Meet your new BFF the Black-footed ferret!
• The black-footed ferret is the only ferret native to North America.
• Lifespan: one to three years in the wild; four to six years in captivity
• Once thought extinct, they were rediscovered in 1981 in Wyoming. Thanks to breeding, reintroduction, and cloning, over 400 now live in the wild.
• They are nocturnal and fossorial, meaning they live underground.
• Their natural habitat is the grasslands of the North American plains.
Since 1917, when Girl Scouts in Muskogee, Oklahoma, began selling homemade cookies in their high school cafeteria, the Girl Scout Cookie Program has helped young cookie sellers grow into brave and fierce entrepreneurs.
Powered by the world’s largest girl-led entrepreneurial program, Girl Scout Cookie proceeds open doors to exciting opportunities, meaningful service projects, and lasting connections. These funds help keep Girl Scouting affordable for all families while supporting a range of community service projects.
Every cookie purchase is more than a sweet treat; it’s an investment in young entrepreneurs and the future of the Girl Scout movement.
• Jan. 9 – Troop orders are due. Be sure your troop cookie manager has the number of cookies you want to order to start the cookie program with. This is known as the Starting Inventory Order (SIO).
• Jan. 26, 7 p.m. – Join the Product Program team for the “Cookies 101 for Families” webinar. Scan QR Code.
• Jan.28 – Feb. 7 – The cookies are here! The cookies ordered through the SIO are available for pick-up by troop cookie managers (TCM). Schedule a pick-up time with the TCM to retrieve your cookies.
• Feb. 5 – Girl Scouts receive an email with the registration link for the Digital Cookie site.
• Feb. 7 – It’s cookie time! Girl Scouts can begin to take orders, go door-to-door and sell online.
• Feb. 13 – Cookie booths open at 4 p.m.
• Feb. 20 – 22 – National Girl Scout Cookie & Walkabout Weekend
• March 22 – Last day of the 2026 Girl Scout Cookie Program.
Good information to gather before the cookie program:
Troop #:
Troop cookie manager (TCM):
TCM Phone Number:
TCM Email Address:
Cookie pick-up date:
Money Due Dates:
Digital Cookie Login:
Digital Cookie Password:
• All cookies are $6 per package.
• Each case contains 12 packages.
• Caramel Chocolate Chip (gluten-free) cookies are sold exclusively online.
• New for 2026: Try Exploremores™
Indulgent brownie-inspired cookies with caramel flavored crème and a hint of sea salt
Rocky road ice cream-inspired cookies filled with flavors of chocolate, marshmallow and toasted almond crème
Savory slices of shortbread with a refreshingly tangy lemon flavored icing
Get the scoop on Exploremores, the newest Girl Scout Cookie! These rocky road ice cream-inspired sandwich cookies – filled with the delicious flavors of chocolate, marshmallow, and toasted almond flavored crème – reflect the spirit of exploration at the heart of every Girl Scout. Girl Scouts know the road to discovery starts with exploration.
Through the Girl Scout Cookie Program, girls gain skills that prepare them for life and leadership
• Build confidence and strengthen their collaboration and communications skills.
• Develop lifelong friendships.
• Take pride in funding their own adventures.
• Earn fun rewards and patches along the way
They also master five essential skills:
• Goal Setting – Planning and achieving goals.
• Decision Making – Making smart choices individually and as a team.
• Money Management – Budgeting and handling money.
• People Skills – Discover personal voice and learn how to interact with others.
• Business Ethics – Acting with honesty and integrity.
When customers buy cookies, they’re supporting:
• Program costs – covering cookies, materials, and coordination.
• Troop adventures and service projects – funding girl-led experiences and community impact.
• Council programs – supporting STEM, outdoor activities, life skills, entrepreneurship, camps, leadership training, and more!
Every box fuels a girl’s growth today and for the future.
• All Girl Scouts with a 2026 membership may participate in the cookie program.
• Participation is optional. There is no minimum sales requirement.
• Caregivers are required to sign a Parent/Guardian Permission Form. Scan the QR code on page 5 to access and submit it.
• Registered Girl Scouts not in a troop can join the fun as individually registered Girl Scouts (IRG). For help getting started, contact us at cookies@sjgs.org.
• Girl Scouts whose parents have Girl Scout debt may still participate in:
• Online sales: girl-delivered and direct-shipped
• Cookie booth sales
• Booth sales: use troop on-hand inventory
• Troop cookie managers will help with cookie orders and cookie booth scheduling. If you do not know who your troop cookie manager is, contact your troop leader.
To ensure your Girl Scout can start selling with cookiesin-hand on February 7, we encourage families to plan a starting inventory order. This is the first order of cookies for your Girl Scout. When she sells out of her cookie inventory, she can request more cookies from the troop cookie manager and schedule a time for cookie pick-up.
Families are not required to pre-pay for the cookies. Girl Scouts will sell the cookies in their possession and turn in the funds they collect from the sales into their troop cookie manager to deposit into the troop bank account. Before receiving more cookies, families must turn in money collected for previous sales.
Here’s how to do it:
• Setting goals is the first step! Girl Scouts and troops should work together to choose activities and set a budget.
• Decide how your Girl Scout wants to participate – booth sales, door-to-door sales, or online sales – and set a cookie goal accordingly.
• Ask your troop cookie manager (TCM) about qualifying for the Starting Inventory Order (SIO) reward.
• Need help estimating your order? Use the Parent Starting Inventory Worksheet at gssjc.org/cookies.
• If it’s your first year, starting with one case (12 packages) of each variety is a great option.
This cookie season, superpower your sale by adding Digital Cookie to your toolkit.
Register for Digital Cookie
Look for the Digital Cookie registration email in your inbox on or after __________________ to register. If you can’t find it, contact your council or visit digitalcookie. girlscouts.org and click the “Need help” link.
Take a few minutes to set your sales goal, write your cookie story, upload a fun picture or video. Then publish and be ready to go!
Prepare now by talking with your family about your goals and create a fun video telling customers why they want to support your business.
Add customers to your list and once sales have begun, use Digital Cookie to email them to visit your site. Or share your link or QR code directly with customers.
Use the Digital Cookie app to sell cookies wherever you go!
The app makes it easy for you to take payment from customers purchasing cookies. Girl Scout’s sites must be published before logging into the mobile app.
n View/approve your orders.
n See what your customers are buying.
n Make sure you have enough cookies to fill your orders.
n Prepare to deliver to customers.
Cheer on your troop mates by sending encouraging messages and gifs to boost their confidence. It all helps your troop reach their goals by working together.
Look for the Digital Cookie Support button for step-by-step instructions, tutorials, videos, tip sheets, and more.
Need 1:1 help? Click on the customer support button to talk live to a representative or submit a ticket for more support.
• Questions about Digital Cookie access or Cookie Program? Call 713-292-0300 or email cookies@sjgs.org.
• Look for the Digital Cookie Support button on Digital Cookie for step-by-step instructions, tutorials, videos, tip sheets, and more.
• Need 1:1 help? Click on the customer support button to talk live to a representative or submit a ticket for more support regarding the Digital Cookie site and cookie order status.
Before before Feb. 7:
• Make sure your Girl Scout is registered for the 2026 membership year and has submitted the Parent/Guardian Permission Form.
• Attend troop’s family meeting to learn about cookie badges, goals, five skills, and program details.
• Work with your troop cookie manager to decide how many cookies to order for the starting inventory order (SIO) by Jan. 9.
• Watch for the Digital Cookie registration link in your email beginning Feb. 5.
Feb. 7 – March 22
• Begin selling door to door, online, and through walkabouts with cookies in hand on Feb. 7.
• Request more cookies from your troop cookie manager as needed.
• Sign and keep receipts for any additional cookies picked up and record the number of cookie packages received throughout the program.
• Volunteer at a cookie booth if interested (two adults are required, one must be background checked).
• Support your Girl Scout during cookie delivery and cookie booths.
• Monitor Digital Cookie to ensure your Girl Scout has received credit for the appropriate number of cookies sold.
• Monitor Digital Cookie to track sales and payments.
• Let the troop cookie manager know if your Girl Scout chooses Rewards or Cookie Dough (not applicable to troops using the Older Girl Option).
After the Cookie Program (post March 22)
• Download customer contacts from Digital Cookie to use next year
• Pick up girl rewards from the troop cookie manager
• Collect payment only when cookies are delivered and turn in money weekly to troop cookie manager or troop leader. Get a receipt each time money is turned in. Cut out and post for the duration of the sale!
• Celebrate with your Girl Scout and the troop!
Starting Feb. 7, Girl Scouts can begin selling door to door, taking orders, going on troop walkabouts, and using Digital Cookie for online sales.
Selling door to door in your neighborhood is a great way for Girl Scouts to practice their sales pitch and meet new people (with adult supervision)! Leave door hangers and business cards for customers who aren’t home. Printable resources are now available at gssjc.org/cookies.
Cookie booths are a fantastic and fun way to reach a larger customer base. GSSJC provides a list of approved locations for cookie booths and troop cookie managers reserve the booth locations through the cookie site. Girl Scouts can market their cookies outside a preapproved location where they can practice their skills with new customers. Here are a few more things to know:
• Booths help Girl Scouts build business skills.
• Booths are scheduled in two-hour time slots.
• Parents can volunteer to help at booths; at least one registered, background-checked adult must be present.
• Check in with the store manager, follow setup instructions, and always say thank you.
• Be safe, have fun, and enjoy the experience!
Cookie stands, like lemonade stands, are small booths set up at a Girl Scout’s home (or a close relative’s) on private property. They’re ideal for Girl Scouts from the same household who prefer selling in a familiar setting. This is a great way to ease into community engagement. This can be fun for the whole family!
These booths are run by a parent and Girl Scout (Junior level and up), rather than the full troop.
• Best suited for low- to medium-traffic locations or troop-secured spots like small, family-owned businesses.
• Troop cookie managers must reserve these booths on behalf of the parent and Girl Scout.
• Ask friends and family to buy or donate Girl Scout Cookies.
• Reach out to past customers – or start tracking new ones for future sales. If this is your first year, keep track of your customers to help you during the next cookie program.
• Sell door to door, set up a home cookie stand, work troop booths, or sell online through Digital Cookie.
• Need more cookies? Contact your troop cookie manager to reorder and schedule pick up.
• Before the sale ends, follow up with your customers for final orders.
• Check with your TCM or troop leader about accepting checks.
• Always count money in front of the customer, especially when giving back change, and be cautious about accepting large denominations of bills.
• Turn in money to your troop cookie manager (TCM) weekly.
• Always get receipts from you TCM for all cookie pickups and payments turned in.
• Never deposit cookie money into your personal account or write a check to the troop.
Join Girl Scouts nationwide Feb. 20 – 22 to celebrate over 100 years of cookie-selling fun and learning! Support your local cookie bosses by selling, gifting, or donating cookies – every bit makes a difference. Walkabout Weekend is a perfect time to grab a wagon and go door to door in your neighborhood. It’s one of the most effective ways to sell cookies, 78% of customers in a national study said they would have bought two to four boxes if asked!
Cookies4Heroes allows customers to donate cookies to local heroes like firefighters, first responders, law enforcement, and military personnel. With an in-person donation, a customer can donate cash. For example if the customer says "keep the change" or donates $6, record on a receipt labeled “Cookie Share,” submit to your troop cookie manager. Then have TCM sign the receipt and keep a copy.
Customers can also donated online through the Girl Scouts link. These are tracked under Cookie Share and don’t affect on-hand inventory.
Get Rewarded!
• Sell 12+ cookie shares and get the Cookie Share patch
• Sell 30+ cookie shares and get a Cookies4Heroes patch, themed socks, and a chance for the troop to help distribute cookies to local heroes after the sale.
Let’s
Complete one line up, down, or diagonal and earn a special patch! Patches can be picked up at any Girl Scout Shop, while supplies last.
We want your photos and videos from your Girl Scout Cookie journey. Tag us in all your posts from door-to-door delivery's, mom and me cookie booths, practicing your perfect pitch, or doing your best at a cookie booth. Just use #GSSJC and you may have your photos and videos featured on our socials!
Girl Scouts using social media to promote cookie sales must follow safety and marketing guidelines:
• Review the Digital Marketing Tips for Cookie Entrepreneurs and Families at gssjc.org/cookies.
• Use only your unique Girl Scout or troop sales link – never promote links through paid ads.
• Keep personal details private (no last names, addresses, schools, etc.) on public posts.
• Be aware that public posts make your link searchable across the internet. Caregivers should review all online orders before accepting.
• Girls should never respond to direct messages from unknown accounts.
• GSUSA and GSSJC may disable links for safety, inventory issues, or viral activity.
• You may share traditional booth locations online – just follow all social media guidelines.
Examples: Facebook Personal Page, X, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube
Examples: Facebook, X, or Whats App neighborhood/ community groups
but no taking orders and no order links
not permittedNo, not permitted
Examples: Facebook Marketplace; Facebook Buy/Trade Groups; Craigslist, eBay, Amazon, Nextdoor No, not permittedNo, not permitted
not permitted
starting on Feb.13.
not permitted No, not permitted
Girls and adults should follow the Cookie Family Guide, along with all GSSJC and GSUSA guidelines, to ensure a safe, fair, and successful cookie season. If you have any questions, talk to your troop cookie manager. Girl Scouts agree to:
• Follow the Girl Scout Promise and Law and follow all GSSJC guidelines and cookie program rules.
• Begin selling cookies no earlier than to Feb. 7.
• Use order cards beginning Feb. 7 for workplace, school, or my place of worship orders.
• Dress neatly in appropriate Girl Scout attire.
• Be respectful to others, property, and booth locations.
• Clean up all trash, including empty cookie cases from all booth sites.
• Listen to and follow instructions from troop leaders and adults in charge.
• Avoid roughhousing, running, loud voices, or inappropriate language.
• Never share personal information (last name, address, phone number) to customers. Instead, refer them to an adult volunteer.
• Be a sister to every Girl Scout.
• To ensure a safe, fair, and fun cookie season, parents and caregivers agree to: Follow the Girl Scout Promise and Law and all GSSJC and GSUSA guidelines.
• Ensure their Girl Scout does not sell cookies before Feb. 7.
• Treat all Girl Scout volunteers with respect and kindness.
• Be financially responsible for all cookies received and pay by the deadline set by the troop cookie manager
• Respect booth partners and their property; clean up all trash and empty cases from the cookie booth site and dispose of them at home.
• Support their Girl Scout’s learning while recognizing this is her business.
• Only set up a cookie booth approved by the council.
• Be courteous to other troops by starting and ending booths on time.
• Ensure their Girl Scout has a successful time selling Girl Scout Cookies!
Rewards and experiences are cumulative. Girls earn the recognitions plus the experiences based on their sales level. Experiences marked with an asterisk (*) require a parent/guardian or adult chaperone to accompany the Girl Scout at no additional cost.
Rewards and experiences are cumulative. Girls earn the recognitions plus the experiences based on their sales level. Experiences marked with an asterisk (*) require a parent/guardian or adult chaperone to accompany the Girl Scout at no additional cost.
15+ pkgs. of cookies sold
Cookie Techie patch 12 pkgs. of cookies sold via online direct-shipped.
Cookie Share patch 12 pkgs. of cookies donated through Cookie Share
Sell door-to-door with your troop during National Girl Scout Cookie Weekend (Feb. 20-22). Patches can be retrieved at GS shops.
Rewards are subject to change.
Rewards are subject to change.
Mood cup and puffy stickers 55-99 pkgs. of
Mood cup and puffy stickers
55-99 pkgs. of cookies sold
Stuffed squishy ferret buddy
300-349 pkgs. of cookies sold
Cloud slime with charm and sprinkles 100-149 pkgs. of cookies sold cookies sold
Cosmetic bag and ferret charm 350-399 pkgs. of cookies sold
Sleepover set 400-499 pkgs. of cookies sold
Converse custom shoes 1250-1499 pkgs. of cookies sold
200-249 pkgs. of cookies sold
Adventure kit 500-749 pkgs. of cookies sold
blanket and 32 oz. mood grip bottle 750-999 pkgs. of cookies sold
Tumbler pouch and topper 250-299 pkgs. of cookies sold
May 1-2, May 2-3, May 15-16 or May 16-17
pkgs. of cookies sold
Wolf Pass at Great Wolf Lodge* 1500-2025 pkgs. of cookies sold
Create your own jewelry at Kendra Scott and 2026 patch 2026-2999 pkgs. of cookies sold
Create your own jewelry at Kendra Scott and 2026 patch 2026-2999 pkgs. of cookies sold
Platinum dining credit at Great Wolf Lodge* 3000-3999 pkgs. of cookies sold
$500 credit toward a week of overnight camp 4000+ pkgs. of cookies
$500 credit toward a week of overnight camp 4000+ pkgs. of cookies sold