Ways to Participate: Make it work for you!
The Girl Scout Cookie Program is the largest girl-led entrepreneurial program in the world! As you are just getting started, there are many ways for your troop to participate. Work with your troop to figure out how much you would like to do during your first year! See your options below and check your Cookie Book for more details.
Order card: A tried and true method
Girls can begin taking orders January 3, 2025. They can collect orders during the entire program! To help reach their goals and increase potential earnings, encourage girls to take orders during the entire Cookie Program. You’ll have caregivers sign receipts then each and every time you distribute cookies or collect funds. Learn more on page 5 of the Cookie Book.
What makes this easy? Girls work primarily with their family to collect orders — and you can order exactly what you sold!
Digital Cookie
With the help of their caregiver(s), girls can manage their online storefronts. Customers can opt to have their cookies shipped, donated, or delivered by a girl. Digital Cookie also allows you to accept credit cards for payments. Learn more on pages 8 & 9 of the Cookie Book.
What makes this easy? It’s a safe and secure way for girls to reach customers near and far — no need to travel. Even better, there’s no money to collect because orders are paid for online!
Cookie Booths
Set up outside of a local business with a cookie stand to greet customers. Girls work in a small group in shifts. You can sign up for a council-sponsored booth or contact your own local business. Learn more on pages 16-18 in the Cookie Book.
What makes this easy? You choose the dates, times, and locations that work for your troop, and you can do as many as you like. On average, a troop at a booth for 2 hours can sell almost 100 packages!
Dos and Don’ts
DO: Review your Cookie Book and attend trainings
The Cookie Book outlines the entire program for you, step-by-step! Attend in-person trainings or watch them virtually.
DON’T: Forget to check your email!
Smart Cookies emails will be sent out every week to help keep you on track throughout the program.
DO: Hold a Caregiver Meeting
This is your chance to get everyone on the same page. Set clear guidelines and expectations, and share all important deadlines.
DON’T: Be afraid to ask for help
The Cookie Program runs from January to March. Recruit helpers in your troop to do different tasks, like manage a cookie booth or make cookie cupboard pick ups.
DO: Stay organized
Grab a binder and put your Cookie Book and all important paperwork inside. Have a designated spot to store all signed receipts from each girl’s caregivers.
Cookie Program Checklist
Use this handy checklist as a quick guide to help you navigate and stay organized throughout the entire Girl Scout Cookie Program!
Sign troop cookie manager agreement at gswo.org/troopagreement. Watch the Cookies 101 webinar (register at gswo.org/cookieresources).
Connect with your service unit cookie coordinator for in-person training and all cookie materials.
Log into and become familiar with the Smart Cookies website. Hold a Caregiver Meeting so that all adults are informed.
Obtain signed receipts (provided with your materials) every time you hand cookies to or collect funds from caregivers. These receipts are caregivers’ agreement to the financial responsibility that comes with participating in the program.
Collect money from caregivers continuously throughout the program and deposit into your troop bank account.
Submit your troop’s initial order, sign up for cookie booths, transfer cookies to girls, and submit girl reward selections through Smart Cookies.
Ensure all cookie money is deposited into the troop bank account BEFORE the ACH withdrawal on April 3, 2025.
Pick up troop rewards and distribute them to your girls.
