Care: 855.530.4467

Introducing the first Girl Scout cookie to be exclusively offered for shipping only through Digital Cookie! When your Girl Scout shares her link, her cookie customers will have the opportunity to purchase this brand new cookie to be shipped to their doorstep! These thin, crispy cookies are a “sister” to the Thin Mint but have a bright pink, crunchy, raspberry center.

* Exclusive online shipped orders only!

Ways to Participate in the Girl Scout Cookie Program!

Get ready for your to make (cookie) boss moves this year! No matter how take part in the Girl Scout Cookie Program, 'll grow her people skills, learn to set goals, make smart decisions, and so much more. Talk with her about which options excited to explore this year!

Phone or Text Friends and Family

Is this your Girl Scout’s cookie business? Texting or phoning friends and family is a great way to help her feel comfortable connecting w ith cookie customers. And if your seasoned cookie boss’s free time is limited—hello, school, sports, and extracurriculars! this

Digital Cookie

Is your Girl Scout ready to take her digital marketing skills to the next level? With the Digital Cookie® platform, Girl Scouts can ship cookies straight to customers, accept orders for cookie donations, or have local customers schedule an inperson delivery. And she can reach her sales goals no matter what her schedule is like.

Door-to-door

Th the perfect way to hone her sales pitch! With door-todoor , Girl Scouts can stay local and sell in their neighborhoods—and use door hangers and business cards for customers who aren’t home They’ll also grow their people skills by meeting new neighbors (with the necessary adult supervision, of course).

Cookie Stands

Would your Girl Scout feel more comfortable on her ow n turf ? Cookie stands, similar to lemonade stands, are set up in front of a residence on private property where market her cookies to customers in the a great way to ease more introverted girls into connecting with their communities. This can be fun for the whole family!

Cookie Booths

This option has maximum customer interaction, teamwork, and all the fun! Troops work together to market their cookies outside a pre approved location (like a , bank, mall, or even a drive-thr booth in a parking lot) where they can practice their business skills with new customers.

Note: cookie booths must be coordinated by troop cookie managers; may only happen at approved locations; and must be legally open to, accessible, and safe for all girls and potential customers.)

Connecting w ith Her Community

The possibilities are endless! Gir team up with their caregivers to sell cookies to employees and coworkers, at places of worship, and at community groups. They could prepare a corporate pitch to sell cookies in bulk to car dealerships, real estate agents, or nancial institutions. When these budding entrepreneurs secure a large sale, they get a taste of sweet success!

Participating in the cookie program powers Girl Scouts’ adventures throughout the year as they learn key business skills to excel in future careers and in life. By participating in different sales methods, girls gain more skills, including: goal setting, decision making, money management, people skills, and business ethics. Don’t forget: adult superv ision is required at all times.

Money Matters

Where the Cookie Money Goes

It’s important to share with your cookie customers just where the funds from the Girl Scout Cookie Program go. You can confidently tell them that all proceeds stay 100% local, right here with girls in western Ohio and southeastern Indiana! What makes the Girl Scout Cookie Program unique is that the program not only teaches those valuable life skills, but it also provides a safe and fun outlet for them to practice those skills. Nearly 2,000 troops participated in the program last year, earning more than $2 million in troop proceeds. The remaining funds go right back to our programs, camps, and support of our troops, keeping Girl Scouts affordable for all girls within our council. With every package sold, you’re not only supporting your girl’s goals, but fueling adventure for every Girl Scout in our council!

For

How the Cookie Crumbles

Reward Highlights

2023 Rewards Look Book

Check out full images and details about all of the 2023 Cookie Rewards in our brand new Rewards Look Book.

Find the Rewards Look Book online!

Camp Cookie: Celebrate Your Sweet Success!

Girls who sell 800+ packages may choose to attend one of two celebrations at camp! Girls will participate in a full day of classic camp activities and traditions, lunch, get a sneak peek of next year's cookie rewards, and earn some sweet swag to take home!

Camp Whip Poor Will, Morrow, Ohio TBD

Camp Libbey, Defiance, Ohio TBD

Camp Cookie Registration Information

If your Girl Scout earns the Camp Cookie Event, the primary adult on her membership record will receive an email with event details and registration instructions roughly 2 weeks prior to the event. A caregiver must attend and you or the troop leader must register the girl for this event. All events scheduled during camp day are subject to change.

Digital Dough

Digital Dough is a council digital gift card that can be used to pay for shop items, service unit day camps, council sponsored programs, or next year's registration. This digital gift card number will be emailed to the primary caregiver of each Girl Scout choosing this option. This email will include instructions on how to redeem earned Digital Dough. Digital Dough will expire March 15, 2024.

Troop Event Bonus

Troops with two or more girls participating can qualify for troop rewards. Troops with a per girl average (PGA) of 275+ by the end of the program will earn troop event tickets! All qualifying troops will select one location either the Cincinnati Museum Center, Imagination Station in Toledo, or Armstrong Air & Space Museum in Wapakoneta. This is a troop event, so if your troop has earned this opportunity, connect with your leaders to discuss the option that is best for all girls.

Reward Donation Option: Ohio River Foundation

Girls earning rewards at levels with options also have the option to donate the value of there reward. If selecting to donate the value, those funds will be sent to the Ohio River Foundation to support the habitat restoration and conservation of native marine species.

gswo.org/ rewardslookbook

Set Your Goal and Make a Splash!

Keeping track of your goals is easy! Start by writing in your total Girl Scout Cookie™ package goal above the space that says 100%, and be sure to include your smaller goals along the way. (Ask a grown-up to help if you need it.) Celebrate by coloring the water as you move bright ahead.

Entrepreneurship Badges & Pins

My

Customers

Decision Maker Budget Builder

Manager

Daisy

Brownie Junior Cadette

Senior Ambassador

Permission Terms

I have signed the online caregiver cookie program agreement at gswo.org/ productagreement and confirmed that my troop cookie manager has received the confirmation via the email address I provided in the online form. I agree to the following:

• I will ensure that my Girl Scout has adult guidance at all times during the cookie program.

• My Girl Scout will not take cookie orders until January 6, 2023.

• I will not collect payment from a customer until the cookies are delivered.

• I will ask for a copy of the cookie receipt for pickup of any cookies and funds submitted, if not provided by the troop cookie manager.

• I will submit all funds received for payment of my Girl Scout's cookie sales to the troop cookie manager by their required deadlines.

• All cookies obtained for my Girl Scout's sales will be picked

• I understand that I cannot return cookies once they are ordered by my troop, and I agree to accept full financial responsibilities for all of the cookies that I order. If I am in need of assistance with selling the remaining cookies, I will contact the troop cookie manager in a timely manner.

• I understand that should any of my cookies or cookie money get lost, stolen, or damaged, I am still fully responsible for the funds.

• I understand that if I do not pay for the full amount of money due for cookies, I will be subject to legal prosecution and any fees incurred.

Caregiver Cookie Program Agreement

gswo.org/ productagreement

Money + Receipting Process

Money is collected when cookies are delivered, except for Digital Cookie orders, which are already paid by credit card at the time of the order.

Customers should make checks payable to GSWO Troop XXXXX (insert your troop number).

Talk with your troop cookie manager about using the Clover Go app to process credit card payments.

If using Clover Go, these funds should still not be collected until delivery of the ordered packages. Do not write one personal check to the troop for all your orders.

Do not keep large amounts of cash laying around. Make frequent visits to your troop cookie manager to give them money to take to the bank.

• Protect yourself! Every time that you pick up cookies from your troop cookie manager and/or give them money, get a receipt for your records. Do not take cookies from your troop cookie manager or give them money without receiving a signed receipt.

• Cookies cannot be returned or exchanged. Caregivers are financially responsible for all cookies ordered.

• You are responsible for lost or stolen funds/cookies or cookies damaged while in your possession.

• Any in-person donations made should be accounted for and the funds turned in to your cookie manager with your other payments.