Volunteer Cookie Resources
Welcome to the 2026 Girl Scout Cookie Program!
The 2026 Girl Scout Cookie Program for GSSWT runs from December 14 through March 11. Check out the page below for helpful forms, guides and videos to help support your Girl Scout’s and troop’s cookie program participation.
2026 Girl Scout Cookie Program Key Dates 
Cookie Program FAQs
Do all girls need to begin the cookie program on December 14?
Girls and troops can join the program at any time, as long as it is on or after the December 14 start date. Girls/troops may absolutely NOT sell cookies before December 14, and it is up to each troop/girl when to begin taking orders after that date.
When do we pick up our initial cookie order?
Initial cookie order pickups are Wednesday, January 28 through Saturday, January 31. Most troop’s pick-up Wednesday during the A.M. or P.M. slots at Ward North American as this site has the greatest number of slots available.
Note: You select your date/time/location when you submit the initial order on January 11.
What if I’m unable to make the initial cookie order pickup?
If you, or another adult, are unable to pick up the initial cookie order at the date and time you scheduled, you will need to pick up your initial cookie order at Ward North American on the make-up date included in eBudde emails about initial order deliveries.
Ward North American is located at 17275 Green Mountain Rd, San Antonio, TX 78247.
What if a parent/caregiver doesn’t pick up their initial order of cookies?
If a parent/caregiver does not pick up the cookies from the troop ordered on the initial order, use the cookies for the troop’s booth sales or to fill other girl’s orders. DO NOT hold onto the cookies and wait for the parent/caregiver to pick them up. If parent comes late to pick up cookies, you can get cookies from pickup sites (February 3-March 1), additional cookies can be picked up at reorder sites.
Where does the $5 per package of cookies go?
Are troops/groups required to participate in the cookie program?
Troops are not required to participate; however, all girls should be given the opportunity to participate in the cookie program. In addition, troops/groups that do not participate in the annual cookie and fall product programs may not hold any other money-earning or fundraising activities.
The Girl Scout Cookie Program is more than just cookies; it's an opportunity for girls to learn and develop essential life skills:
- Goal setting: Learn how to set goals and create a plan to achieve them
- Decision making: Learn to make decisions independently and as part of a team
- Money management: Learn how to manage money and create a budget
- People skills: Learn how to interact with customers and build confidence
- Business ethics: Learn how to behave ethically
Support of and participation in Girl Scouts—and the cookie program—gives girls the opportunity to be a Girl Scout and experience the Girl Scout Leadership Experience.
There are stumbling blocks on a girl’s path to entrepreneurship, including fear of failure, concerns about bringing big ideas to life, and the perception that men are more likely to be entrepreneurs than women. While entrepreneurship may not be right for every girl, every Girl Scout will benefit, and maybe even discover a future career path, by learning to think like an entrepreneur.
The Girl Scout Cookie Program also provides funding for Girl Scout activities and programs. All proceeds from the sale of Girl Scout Cookies stay with the local councils and troops. And participating in these programs benefits many council services, including girl programs, camps, leadership training, community projects, facility upkeep, and community awareness.
Is every girl required to participate?
Girl participation in the cookie program is voluntary. However most troops heavily rely on participation in the cookie program as a way to fundraise for the upcoming year’s activities, membership fees and troop supplies!
- Each girl and her parent/guardian should decide together the most appropriate level of participation for them.
- A cookie program permission slip is required to be completed by the parent/caregiver for a girl to participate.
When is money collected?
Money is collected from customers upon delivery of cookies. Do not accept money at the time the order is placed. If the customer orders online, they pay by credit card at the time of the purchase.
Are credit cards accepted?
Yes, customers can place orders on Digital Cookie for donation, girl-delivery, or direct shipped. Troops can also use the troop Digital Cookie to accept credit cards at booths or use Cheddar Up if they have a device/site. Note: Credit card fees may NOT be passed onto the customer AND MUST be paid by the troop.
What do I do if a parent does not turn in all money by the end of the program?
We strongly encourage TCMs to only allow parents to have a maximum balance of $500 at any time, and to request payment from the parent before providing any additional cookies. TCMs should keep their Girl Order tab updated in eBudde with all transactions and meaningful comments as a way to make sure they are keeping up-to-date with what each parent owes.
If a parent does not turn in money due by your final deadline to deposit into the bank, complete the Sweep Adjustment form including the Unpaid Funds section. This form will require you to submit receipts and a copy of the transactions entered for that Girl Scout in eBudde, as well as documentation of efforts to contact them.
Can cookies be returned? What about damaged cookies?
Cookies may not be returned to the troop/group, pickup site or the council. However, cookies can be transferred to another troop/group.
If cookies are damaged, bring them to the cookie warehouse at the Sally Cheever Girl Scout Leadership Center during business hours for an exchange of the same variety. Damaged cookies may only be exchanged through Sunday, March 1.
Can girls sell cookies online?
Yes! Digital Cookie allows girls to take orders online.
- Digital Cookie gives the girl the opportunity to send out emails to her contacts with the link to her “store.”
- Customers can choose direct shipping (with shipping fees) or girl delivery (free!) and can pay online with a credit card.
- Check out the cookie program social media rules for more info on what can and cannot be shared online!
When do we receive girl rewards?
- Participants in the program can pick up girl rewards earned from their Community Cookie Manager (CCM) in late April/early May.
- Cookie Credits will be emailed directly to girls/parents in late April/early May.
- If earned, Fall/Cookie Crossover Personalized patches are mailed directly from M2 Media to the girl’s parent/guardian.
- Super Sister patches are ordered by the council and will be distributed to CCMs as soon as they arrive.
- Community Top Seller T-Shirts will be sent directly to the girls who earned them.
Get Your Cookie Program Started
2026 Girl Scout Cookie Program Incentives
Additional Incentive
Superstar Opt-out
Parents/Caregivers
Troop Cookie Managers (TCMs)
Community Cookie Managers (CCMs)
Login Help
Girls & Adults
TCMs
Just-in-time Webinars
Learning Opportunities
Other Resources
Cookie Booths 101
Social Media Guidelines
All About Proceeds
All troops will receive $0.75 proceeds for each package sold.
To calculate troop proceeds:
Multiply packages sold by $0.75 = # packages x $0.75
Find your troop proceeds in eBudde on your troop’s “Sales Report”
Note: Troops without a bank account are still able to participate in the cookie program if they submit an Agreement to Deposit form (email customercare@girlscouts-swtx.org to request a link to the form), however troop proceeds will not be listed until the end of the program and your bank account is in compliance with the Finance department.
Junior, Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador Reward Opt-out
Troop Bank Account Sweeps
Cookie Donation Program: Gift of Caring
Individually Registered Girl Participation
Individually Registered Girl Fund Usage
Girls participating in the Girl Scout Cookie Program earn proceeds based on program criteria. Girls can utilize these funds for Girl Scout programs, events, and activities throughout the year. Funds are not allocated directly to individual girls based on their sales due to the IRS Tax Exemption requirements stating that no individual can receive a personal benefit from a fundraiser held by an organization with a non-profit status.
All IRG proceeds will be pooled at the council and tracked by the Product Program Department.
IRG Funds Usage
Apply for IRG Funds
Note on Girl Scout Shop Purchases
Note on Reimbursements
Availability of IRG Funds
Cookie Credits
Tools from Little Brownie Bakers
These resources will help you support Girl Scouts as they run their veryown cookie businesses and gain skills essential for success.
FIND RESOURCES
Resources from Girl Scouts of the USA
Find handouts, posters, videos, and other materials to help you have funand stay safe as you build your cookie business.
FIND RESOURCES
Volunteer Essentials
Designed for busy troop volunteers: Get started on your Girl Scout journey or find answers throughout the troop year.
LEARN MORE
