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2026 Cookie Program has completed. Thank you for supporting our Cookie Bosses!
Key Dates Calendar
- January 6: Digital Cookie troop links open
- January 14: Initial Order taking begins | Digital Cookie Platform opens
- February 20: ACH Authorization due | Families enter paper order card orders via Digital Cookie
- February 22: Deadline for troops to enter in their troop's Initial Order and submit Initial Order rewards
- February 20 - 22: National Girl Scout Cookie Weekend
- March 5: Time slots open in eBudde for troops to select their cookie pick up time for March 14
- March 14: Cookie Deliver Day | Booth Sales Begin
- April 3: First ACH Payment initiated
- April 19: Last day for "girl delivery" option in Digital Cookie
- April 24: Submit TOP Troop form and finalize eBudde entries, including assigning packages and selecting rewards via eBudde by 11:59 p.m.
- NEW EXTENDED DATE - April 30: Cookie Season closes READ THE NEW FAQ HERE
- May 1: Final ACH payment initiated
- Late June/early July: Rewards shipped to service unit cookie managers
Cookie Bosses who participate in one or more challenges will automaticcally be entered to receive the grand reward, which includes one of each of the challenge rewards!
Click here to download the full challenge flyer and share with your troops!
Cookie Boss Challenge 2026 Submission Jotform HERE
Challenge #1: Wed 2/11–Tue 2/17 
Congratulations to the recipients of Cookie Boss Challenge #1:
- Haley D
- Maeve M
- Alexandra D
- Zoe T
| Challenge | Dates | Weekly Theme | Cookie Boss Skills | Cookie Boss Action |
| Challenge #1 | 2/11–2/17 | Girl Scouts Love Their Heroes | Use your cookie business to give back to military, veterans, and local heroes through Cookies for Heroes. | From January 14 through February 17 at 11:59pm, sell 8+ packages for Cookies for Heroes through Digital Cookie and be automatically entered for a chance to receive 1 of 4 Woobles Heart Kits. |
Challenge #2: Wed 2/18-Tue 2/24
| Challenge | Dates | Weekly Theme | Cookie Boss Skills | Cookie Boss Action |
| Challenge #2 | 2/18–2/24 | National Girl Scout Cookie Weekend | Celebrate National Girl Scout Cookie Weekend by sharing your troop’s goals and how cookie proceeds will be used. | Post on social media what you/your troop is planning to do with your Cookie Program funds - be sure to tag @GSOFCT and use #CookieBossChallenge2026 in the post and direct message GSOFCT your Girl Scout's name and troop information. The first 250 messages we receive will earn a special National Girl Scout Cookie Weekend patch. |
Challenge #3: Wed 2/25-Tue 3/3
Congratulations to the recipients of Cookie Boss Challenge #3!
Maddie S. Cadette from Avon
Maddie T. Brownie from Norwalk
Juliette D. Junior from Milford West Haven
Sinai A. Daisy from Monroe
| Challenge | Dates | Weekly Theme | Cookie Boss Skills | Cookie Boss Action |
| Challenge #3 | 2/25–3/3 | Digital Cookie Customers | Grow your business by reaching new customers online with Digital Cookie. | Add 2+ new Digital Cookie customers between February 25- March 3 at 11:59pm and be automatically entered for a chance to receive 1 of 4 Amusable JellyCats. |
Challenge #4: Wed 3/4-Tue 3/10
Congratulations to the recipients of Cookie Boss Challenge #4!
Madison M. Brownie from Arrigoni SU
Jacqueline S. Ambassador from Monroe SU
Isabella G. Daisy from Stamford SU
Clara S. Brownie from West Hartford SU
| Challenge | Dates | Weekly Theme | Cookie Boss Skills | Cookie Boss Action |
| Challenge #4 | 3/4–3/10 | Digital Cookie Sales | Increase your online sales and practice digital entrepreneurship skills. | Sell 10+ packages via Digital Cookie from March 3 to March 10 at 11:59pm and be automatically entered for a chance to receive 1 of 4 Cozy Cookie Sets. Cozy Cookie sets include slippers and a pillow. |
Challenge #5: Wed 3/11-Tue 3/17
Congratulations to the recipients of Cookie Boss Challenge #5!
Stella B. Daisy from Greater Lyme SU
Maddy M. Cadette from Trumbull SU
Juliet P. Brownie from Wallingford SU
Isla S. Cadette from Greater Lyme SU
| Challenge | Dates | Weekly Theme | Cookie Boss Skills | Cookie Boss Action |
| Challenge #5 | 3/11–3/17 | Girl Scout Week (Carry the Torch) | Honor Juliette Gordon Low and the Girl Scout mission by showing how you are carrying her legacy forward through courage, confidence, and character. | Share one way you are “carrying the torch” this cookie season (helping others, leading, serving your community, or running your business with confidence). By March 17 at 11:59pm, submit a photo, short video, or reflection for a chance to receive 1 of 4 legacy patches and a GSOFCT sweatshirt. |
Challenge #6: Wed 3/18-Tue 3/24
Congratulations to the recipients of Cookie Boss Challenge #6!
Salmon Brook | Junior Troop 66050
Greater Lyme | Daisy Troop 63069
Amity New Haven | Senior Troop 60323
Southington | Multi-level Troop 66538
| Challenge | Dates | Weekly Theme | Cookie Boss Skills | Cookie Boss Action |
| Challenge #6 | 3/18–3/24 | Creative Booth Ideas | Make your booth stand out with creativity and fun. | Share your new booth theme, decorations, or display ideas by March 24 at 11:59pm for a chance to receive 1 of 4 ice cream party experiences for your troop. |
Challenge #7: Wed 3/25-Tue 3/31
Congratulations to the recipients of Cookie Boss Challenge #7!
Elle G. Brownie from Amity New Haven
Abigail L. Cadette from Brookfield
Jessie K. Junior from Amity New Haven
Lleana H. Brownie from Avon
| Challenge | Dates | Weekly Theme | Cookie Boss Skills | Cookie Boss Action |
| Challenge #7 | 3/25–3/31 | Flex Your Entrepreneurship Skills | Practice pitching your cookie business to new audiences. | Pitch cookies to a local business or organization and show us your entrepreneurial spirit by March 31 at 11:59pm to be entered for a chance to receive 1 of 4 GSUSA cookie-themed backpack purses and an Exploremore patch. |
Challenge #8: Wed 4/1-Tue 4/7
Congratulations to the recipients of Cookie Boss Challenge #8!
Skylar K. | Cadette | Tri-Town Troop 60500
Savannah P. | Brownie | Somers Troop 65074
Naomi J. | Daisy | Rocky Hill Troop 10250
Hannah E. | Brownie | West Hartford Troop 10445
| Challenge | Dates | Weekly Theme | Cookie Boss Skills | Cookie Boss Action |
| Challenge #8 | 4/1–4/7 | Girl Scouts Love Their Heroes (Round 2) | Continue giving back by supporting heroes through Cookies for Heroes. | From January 14 through April 7 at 11:59pm sell 15+ packages for Cookies for Heroes through Digital Cookie and be entered for a chance to receive 1 of 4 customized Supermix hat or pencil case. |
Challenge #9: Wed 4/8-Tue 4/14
Congratulations to the recipients of Cookie Boss Challenge #9!
Brayleigh T. | Daisy | West Hartford
Talia N | Cadette | Greenwich
Tabitha K. | Brownie | Avon
Zainab K. | Brownie | Hartford/Bloomfield
| Challenge | Dates | Weekly Theme | Cookie Boss Skills | Cookie Boss Action |
| Challenge #9 | 4/8–4/14 | Explore More Sales Push | Highlight the impact of the Exploremore cookie and boost sales. | Sell 3+ packages of Exploremores through Digital Cookie from April 8 through April 14 at 11:59pm and be entered for a chance to receive 1 of 4 LEGO sets. |
Challenge #10: Wed 4/15-Tue 4/21
Congratulations to the recipients of Cookie Boss Challenge #10!
Jessie K. | Junior | Amity New Haven
Ember A. | Brownie | High Rock
Valia S. | Junior | Wolcott
Madelyn C. | Brownie | Newtown
| Challenge | Dates | Weekly Theme | Cookie Boss Skills | Cookie Boss Action |
| Challenge #10 | 4/15–4/21 | Explore More Stories | Celebrate creativity and resilience by sharing how you explored new ways to reach customers this season. | Submit a short video or story by April 21 at 11:59pm showing us how you reached new customers this year versus last year (flyers, door-to-door, social media, business pitches, etc.) and be entered for a chance to receive 1 of 4 Kodak Mini Keychain Cameras. |
5 skills earned through the Cookie Program
The cookie program uses a “learn by earning” approach, empowering Girl Scouts to become their own cookie bosses by creating their own goals and determining how they will reach them.
Now Available: The 2026 GSOFCT Virtual Cookie Rally!
Click here to complete the 2026 Virtual Rally Patch Order Form
Volunteer Cookie Season Checklist
Use this handy checklist to help you keep the troop on track with the 2026 cookie program.
Check your inbox weekly for The Cookie Recipe emails with critical dates and deadlines throughout the cookie program!
Before Cookie Program Begins
- Troop cookie volunteer registers for Girl Scout membership year and completes the volunteer application process, which includes a background check
- Co-leader ensures every Girl Scout is registered, has submitted a signed Annual Consent form, and has opted into email communications from council
- Troop cookie volunteer attends service unit’s troop cookie volunteer training or views recorded training on gsofct.org or gsLearn
- Troop cookie volunteer holds a meeting with Girl Scouts and their parents/caregivers to explain the cookie program and set goals. Arrange to distribute materials
- Check with families to ensure they received the Digital Cookie registration email sent to troop cookie volunteers and parents/caregivers of registered Girl Scouts in mid-January
- Encourage Girl Scouts to watch the recorded Cookie Rally or watch it as a troop
Cookie Program Initial Order Taking Time | January 14 − February 20
- Ensure that Girl Scouts are ready for the start of the Cookie Program on January 14
- Check with families to ensure they have access to the Digital Cookie platform
- Check in with girls and families to offer assistance/support throughout the Initial Order taking period
- Work with the service unit to set up the troop’s booth sale(s)
- Confirm that the troop has submitted the ACH authorization form. Deadline to complete this is February 20, 2026, if not previously submitted for this membership year
- Encourage Girl Scouts to complete their Initial Order taking by February 20, 2026
- Remind families to enter paper order card orders via the Girl Scout’s Digital Cookie platform by the deadline of February 20, 2026
- Complete entry of troop’s Initial Order and submit Initial Order rewards in eBudde before deadline of February 22, 2026, at 11:59 PM.
NOTE: Girl delivery orders will continue to flow into eBudde from the Digital Cookie platform until the troop submits its Initial Order.
Goal Getter and Booth Period | March 14 − April 19
- Encourage girls to continue marketing their cookie business in March and April. Troops can use inventory from their initial order to fill any additional orders, or they can pick up cookies from a cookie cupboard beginning in mid-March
- Pro Tip: Troops whose Girl Scouts continue with the cookie program BEYOND the Initial Order rarely have unsold cookie inventory when the program ends
- Check in with girls and families to offer assistance/support
- Work with the service unit to finalize the troop’s booth sale(s)
- Select your troop’s cookie delivery day time in eBudde – available starting March 5, 2026. Your service unit’s pickup window and location will be in eBudde on the Delivery tab
- Get ready for Cookie Delivery Day! Secure your drivers and counters and make a plan for when and where troop families will pick up their cookie orders
- Pick up your troop’s cookie order on March 14, 2026
- Distribute cookies to Girl Scouts/families. Be sure to obtain a parent/ caregiver/adult signature when cookies are picked up. Remind Girl Scouts to deliver cookie orders to customers as soon as possible
- Check-in with troop members and encourage Girl Scouts to continue to work toward their goals, offering assistance and ideas as needed
- Fill orders that came in AFTER the Initial Order Taking period with extra cookie inventory from the Initial Order or with cookies picked up from a cookie cupboard (see pages 34-35 for cookie cupboard information).
- Hold your troop’s booth sale(s). Booths can be held from March 14- April 19. Promptly deposit booth sale money into the troop’s bank account.
- Remind Girl Scouts that the girl delivery option on Digital Cookie is available through out the program
- Collect money due for cookies sold in person. Fill out a receipt for any payments received. A customer pays with a credit card for cookies sold via Digital Cookie, so no money needs to be collected by the Girl Scout/family for these orders
- Ensure that funds are available in the troop account for the first ACH payment on April 3, 2026
- Remind Girl Scouts and families that April 19 is the last day for customers to place shipped orders via Digital Cookie
- Assign packages sold after the Initial Order to Girl Scouts in eBudde! The troop cookie volunteer will need to do this for ALL packages, including booth sale cookies, that are sold after the Initial Order Taking period. Deadline April 24, 2026
- Submit final rewards via eBudde by 11:59 p.m. on April 24
- Submit TOP Troop Reward form if troop is eligible. Deadline April 24
- Check eBudde for final amount due council on May 1, 2026. Ensure funds are available in troop accoun
- Celebrate the successful cookie season with Girl Scouts and their families!
- End of May: Cookie Credits and TOP Troop Reward certificates mailed to co-leader/troop cookie volunteer
- Late June/early July: Rewards will be shipped to the service unit cookie manager. Look for communication from them regarding picking up the troop’s rewards.
Cookie Program Volunteer Guide
Troop Cookie Manager Training Video
Volunteer Cookie Chat Calendar, Links, & Recordings
Volunteer Cookie Chats Calendar & Links
Topic: Wrapping Up The Cookie Program: CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE RECORDING
Volunteer Cookie Chat Recordings
Topic: Digital Cookie 2026 | CLICK HERE TO VIEW RECORDING
Topic: Steps to take in submitting your Troops Initial Order | CLICK HERE TO VIEW RECORDING
How & Where to Sell
Connecting with Customers
Many people would love to buy Girl Scout Cookies, but they have not been asked! Encourage Girl Scouts and families to consider new ways to connect with customers in addition to their tried-and-true methods.
TOP TIP: Making the "Ask" is an invitation!
Always ask people if they would like to purchase cookies. Being asked is how people become cookie customers!
Important Note: Girl Scouts and parents/caregivers must review the Digital Marketing Tips for Cookie Entrepreneurs and Families and Supplemental Safety Tips for Online Marketing before using social media to promote a Girl Scout’s cookie program.
Friends & Famliy
Friends and family are frequently Girl Scouts’ first cookie customers because they are the people Girl Scouts know best! Younger Girl Scouts can find it helpful to practice their sales pitch to people with whom they are most comfortable.
- Visit friends and family in person or reach out by email, text, or phone. Use the Digital Cookie platform to send marketing emails.
- Girl Scouts 13 years and older can use their social media to let people know they are participating in the cookie program. Girl Scouts 12 and younger can use their parents, guardians, or trusted adult’s social media account.
- Strategize ways to find customers beyond friends and family by developing a marketing plan and brainstorming all the communities the Girl Scout and her family belong to.
Door-to-Door in the Neighborhood
- Girl Scouts can take orders on their order cards throughout the initial order period and return to deliver the cookies when they arrive in March. Remember: Cookies are paid for when they are delivered.
- Girl Scouts can leave a flyer or door hanger at familiar homes letting neighbors know they are selling Girl Scout Cookies. The marketing piece can include a QR code that will take the customer directly to the Girl Scout’s Digital Cookie storefront. The piece can also provide an adult’s phone number and an adult-monitored email address so the Girl Scout can be contacted to place an order. Girl Scouts can also email neighbors a link to their Digital Cookie site using an adult-monitored email address.
- Another idea: Conduct a walkabout with cookies in hand or take orders using the Goal Getter order card in March and April so neighbors can buy cookies.
Parent/Caregiver/Family Friend Co-workers & Colleagues
- Parent/caregiver/family friend workplaces may allow a girl (in person or virtually) to ask individuals to buy cookies.
- A workplace might allow the adult to forward a picture of the order card with cookie variety descriptions and a note with the Girl Scout’s first name and cookie goal.
- If a Girl Scout is marketing her cookie program at a place of business, an adult may be responsible for the order card. But Girl Scouts should take responsibility for f illing orders, writing thank-you notes, and, if possible, delivering cookies.
Booth Sales | March 14th - April 19th
Click HERE to explore all the information for Booth Sales
More Tips for Reaching Customers
- Let customers know about the Cookies for Heroes Program. Customers can purchase cookies to be donated to activeduty service members, veterans, and local heroes (see page 24 for more information).
- Keep the order card handy or download the Digital Cookie app so girls won’t miss a cookie sale opportunity.
- Visit local businesses to ask employees/ owners if they would like to order cookies as gifts for loyal customers or thank-you gifts for employees.
- Other prospective customers include school and extracurricular teachers, coaches, social workers, and members of a family’s house of worship.
eBudde Resources
eBudde is the software developed by our Council’s licensed baker, Little Brownie Bakers, to manage the cookie program. eBudde is used to manage girl orders, payments, rewards, and more! Volunteers manage the entire Cookie Program from the eBudde website or eBudde app.
Volunteers that previously used eBudde as a GSOFCT troop co-leader or troop cookie manager, can use the same login credentials as last year, assuming you still have the troop co-leader or troop cookie manager role.
Digital Cookie Resources
Digital Cookie
The Digital Cookie platform is a powerful marketing tool that Girl Scouts use to reach out to customers. Digital Cookie enables Girl Scout to personalize their own site to sell cookies online by inviting friends and family via email and social media. Customers have the option of having their cookies delivered in-person by the Girl Scout or having them shipped directly to their home! Customers can also donate towards our Gift of Caring program, Cookies for Heroes. Parents/Caregivers are responsible for managing the orders that come in through their Girl Scout’s Digital Cookie site.
Digital Cookie Resources
Digital Cookie Tip Sheets and Video Index
Marketing Resources
Marketing Resources
- Cookie Business Card
- Cookie Flyer
- $500 Sweepstakes Flyer
- Personalized QR Code Cookie Flyer
- Cookie Gift Tags
- Cookie Thank You Tags
- Door Hanger
- Exploremores Table Tent
- Table Tent
- Girl Scout Giphy channel
- Cookie Booth Reminder Social Media Tile
- Find Girl Scout Cookies Social Media Tile
- "Cookies Sold Here" Box Stickers with QR code
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For more social media tiles, clip art, and printable resources to help you with your cookie program, click here.
Safety
The safety of Girl Scouts is our priority throughout the Girl Scout Cookie Program. Please visit gsofct.org (Cookies+ tab) for additional cookie program safety information. All Girl Scouts and families should know the safety guidelines to ensure a successful cookie program.
Note: Troop volunteers/Girl Scouts/families should be aware of and abide by any state and local public health guidance.
Before the Cookie Program begins:
- All Girl Scouts must be registered and have a signed Annual Consent form on file with a co-leader before participating in the cookie program.
- Educate Girl Scouts and parents/caregivers about cookie program safety, ensuring they understand and are aware of safety measures.
- The Digital Cookie platform is the only approved online sales tool for Girl Scouts to sell cookies. Girl Scouts cannot set up third-party sites where cookies are marketed or sold, i.e., Facebook Marketplace, eBay, Craigslist, etc.
- Review the Safety Activity Checkpoints for Computer/Online Activities AND Cookie and Product Sales for complete safety guidelines (gsofct.org>Members>Volunteers>Forms and Documents> Volunteer Essentials/Safety Activity Checkpoints).
- Review the GSUSA Internet Safety pledge before using the internet to promote a Girl Scout’s cookie program.
- Girl Scouts and families must review and abide by GSUSA’s Supplemental Safety Tips for Online Marketing before using social media to promote a Girl Scout’s cookie program.
During the Cookie Program:
- An adult must accompany Daisies, Brownies, and Juniors when they sell, take orders, or deliver cookies in person
- Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors may use the buddy system and pair up with another Girl Scout. However, adults must be available while Girl Scouts engage in cookie program activities.
- Adults should supervise Girl Scouts when participating in any online activity related to the cookie program.
- Girl Scouts 12 and younger can use the social media accounts of parents/caregivers/trusted adults to promote their cookie program. Girl Scouts 13 years and older can use their social media accounts.
- Girl Scouts should only share their first names, troop/group number, or council name when selling online.
- If providing an email address, a Girl Scout should use either a group account monitored by an adult, or an email account owned by an adult.
- Never reveal a Girl Scout’s email or street address when online.
- Girl Scouts should wear a membership pin, uniform, or Girl Scout clothing when selling, taking orders, or delivering cookies.
- Only go door-to-door during daylight hours and in familiar neighborhoods.
- Do not enter the home or vehicle of a stranger.
- Be safe on the road, especially in busy intersections and along the roadway.
Booth Sale Safety and Best Practices
- At least one approved volunteer from each troop is expected to participate in product sales training and update the girls and volunteers on safety and program materials before the booth sale.
- Check out the booth sale site beforehand. Look for security measures and the location of the nearest bathroom.
- Keep Girl Scouts safely away from cars.
- Girl Scouts should oversee making all sales.
- Review the Safety Activity Checkpoints.
- The Girl Scout/adult ratio should always be followed. This information can be found at Safety Activity Checkpoints.
- Troops may not promote, collect, or sell items other than Girl Scout Cookies at a cookie booth.
- Booth locations should not block a store location or exit.
- Be sure to have a plan for safeguarding the money collected at the booth. Do not keep large amounts of money at the booth location
Money Safety
- Safeguard money at all times.
- Avoid keeping large amounts of money in a Girl Scout’s or family’s possession.
- Money should be regularly given to the co-leader or troop cookie volunteer and promptly deposited into the troop bank account.
- Daisy Girl Scouts should not handle money.
Online Safety
- Review the GSUSA Internet Safety pledge before using the internet to promote a Girl Scout’s cookie program.
- Girl Scouts and families must review and abide by GSUSA’s Supplemental Safety Tips for Online Marketing before using social media to promote a Girl Scout’s cookie program.
- Adults should supervise Girl Scouts when participating in any online activity related to the cookie program.
- Parents/caregivers must review and approve a Girl Scout’s website before it goes live.
- Parents/caregivers must review and approve any pictures or videos before they are posted to their website. If the youth is under 13 years old, a parent or caregiver must personally post the pictures and videos to their website themselves—youth under 13 are not permitted to do this.
- Girl Scouts 12 and younger can use the social media accounts of parents/caregivers/trusted adults to promote their cookie program. Girl Scouts 13 years and older can use their social media accounts.
- Girl Scouts should only share their first names, troop/group number, or council name when selling online.
- If providing an email address, a Girl Scout should use either a group account monitored by an adult, or an email account owned by an adult.
- Never reveal a Girl Scout’s email or street address when online.
Additional Safety Tips:
- Girl Scouts should wear a membership pin, uniform, or Girl Scout clothing when selling, taking orders, or delivering cookies.
- Do not share personal information such as: last name, home address, personal phone number, personal email address, school name.
- Only go door-to-door during daylight hours and in familiar neighborhoods.
- Do not enter the home or vehicle of a stranger.
- Be safe on the road, especially in busy intersections and along the roadway.
- Safeguard money at all times.
- Avoid keeping large amounts of money in a Girl Scout’s or family’s possession.
- Money should be regularly given to the co-leader or troop cookie volunteer and promptly deposited into the troop bank account.
- Daisy Girl Scouts should not handle money.
Cookie Recipe Emails
A link to each email will be indexed here within 48 hours of the email going out
- Issue 1 | January 4, 2026
- Issue 2 | January 11, 2026
- Issue 3 | January 18, 2026
- Issue 4 | January 25, 2026
- Issue 5 | February 1, 2026
- Issue 6 | February 8, 2026
- Issue 7 | February 15, 2026
- Issue 8 | February 22, 2026
- Issue 9 | March 1, 2026
- Issue 10 | March 8, 2026
- Issue 11 | March 15, 2026
- Issue 12 | March 22, 2026
- Issue 13 | March 29, 2026
- Issue 14 | April 5, 2026
- Issue 15 | April 12, 2026
- Issue 16 | April 19, 2026
Booth Sales | March 14 - April 19
How to Obtain a Booth Sale Site
How does the troop obtain a booth sale site?
Booth sale sites are handled at the service unit level. Troops should check with their service unit cookie manager to determine the service unit’s procedure for securing a booth site. Once the service unit confirms a booth site, it MUST be entered into the troop’s record in eBudde (Booth Sites tab).
Listing the booth site in eBudde is REQUIRED to:
- Act as the troop’s trip application AND
- Allow the booth to be listed in the Cookie Finder app.
Important Notes:
- Troops may only hold booth sales within their service unit’s geographic footprint. If a troop has a booth sale opportunity outside their service unit’s footprint, they must contact their service unit cookie manager to obtain permission to hold the booth sale at the desired location.
- Booth sales can only be held during the booth sale period (March 14– April 19, 2026). The GSOFCT Product Sales team must approve any exceptions.
- Occasionally the council will set up booth sites open to ALL troops regardless of where the site is located. These booth sites will be listed in eBudde and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Basic Guidelines for Holding a Booth Sale
Cookie Booths are a great place for Girl Scouts to leverage and grow their entrepreneurial skills.
- Booth sales are considered a troop activity. Occasionally, a Girl Scout in a troop will want to hold a booth outside of or in addition to the troop’s booth sale(s). These Girl Scouts and families must adhere to the service unit procedures for securing a booth site.
- If this situation arises, please refer the parent/caregiver to the service unit volunteer who handles booth sites for your service unit. In addition, please refer the parent to the GSOFCT Booth Sale Guidelines for Families document available at gsofct.org.
Troops can obtain inventory for their booth sale in the following ways:
- Order cookies on the Initial Order on the Booth line, or
- Some cupboards will be open starting the week of March 9. The remaining cupboards will be open starting the week of March 16.
- Note: Cookies ordered as part of a troop’s Initial Order may NOT be returned to a cookie cupboard, even if the cookies are not sold by the end of the cookie program.
Only cookies received in one of the following ways may be sold during the 2026 booth sale season:
- Picked up from a GSOFCT cookie delivery site on March 14, 2026, or
- Picked up from a GSOFCT cookie cupboard beginning the week of March 9, 2026.
- Cookies from 2025 Election Week Cookie Sales, a different council, or a previous cookie season CANNOT be sold. •
Several factors determine booth sale durations. Booth sales can be held for as few as 60 minutes or an entire day.
Factors that will influence the duration of the booth sale include:
- The number and ages of participating Girl Scouts and the availability of adult volunteers.
- The availability of the location as determined by the service unit.
- The weather! Cold, windy, rainy, or snowy conditions may dictate a shorter booth sale.
Follow these important basics:
- Check in with the business owner/manager and follow any instructions they give you. Please do not ask the business for supplies or change; the troop is responsible for bringing everything it will need for the booth sale.
- Store cases off the ground and keep things neat! Remove empty cases right away. Remove everything the troop brought to the site when leaving.
- All cash donations MUST be used to purchase cookies for the Cookies for Heroes Program OR the troop’s local gift of caring initiative. Cash donations should NOT be taken as a donation to the troop.
- Girl Scouts must always be present. Adults may assist but not sell Girl Scout Cookies. At least two adults MUST be present at the booth. At least one of these volunteers must be registered with GSOFCT and be an approved volunteer. Consider having additional volunteers at the booth sale to assist with bathroom breaks or in case of emergencies.
- Family-friendly restaurants with bars or breweries that house a kitchen are permissible. The booth must be set up away from the bar, and Girl Scout adults supervising the booth sale may not consume alcohol during the booth. Members should never in any way promote the purchase of alcohol, such as a cookie/beer pairing or a coupon offer with the purchase of cookies.
Booth Sale Safety & Best Practices
- At least one approved volunteer from each troop is expected to participate in product sales training and update the girls and volunteers on safety and program materials before the booth sale.
- Check out the booth sale site beforehand. Look for security measures and the location of the nearest bathroom
- Keep Girl Scouts safely away from cars.
- Girl Scouts should oversee making all sales.
- Review the Safety Activity Checkpoints for Cookie and Product Sales at gsofct.org>Members>Forms and Documents>Volunteer Essentials/Safety Activity Checkpoints.
- The Girl Scout/adult ratio should always be followed. This information can be found at gsofct.org>Members>Forms and Documents>Volunteer Essentials/Safety Activity Checkpoints.
- Troops may not promote, collect, or sell items other than Girl Scout Cookies at a cookie booth.
- Booth locations should not block a store location or exit.
- Be sure to have a plan for safeguarding the money collected at the booth. Do not keep large amounts of money at the booth location.
What to Bring
- In addition to cookies, bring a cash box with starter cash and a table.
- If the troop opts to accept credit cards, bring the card reader or mobile device with the Digital Cookie mobile app.
- Signs and decorations for the table.
- Cards and ribbons to make multi-box bundles for occasions like birthdays or holidays.
- A Cookies for Heroes flyer and a Thin Mint box wrapped in the Cookies for Heroes box wrap to promote the program.
- A box or container to collect cookies purchased for a troop’s local gift of caring initiative, if applicable.
- Cookie costumes for Girl Scouts to wear to attract customers to the booth. See Pinterest for ideas!
- Snacks and water for the Girl Scouts. Note: Girl Scouts and adults should step away from the table when eating or drinking.
- First Aid kit
Pro Tips
There are many ways to hold a booth sale, so make sure to present all the options to troop families.
Successful booth sales can include:
- In-person booths in front of local businesses or large community events, in a neighborhood, or at the top of a troop family’s driveway.
- A drive-thru booth sale in a school/church/business parking lot (with appropriate permission)
- A virtual booth promoted on troop families’ social media accounts. •
Other Pro Tips:
- Consider using one or both troop links on the Digital Cookie platform.
— Troop families can share the links on social media to expand the base of potential customers.
— If a troop sets up the direct ship link, it will be included on the GSUSA Cookie Finder app beginning midFebruary, so customers who don’t personally know a Girl Scout can order cookies to be directly shipped.
- Talk about the Cookies for Heroes Program with customers.
- Allocate the cookies in eBudde to all Girl Scouts who participated in the booth sale (Girl Order tab). This ensures all Girl Scouts who participated receive credit for sales. The weekly Cookie Recipe emails will include more information about this.
- Cookies should be allocated in a way that is fair to all Girl Scouts. Remember: Girl Scouts who weren’t at the booth sale may have helped out in other ways, such as making posters or helping to pick up the cookies.
Cookies for Heroes
Cookies for Heroes (CFH) is the council’s Gift of Caring program. Girl Scouts can offer their customers the opportunity to support their troop and, at the same time, donate cookies to women and men serving in the military, veterans, and local heroes. Plus, they can earn cool rewards!
Cookies for Heroes are $6.00/ package
How Do Girls Sell Packages for CFH? Girl Scouts can sell cookies for CFH:
- In person during and after the Initial Order taking period.
- At booth sales and walkabouts.
- Via their Digital Cookie storefront.
When taking cookie orders, Girl Scouts should ask the customer if they want to make a CFH purchase. If Girl Scouts leave an order card at a parent/caregiver/trusted adult’s workplace, they can attach a CFH flyer to the order card. Booth sales are also a great time to promote Cookies for Heroes. Troops can decorate their booths with posters and flyers to market the program.
How are these cookies accounted for, and how do Girl Scouts receive credit for these cookies?
When Girl Scouts sell a package for CFH in person via the order card, they record the sale on the order card, and the troop cookie volunteer ensures that the sales are recorded in eBudde.
Packages sold for Cookies for Heroes on the Digital Cookie platform are automatically recorded in eBudde and should NOT be manually added by the troop volunteer.
How do cookies sold for CFH get to the intended recipients?
GSOFCT partners with organizations to deliver the cookies. Therefore, the troop does not receive or physically handle packages of cookies sold for CFH.
Pro Tips:
- Suggest girls set a CFH goal to share with their customers
- Girl Scouts who at at least 5 packages for the CFH program with earn the Brave charm.
Cookie Cupboards
Cookies for booth sales and Goal Getter orders can be obtained from council and service unit cupboards. Contact your service unit manager to see if your service unit has a local cookie cupboard.
Please note that if you are picking up cookies from a council or service unit cupboard, you will need to enter a pending order in eBudde at least 6 days (144 hours) prior to pick up to ensure cookies are available. Some cupboards use a pick-up scheduling feature in eBudde. If the cupboard you select is using that feature, you will be prompted to choose a date and time slot to pick up your cookies. See the Hours of Operation information below to see how to make an appointment for cookie pick-ups.
Troops can return up to 50% of the original consignment that was picked up from a cupboard for a booth sale. All returns must be in unopened cases and be in sellable condition. Cases must be returned within 5 days of the booth sales. Individual packages may not be returned.