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.
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 act 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.
Participating benefits many council services, including girl
programs, camps, leadership training, community projects, facility
upkeep, and community awareness.
Note: Troops/groups that do not participate in the annual cookie and
fall product programs may not hold any other money-earning or
fundraising activities.
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 Square if they
have a device/site. Note: credit card fees may NOT be passed onto the customer.
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.
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, February 23.
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 or girl delivery and can
pay online with a credit card.
- Check out our cookie program
social media rules for more info on what can and cannot be shared
online!
When do we receive rewards?
- Participants in the program can pick up 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 when available.