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Deciding how to sell cookies is one of the biggest decisions girls will make during the program and there are a lot of choices! Be it through her online cookie efforts, going door-to-door in her neighborhood, or contacting local businesses—girls take the lead and learn how their choices impact their goals.
Ways to Participate 
The Cookie Program is available to all girls, and they (and their families) can choose one of the many ways to participate or even better participate in multiple ways! Supplementing their direct sales with online sales is sure to help them succeed! Girls will set their goals, reach customers, and learn the five key business skills and lessons that last a lifetime.
- Door-to-Door Sales: Girls will now have cookies on hand day 1 for door-to-door sales! We know there are lot of neighbors eagerly awaiting a Girl Scout to come knocking at their door! If a customer is not home, Girl Scouts can leave a door hanger or a business card with their individual sales link to purchase online for girl delivery.
- Workplace Sales: A caregiver's workplace provides a great selling opportunity. The key to success? Keep it girl led! Bring your girl to your work, send your girl's video to your coworkers—the options are endless. Encourage your Girl Scout to prepare a short personal statement to share with customers. This helps them explain their goals and what your support means. Since cookies are available right away, she can thank customers in the moment and hand-deliver cookies on the spot. Working from home? Cookie sellers can draft an email to introduce their goals and let coworkers know cookies are ready for immediate porch drop-off or a quick meet-up.
- Business-to-Business Sales: Businesses are always looking for creative ways to engage their customers. What better way than by offering customers a package of Girl Scout Cookies! Cookies can be sold to local businesses who in turn give them to their customers or clients. Real estate agents can serve them at open houses, car dealerships can keep them in their lobbies, or a sales firm may use them as thank you gifts. Connecting with a community organization to set up a time to sell cookies to members during a meeting or even connecting with businesses to set up a "cookie break" are also great options to try.
- Digital Sales: Through the Girl Scout's unique Digital Cookie sales link, customers can choose the Direct Ship option to have cookies shipped right to their door or have them delivered by the Girl Scout and their caregiver with the girl delivery option. Online sales allow customers and sellers (Girl Scouts) to connect more easily than they ever could before.
- Phone or Text: Digital Cookie sales links can easily be shared by text for direct-ship, local delivery, and donation orders. Girl Scouts can also call customers to collect orders for local delivery or to place a direct ship order.
- Cookie Booths: A Cookie Booth is a place where Girl Scouts set up a table at a business or other approved public location to sell Girl Scout Cookies. Selling as a group not only develops individual skills, it also teaches troops how to work together as a team. Booths are a great option for troops who want to practice selling together. Cookie sellers have fun, and customers get their favorite cookies—talk about a win-win! More information on pages 26-30.
Cookie Stands
Cookie Stands are booths with one girl and her trusted adult—a girl can set up a Cookie Stand in her front yard or a central location in her neighborhood and invite neighbors to drop by! Cookie Stands can give girls more opportunities to achieve their goals, but is not meant to replace the team effort of traditional Cookie Booths.
Cookie Stand Guidelines:
- A Cookie Stand is a booth set up on the property where the girl or a close family member resides, as their city, homeowner’s association and/or property management permits.
- Cookie Stands can be held by one girl and one adult. If a girl is accompanied by her own caregiver, that adult is not required to be a registered Girl Scout volunteer.
- Girl Scouts should wear a uniform piece as they are representing Girl Scouts.
- Cookie Stands can take place anytime during the Cookie Program.
- If in a troop, girls must use cookies that have been transferred from the troop inventory to the girl.
- Cookie Stands may not be entered as booths in Smart Cookies as they are managed by individual girls and families. They may be promoted by the girl using her own marketing tools such as their social media and signage.
- Girls must have her own caregiver adult present at the Cookie Stand at all times—girls, cookies, and money should never be left unattended.
- Girls who reside in an apartment, gated community, or similar housing must obtain management approval prior to setting up. Set up must be in a common area within the bounds of the complex.
Perfecting Her Pitch
Practice makes perfect! Before your girls go out into the world with their order card in hand, help them practice their sales pitch. Their customers are going to ask questions, and now is a great time to practice answering! Girls should also familiarize themselves with the cookie line up so they can describe each different flavor.
Sample Pitch
Sample Pitch
It’s Girl Scout Cookie Time! My first name is_______. Please help me reach my goal of selling # packages so my troop can_______. Let me tell you how you can order!
Pitching to Businesses
Local businesses can be great partners during the Cookie Program. In addition to hosting cookie booths, try perfecting your pitch to local businesses! Do you know a local business owner? Our delicious cookies are great for employee appreciation and can also be purchased for customer appreciation.
Guidelines for Success on Selling to Businesses:
- Businesses cannot sell cookies for girls, but they can host girl-attended booths!
- Businesses may never buy cookies to resell them, but they can buy them to use them as a giveaway to customers or employees to show appreciation.
- Be sure to practice your pitch and always speak to the manager before approaching customers, employees, or setting up a troop secured booth.
Perfect Your Online Pitch
Today’s Girl Scouts are tech-savvy! Girls age 13 and older may promote their Cookie Business on their personal social media pages with a caregiver’s guidance and permission. Promotion can even begin prior to the start of the sale letting friends and family know that “Cookies are Coming!” Just remember, no orders should be taken before the program starts.
For girls under the age of 13, caregivers can promote their Girl Scout Cookie Business, but girls should be involved in the process—for instance, she can share her goals, photos, or artwork, and messages of thanks. Remember, customers are getting more than delicious cookies—they are supporting the development of female business leaders!
Guidelines for Success on Online Selling:
- Personal emails or street addresses of girls should never be used online.
- Girls 13+ older may use social networking sites such as Facebook if they have caregiver permission and adult supervision.
- Under no circumstances can girls or their parents sell or take money for the Girl Scout Cookie Program through online sales sites such as eBay, Craigslist, Amazon, Facebook Marketplace, TikTok Shop, and public buy & sell sites.
- Social media ads or any type of paid advertisements should not be purchased or donated to promote a girl's individual cookie businesses.
A Sample Social Media Post: My daughter [name] is selling Girl Scout Cookies this year to help reach her goal of [recognition goal]! If you are interested in supporting [name], please leave a comment with the best time to reach you and [name] will contact you. Not OK: My daughter is selling Girl Scout Cookies! Leave a comment with your order!
Perfect Your Pitch to the Media
The media can be a great asset during the Cookie Program. Not only can talking with the media and being on TV be a fun experience, it can get the word out about how to buy cookies, why the public should buy cookies, and more! A great way to start is by researching media stations in your area, and deciding if you would want to be on TV, radio, or in the newspaper. Once you have decided which type of media outlet you would like to share your story with, reach out to us and we will help you get in contact with them!
Before engaging with the media it is required that you reach out to us at 877-312-4764 or info@girlscoutsmoheartland.org. As the expert and official representative for GSMH in the media, our Marketing and Communications Specialist will be your teammate, guiding your troop through the process every step of the way.
Guidelines for Success on Working with the Media:
- Be prepared to talk about your Girl Scout experience, how Girl Scouts has impacted you, why you are selling cookies, and so on.
- When talking about Girl Scouts, always say, “Girl Scouts” and not “Scouts.”
- When doing an in-person interview, make sure to wear your Girl Scouts uniform.
- When sharing a link with the media, always use the National Girl Scout Cookie Finder. Never use a personal link.
- After they publish the story, share it. If you share it on social media, don’t forget to tag us!
National Girl Scout Cookie Finder
For all of these outside of the box ways to pitch her Cookie Business, remember to promote the National Girl Scout Cookie Finder! The National Girl Scout Cookie Finder is used by millions of customers to find cookies in their local areas! In addition to displaying Troop Ship Only Links, customers will be able to see any Cookie Booths in their area—as long as they're entered into Smart Cookies! This year, GSUSA and GSMH will be supporting all troops by running paid digital ads to promote the National Girl Scout Cookie Finder.
Note: Troops and girls should never use their unique links when partnering with GSMH to promote the Cookie Program in the media.
Cookie Merchandise
Each Cookie Season, volunteers and members have the opportunity to purchase a variety of Girl Scout Cookie themed merchandise to support girl’s cookie business and boost sales! Merchandise can start being ordered January 22 while supplies last.
Use the 2026 Cookie Program Merchandise Order form to place an order for Cookie Merchandise to support your Cookie Season! After submitting this form, a member of our Retail Team will contact you for payment.
Note: Some items have limited availability.
A Cookie Booth is a place where Girl Scout Troops set up a table at a business or other approved public location to sell Girl Scout Cookies. Selling as a group not only develops individual skills, it also teaches troops how to work together as a team. Booths are a great option for troops who want to practice selling together. Cookie sellers have fun, and customers get their favorite cookies—talk about a win-win!
Cookie Booth Basics
- Only registered Girl Scouts are allowed to sell Girl Scout Cookies. Any resale or redistribution of Girl Scout Cookies is unauthorized.
- There needs to be a minimum of two adult members and two girls at a Cookie Booth. Adults must be present at the Cookie Booth at all times—girls, cookies, and money should never be left unattended. The two adults must be registered, approved (background checked) unrelated adult volunteers.
- Girls should be in uniform or wearing Girl Scout attire if possible.
- Girl Scouts should always behave in a manner appropriate to a public setting. Adults are responsible for the actions of both themselves and the actions of the girls.
- It is the choice of the girl and parent if they want to participate in a Cookie Booth.
- Girls are not financially responsible for packages sold at booths, but they will still receive the credit to help meet their goals.
- Give the girls who worked at the booth credit for the sales of the booth. Be transparent with troop members about how you are diving up credit for booths.
Cookie Booth Safety
Girls' safety is always our #1 priority. Keep these safety guidelines in mind for Cookie Booths.
- Girls can never be left alone at a booth for any amount of time or for any reason.
- Always have a first aid kit and a Health History form for each girl present.
- Use the buddy system when using restrooms.
- Only Girl Scouts and supervising volunteers should be at the booth.
- Adults should assist in handling cash. Cash is to be stored out of sight—try a fanny pack!
- Girls should never give out their names, addresses, or telephone numbers to customers.
Cookie Booth Community Partners
For GSMH Secured Cookie Booths, our community partners determine the time and dates when they will allow booths and when that information is released to our members. It is critical that we maintain a positive relationship with our community partners for their continued support of Girl Scouts and the GSMH Cookie Program. Understandably, our partners do not take calls from individual troops if they have already agreed to a Girl Scout Cookie Booth schedule. Community Booth Partners for the 2025 Cookie Season include Walmart, Sam’s Club, Hyvee, Tractor Supply, Bass Pro, Schnucks, Wonders of Wildlife, and Lowe’s.
Signing Up for a Community Partner Cookie Booth
The easiest way to get started with a Cookie Booth is to sign up for one available in Smart Cookies! A variety of booths are scheduled by GSMH and entered into Smart Cookies before the initial sign up process begins.
Below is the schedule for the initial sign up period:
- January 19—Cookie Booth access opens at 6 p.m. for troops to choose booth locations. Each troop may initially reserve two Walmart booths and three additional booths.
- January 21—Cookie Booth access closes for initial booth choices—confirmations sent.
- January 4—Cookie Booth access reopens at 6 p.m. for the duration of the Cookie Program and troops may sign up for additional booths. Check back often for new opportunities.
We ask that booths are booked by each individual troop leader. Lottery systems within Service Units are not recommended and not supported by GSMH. Beginning February 4, booth locations will be open to all troops for the duration of the program. In considering availability of booths and troops in a geographic area, GSMH reserves the right to adjust / cancel booth reservations due to overbooking by troops. If the situation arises, we will communicate directly with troop leaders before action is taken.
Securing Your Own Cookie Booth
Troops can use their contacts and reach out to local businesses (not including our community partners) to arrange a booth location in their community. These can be retail stores, grocery stores, hair salons, churches, parking lots, or other areas with lots of foot traffic. Troops must get prior permission from the store or property management to set up a Cookie Booth and sell Girl Scout Cookies.
Once secured with the location, enter your troop secured Cookie Booth into Smart Cookies. From there, a member of the Cookies+ Team will review and approve your Cookie Booth before it is active. Troop secured booths must be entered into Smart Cookies by Friday at noon for the same weekend. Booths are approved on a daily basis during Cookie Season.
Restrictions on Booth Locations
In accordance with GSUSA Product Sales Guidelines, certain locations may be inappropriate for young girls and may negatively impact the Cookie Program experience for girls, and/or may negatively impact our brand in your community. GSMH reserves the right to deny any booth location that we feel may not be in the best interest of our Girl Scouts and their safety. These decisions are final. Girls cannot sell in or in front of establishments that they themselves cannot legally patronize on their own. This includes any location that is 18+ or 21+; CBD, marijuana, or hemp dispensaries/pharmacies; gun stores; liquor stores; wine, beer, tobacco, or firearm events; and nightclubs.
Smart Cookies Reservations
Cookie Booths should be listed in Smart Cookies so customers can find you! It also makes allocating cookies to girls easier.
To sign up for a GSMH Secured Cookie Booth or add a Troop Secured Cookie Booth in Smart Cookies, under the Booth tab:
- Choose 'Schedule a Booth.'
- A new page will pop up, allowing you to choose from a 'troop secured' or 'first-come, first-served' booth. A troop secured booth is characterized as booths in front of small, local businesses and a first-come, first served booth is characterized as booths in front of big box stores (Walmart, Lowe’s, etc.).
- If scheduling a Troop Secured
Cookie Booth, follow the steps below. If signing up for a GSMH
Secured Cookie Booth, skip to step number 4.
- Input the business name, address, date, and time.
- You will receive an email stating the booth has been saved but is still in the approval process.
- GSMH will approve your booth.
- If signing up for a GSMH Secured
Cookie Booth, follow the steps below:
- Input the zip code or town you are wanting to host the Cookie Booth.
- Available locations will pop up and allow you to schedule using a calendar. Select the date you are wanting to host the booth. Note: these booths are available in two hour time slots. You can only reserve one time slot. Remember: these are first-come, first-served and not every time slot will be available.
- An email will be sent to you as soon as you save your reservation.
Prefer a video? For Troop Secured Booths, follow along with this Troop Secured Booths tutorial from ABC Bakers.
If you have any questions regarding scheduling Cookie Booths or hosting a Cookie Booth, reach out to your Cookies+ Team. Here are some other tips to keep in mind:
- A cookie booth isn’t reserved without a Smart Cookies confirmation. Remember to keep the confirmation handy by printing it out or having it on your phone.
- When scheduling booths in Smart Cookies, please make sure to look for any special instructions. For example, if there is a note in Smart Cookies to check in with store manager, please do so.
- Troop Secured Booths must be entered into Smart Cookies by Friday at noon for the same weekend. Booths are approved on a daily basis during Cookie Season.
- If two troops show up at the same time for a cookie booth, the troop with the Smart Cookies confirmation is the troop conducting the booth.
Cookie Booth Etiquette
The businesses in our community allow Girl Scout Cookie Booths because they support our organization and believe in our mission. Please follow the Girl Scout Promise and Law when hosting a Cookie Booth, and always be professional, courteous, and kind to be customers and business personel. In addition, follow these guidelines for top-notch booth etiquette before, during, and after your Cookie Booth.
- Remember to be considerate, caring, friendly and helpful to other troops, customers, and businesses. Show appreciation to all customers.
- Need a raincheck? Always cancel a Cookie Booth as soon as you can. If you cannot attend, find another troop, if possible, to take your space. Customers may show up at your booth looking for you when you're not there!
- Show up 5-10 minutes before your scheduled time. Any earlier, and you may be encroaching on another troop's time. If you arrive early and another troop is wrapping up their booth, you are not allowed to sell before your scheduled time starts.
- During the Cookie Booth, running around, shouting, smoking, and eating are not allowed.
- Begin packing your booth up 15 minutes prior to your end time; never stay past your assigned booth time when another troop is waiting to set up. If another troop does not show, you can continue to sell until the next troop shows up for their shift.
- At the end of your shift clean up and leave the area better than you found it. All empty cases and trash must be taken with you and do not use the location’s trash services.
Giving Girls Credit - Dividing Booth Sales
It's important to determine a process of giving girls credit for booth sales. You may find it successful to manually divide the total number of packages sold by the number of girls who worked each booth, and manually give those girls credit in Smart Cookies. Our favorite way for giving girls credit is with the Smart Booth Divider in Smart Cookies! Whatever way you decide, be transparent with troop members about how you are diving up credit for booths.
The Smart Booth Divider is an easy and efficient way to distribute credit for booth sold packages to multiple girls quickly and evenly. Using the Smart Booth Divider not only helps you track packages sold at each booth location, it also provides GSMH important data related to the booth sales activity to help prepare for future booth sales.
Steps for using the Smart Booth Divider:
- Log into Smart Cookies.
- Click on the 'Booth' tab.
- Select 'My Reservations'.
- Choose the booth location the cookies were sold at.
- Click on the three dots on the far right of the booth. Select 'Smart Booth Divider'.
- Enter the number of packages by variety sold at the booth. Click 'Save and Distribute Sales'.
- Click on the check box next to the girls who participated at the booth.
- Click 'Continue'. Any left-over packages will appear at the top of the page in red. You will need to manually distribute these packages to the girls.
- Click 'Save'.
Prefer a video? Follow along with this Smart Booth Divider tutorial from ABC Bakers.
Boost Your Booth with Tips, Tricks, and Cookie Share
Tips for a Successful Cookie Booth
- Select a day, time, and location with a lot of foot traffic—weekends are generally best.
- Take an adequate supply of the best sellers — Thin Mints, Caramel deLites, and Peanut Butter Patties.
- Make an attractive table display to invite customer interest. Decorations, balloons, and cookie signs are great, or girls can choose a theme and "Bling their Booth."
- Prepare a troop goal poster and display it at your booth. Customers love to help girls reach their goals! Update the poster as boxes are sold.
- Have a Care to Share donation sign. Customers who don't want to buy cookies for themselves can buy cookies to donate and support the Girl Scouts!
Boost Your Booth with Cookie Share
This year, our Cookie Share cookies will be donated to Ozarks Food Harvest, who provides food distribution and services to 270 Ozarks area nonprofits through programs such as the Weekend Backpack Program, Mobile Food Pantry, the Senior Food Program, and more. This is a great way for troops to encourage generosity and give back to the community. You might even try setting up a donation Cookie Share cup to make it easy for customers to participate.
Cookies sold via Cookie Share require special handling in Smart Cookies. Here is a chart to support you in crediting girls accurately for your Cookie Share donations. You can identify the donation type for donations purchased through Digital Cookie by looking at the All Order Data report from your Troop dashboard in Digital Cookie.
Donation Type |
Who Fulfills |
Credit Method |
Shipped + Donation |
GSMH Cookie Share |
Automatically Credited |
Booth Digital Cookie Credit Card |
GSMH Cookie Share |
Smart Booth Divider - Cookie Share |
(Online) Donation |
GSMH Cookie Share |
Automatically Credited |
In Person + Donation |
GSMH Cookie Share |
Create Virtual Cookie Share |
Cash Sale |
Troop Inventory |
Create Virtual Cookie Share |