Materials for You
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We hope you’re as excited and ready as we are to get the Girl Scout Cookie Season started! As a Troop Cookie Chair, you play a large role in the success of your troop’s Cookie Program, and even get to experience first-hand the girls’ growth in character and confidence as they learn new skills!
Troop Cookie Chair Role Overview 
As the Troop Cookie Chair, your main responsibility is to oversee the Cookie Program for your troop. That means holding a Family Cookie Meeting, helping girls set goals, managing the troop’s cookie inventory, managing troop finances including making deposits, and distributing girl recognitions.
The Service Unit Cookie Chair will distribute materials to you after receiving them. Follow their instructions on how to receive and distribute the materials to your girls.
- The Cookie Scoop
- Receipts Booklets
- Family Guide
Materials for Girls
- Recognition Flyers
- Money Envelopes
- Order Card
- Family Guide
Online Materials
- Step–by–Step Guies
- Digital Forms
- Marketing Toolkit
Preparing Yourself and Your Troop
- Check your roster in Smart Cookies beginning December 2—if any girls are missing, send us an email with their information to info@girlscoutsmoheartland.org.
- Confirm that GSMH has up-to-date troop bank account information on file.
- If your troop participated in the Fall Product Program, ensure the troop bill is paid in full.
- Ensure all adults helping with the Cookie Program are registered, background checked, and have completed all volunteer requirements, including trainings.
- Complete the 2026 Cookie Program Training in gsLearn. This go-at-your-own-pace gsLearn course, that you can reference anytime during the 2026 Cookie Program, will prepare you and your troop volunteers. Available in November, completing this training is a requirement to earn the Troop Bonus.
Goal Setting with Your Girls and Troop
One of the most important lessons girls can learn through selling Girl Scout Cookies is how to set and reach their goals. It’s one of the five key skills build during the Cookie Program.
Need help knowing where to start? Troops that participated in the 2025 Cookie Program earned an average amount of $1,589 in total troop proceeds!
Tips for Setting Troop Goals
- For new troops, talk with your fellow Troop Leaders, Service Unit Cookie Chair, or Volunteer Support Specialist for a recommendation based on your troop’s Girl Scout grade level.
- For returning troops, review your 2025 total sales. Discuss with your troop how to meet or exceed last year’s sales.
- Discuss with the girls how they can help each other reach the troop goal and what they want to do with their proceeds.
Goal Setting Idea: Set goals with your girls! Girls with 150+ sales will receive the Goal Getter patch. And girls with 300+ packages sold have the opportunity to choose between receiving $60 in Cookie Credit with the plush ferret OR receiving their MY27 Membership with the plush ferret.
Tips for Setting Girl Goals
- Discuss individual goals with each girl. Talk about the recognitions that each girl would like to achieve.
- For returning troops, compare each girl’s goal with last year’s sales information in Smart Cookies. Discuss with her if she feels the goal is reasonable and how she plans to reach this year’s goal.
- Include the caregivers! Do they agree with the goal? The Family Cookie Meeting is the time to make sure caregivers are on board with both the girl and troop goals.
Host a Family Cookie Meeting
Family Cookie Meetings are critical to the success of the program and required to receive the Troop Bonus. Held before the program begins, they help provide a foundation of understanding and agreement for both the volunteers and families. Families can talk with their Troop Leaders and Troop Cookie Chair about the upcoming Cookie Program and learn about finance and inventory management, share best methods for staying in contact, and agree on roles and responsibilities.
Permission Slips & Financial Responsibility
Returning this year are the updated girl permission and financial responsibility guidelines. The permission and responsibility statement has been integrated into receipts. To collect permission for the program, troop leaders must obtain a caregiver's signature on a receipt when checking out cookies or turning in money. Instructions on how to correctly fill out the receipt are on page 47 of the Cookie Scoop. Be sure to share this information with caregivers at the family meeting.
Preparing for the Meeting
First, invite caregivers to your upcoming Family Cookie Meeting! At least one adult from each family must participate in the meeting though best practice is to have all adults assisting with the Girl Scout Cookie Program in attendance! Have materials ready to be distributed, including filling in girl order cards with each girl's first name and last initial, troop number, and program dates.
Sample Meeting Agenda
| Welcomes and Introductions |
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| Review of the Cookie Program Highlights |
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| Girl Led Participation and Perfecting Her Pitch |
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Money Matters
Cookies are sold for $6 per package. Caregivers are responsible for collecting the money upon delivery of cookies and turning it in to their Troop Leader or Cookie Chair, as soon as possible. Schedule times that caregivers can submit the money and always make sure to give receipts. We recommended having caregivers turn in money at every troop meeting or at least every 1-2 weeks. Avoid accepting individual girl money during Cookie Booths to avoid confusion with finances. Tip: Make it easier on the adults by giving each caregiver troop bank account deposit slips! Be sure to write the girl's name on the slip—then caregivers can deposit cash and checks received straight into the troop bank account.
Financial Responsibility
Troops are responsible for assisting families in managing their finances. Let caregivers know that all cookies received by the troop are the troop’s responsibility. Likewise, all cookies received by the girls become the financial responsibility of the caregiver. Cookies may not be returned or exchanged with troops or cupboards.
Girl Permission/Financial Responsibility is now attached to receipts. Receipts must be signed every time a financial transaction or cookie transaction is made. For official inventory/financial guidelines, see page 47.
It is important that caregivers understand the deadlines for turning in money. When they turn in their money on time, it helps ensure that your troop is ready for electronic withdrawal.
Remind families of these deadlines for turning in money:
| March 5 | Troop Deposit Due for First Electronic Withdrawal |
| March 19 | Troop Deposit Due for Second Electronic Withdrawal |
| April 2 | Troop Deposit Due for Third Electronic Withdrawal |
| April 27 | Troop Deposit Due for Fourth Electronic Withdrawal |
Communication During the Cookie Program
Share with families the best way to communicate with you during the Cookie Program. Do you prefer text, email, or something else? Help set a solid foundation now by letting families know what works best for you, including when and how to best contact you for orders and questions. Also set clear expectations for how and when you will be communicating with families.
Additional Cookies During Direct Sale
Let caregivers know they can get more cookies once girls have sold and turned in all of the money for previously received cookies. Caregivers will need to contact the Troop Cookie Chair to get more cookies—either from the current troop inventory or cookie cupboard. Caregivers are not allowed to pick up cookies from the cupboards unless the Troop Cookie Chair provides permission to do so upon placing their Planned Order.
Troop Cookie Chairs are responsible for submitting troop's Planned Orders. Make sure you share with your girls and caregivers the best method, time, and days to request more cookies for the coming week. See page 42 for more details on Planned Orders.
Girl Scouts are Always Prepared
As a Troop Cookie Chair, you play a large role in the success of your troop’s Cookie Program. And you even get to experience first-hand the girls’ growth in character and confidence as they learn new skills! We want to help you succeed and feel comfortable in your role. Below is a summary of resources available to you as a Troop Cookie Chair.
Resources to prepare for your role:
Volunteer Facebook Group
Join your fellow Girl Scout Volunteers in our Volunteer Facebook Group.
Smart Cookies
Smart Cookies offers you a library of videos and tutorials to help you navigate the season.
ABC Bakers Youtube
There are more available videos just for you to check out as needed on the ABC Bakers Youtube Channel.
Your Support Teams
The Cookies+ Team, Volunteer Support Team, and Customer Service Team are all willing and able to help! Reach out to them with any questions.
Our Website
The Cookie Scoop is available digitally and includes easy to navigate pages with links and even more resources!
In Season Support
Do you have questions? The Cookies+ Team is available to support you! New this year, you can schedule a meeting directly with Amber Huey or Abby Trimble to discuss your cookie questions and concerns. Just click the link below!
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Your go-to person for all things Smart Cookies, inventory management, finance management, Cookie Cupboards, and planned orders. |
Your go-to person for all things Digital Cookie, girl-led participation in the Cookie Program, Cookie Booths, and rewards and bonus plans. |
Ultimate Checklist
The Ultimate Troop Cookie Chair Checklist is here for you in each phase of the Cookie Program.
Before the Program
Before the Program
- Receive and review your Troop Cookie Chair Guide—The Cookie Scoop.
- Complete the new gsLearn 2026 Cookie Program Training for Volunteers.
- Submit your Troop Cookie Chair Agreement form.
- Watch for emails to register and log into your Smart Cookies and Digital Cookies accounts for the season!
- Check your roster! GSMH will automatically upload girls to your Smart Cookies roster around December 2—log into Smart Cookies and check to make sure all your girls are shown. If you have a girl that is not showing up, please be sure she is a registered Girl Scout, then contact us so she can be uploaded into Smart Cookies. Then, enter the number of girls selling in the 'Troop Information' under the 'My Troop' tab.
- Confirm your troop bank account information is up-to-date and on file with GSMH.
- Host a Family Cookie Meeting—discuss important dates, choose two weekends (or more!) for Cookie Booths, share communication preferences, distribute selling materials, and set goals for the 2026 Cookie Program. More on pages 16-17!
Smart Cookies & Pre-Season Prep
Smart Cookies is your one-stop-shop for all things during the Cookie Program. With this online platform, hosted by ABC Bakers, you’ll be able to:
- Manage your inventory
- Submit Planned Orders
- Select Cookie Booths
- Schedule Cookie Booths
- Transfer cookies to other troops
- Transfer cookies to girls
- Track troop finances
- Order girl rewards
Troops will begin receiving an access email for Smart Cookies on November 20. Before the program begins, make sure to update your troop information. Found under the 'My Troop' tab, you can update the following:
- Troop level
- Proceed plan
- Main recognition plan
- 5-Cent Option for Juniors+
- Troop Recognition Plan
- Contact information, including addresses and phone numbers
GSMH will automatically upload girls to your Smart Cookies roster around December 2— log into Smart Cookies and check to make sure all your girls have been added. Then, enter the number of girls selling in the 'Troop Information' under the 'My Troop' tab.
If you have a girl that is not showing up in Smart Cookies, please be sure she is a registered Girl Scout, then contact us via info@girlscoutsmoheartland.org before January 17 so she can be uploaded into Smart Cookies.
Starting February 1, girls will remain on your troop roster. Troops will not be penalized if a girl decides not to participate, or if a new girl joins and isn't ready to sell. Each girl may participate at her own pace, without impacting the troop's eligibility for bonuses. This is also a good time to verify your troop’s bank account information in Smart Cookies.
Initial Order and Direct Sales Period
- January 6—New Initial Order Forecasting. More about initial order forecasting on page 40.
- January 19-21—Choose your initial Cookie Booths in Smart Cookies. More on page 27.
- January 19—Troop Initial Forecast Orders are due in Smart Cookies.
- February 1—Digital Cookie goes live!
- February 2—For JCSA troops, complete the 5-Cent Option Form(Link form), if choosing. More on page 10.
- February 5 - February 13—Service Unit Cookie Deliveries: Pick up your troop's initial forecast order from your Service Unit Cookie Chair on your assigned date. More on page 41.
- February 16—Direct Sales Begin! Troops can now start hosting their Cookie Booths! Make sure to host at least two Cookie Booths (pages 26-30) to be eligible for the Troop Bonus (Link form) (page 11)!
- February 20-22—Celebrate National Girl Scout Cookie Weekend!
- Make weekly deposits into the troop bank account to ensure each troop payment is successful. Read more about withdrawals from your troop account on page 46.
- Read every issue of the email newsletter Cookie Crumbles for important updates.
- Visit a cookie cupboard to pick up additional cookies as needed. More on page 42.
- Use Smart Cookies to manage troop inventory and transfer cookies to girls. More on page 51.
Wrapping Up the Program
- April 13 - April 16—Transfer all troop cookies to girls.
- April 13 - April 16—Finalize your troop's reward order—ensuring all girl choices & sizes are complete.
- April 13 - April 16—Submit your Troop Bonus Form to earn even more proceeds. More on page 11.
- April 24—Submit Uncollected Funds Reports as needed. More on page 50.
- May—Distribute Girl Rewards. More information below!
- Complete the 2026 Cookie Program Volunteer Debrief Survey!
- Celebrate your girls' and your troop's accomplishments this season!
Leftover Inventory
Back again this year, Extended Sales Period has returned with a grace period to sell all leftover inventory. The 2026 Cookie Program ends April 12—at this point all cookies should be transferred to girls in Smart Cookies. However, if your troop has remaining physical, on-hand inventory the troop has until June 12 to sell to customers. After June 12, any left over inventory must be donated or used for troop snacks. You may not discount the price of cookies at any point during or after the Girl Scout Cookie Program. Please continue to follow all safety and sales guidelines during this period.
Distributing Girl Rewards
Girl recognitions arrive in May* to your Service Unit Cookie Chair. They will contact you to arrange for a safe pick up of these highly anticipated items for your girls. Service Units and Troops must confirm arrival of all rewards. If you have not received a pick-up date and time by May 19, please contact your Service Unit Cookie Chair or the Cookies+ Team.
If there are any missing or damaged items, the Cookies+ Team must be notified via the 2026 Missing or Damaged Recognition Item form by June 15.
*Exact dates to be determined.
