Troop Cookie Manager Guidebook
Skip to:
- Overview of Your Essential Duties
- Goal Setting and Family Cookie Business Meeting
- Ways to Sell Cookies
- Cookie Rewards and Patch Programs
- Cookie Finances and Money
- Cookie Inventory Management
- Initial Cookie Orders and Deliveries
- Cookie Cupboards
- Online Cookie Systems: Smart Cookies and Digital Cookie
- Summary of Resources
Overview of Your Essential Duties
As a troop cookie manager, your main role is to oversee the Cookie Program, including running the troop family cookie business meeting, helping Girl Scouts to set goals, managing cookie inventory, and distributing rewards. Bookmark Cookie Central for your cookie resources: cupboard schedules, online training, Online Cookie Systems Guide, real-time updates and more.
Read The Cookie Press
This weekly e-newsletter contains all the timely information you need when you need it.
The Cookie Press is sent to your inbox each Thursday. It’s packed with reminders, alerts, and sales instructions to keep you going. And of course, always feel free to reach out to your community product leader. They are here to help you along the way!
Distribute Materials
Your community product leader will distribute these materials to you:
Resources for You to Keep:
Troop Cookie Companion (PDF)
Receipt booklets
Cookie Booth Kit
One package of sample cookies
Resources to Hand Out to Your Troop (One Per Girl):
Money envelope
Order card (additional order cards can be provided if needed)
Connect with your community product leader to obtain additional items if you've added members to your troop.
Refer to your Troop Cookie Companion (PDF), which will feature an annual update of the key dates and your troop checklist.
Work with Girls and Families
The best part of being a troop cookie manager is that you work directly with your troop on achieving their goals and developing smart business skills. The Girl Scout Cookie Program is no joke when it comes to training on the essential—but sometimes tough—decisions that come with running a business. One big part of that is managing their cookie inventory, including knowing when to pass that inventory along to another seller, and seeing if someone else can take on additional inventory.
Manage Online Cookie Systems
Smart Cookies is your online cookie management assistant during the program. It’s where you sign up for booths, order cookies, transfer cookies, order rewards, and review your troop finances. Almost everything you do will connect back to Smart Cookies in some way.
Digital Cookie is used by Girl Scouts and their families to engage in online cookie sales. Troop volunteers will also have access to Digital Cookie to monitor online sales. Once your site is activated, you can download the Digital Cookie mobile app to take payments on the go at cookie booths and other troop-focused sales.
Distribute Girl Rewards
The main benefit of the Cookie Program is the opportunity to learn and practice skills, but we all know Girl Scouts are super excited to have their hard work recognized by receiving their rewards. Rewards arrive in May to your community product leader. They will contact you to arrange a day and time when you can pick up these highly anticipated items.
Set Goals
One of the most important lessons learned through selling Girl Scout Cookies is how to set and reach goals. It’s one of the five key skills learned through participating in the Cookie Program.
Tips for Setting Troop Goals
Brainstorm with the troop what they want to do with their cookie proceeds. What would that cost? How many cookies will they need to sell to make it happen? Once they have settled on a goal, discuss what they will need to do to reach it. Report out progress towards the goal throughout the sale to keep them motivated.
For returning troops, review your previous year's sales or look at the recommendation in the cookie calculator. Discuss with your troop how they would like to adjust their goal for this season.
For new troops, use cookiecalculator.org to review a recommendation based on your troop’s Girl Scout grade level (Daisies, Brownies, etc.). Questions? Connect with your community product leader for advice.
Tips for Individual Setting Goals
Discuss individual goals with each member of the troop. Do they feel the goal is achievable?
How do they plan to reach the goal? What skills do they hope to grow and develop? Did they participate last year? Share their sales information from last year. Do they have a reward level they're motivated to achieve? Reflect on their experiences selling in the previous season and how things may be different this season, get a feel for them and their family’s comfort level.
Are they new to cookies? What are ways they feel comfortable selling? Are they aware of the rewards and want to earn certain items?
Include the parents/guardians! Do they agree with the goal? Is it realistic? The Family Cookie Business Meeting is the time to make sure parents/guardians are on board with the goals.
Host A Family Cookie Business Meeting
Family Cookie Business Meetings are essential for your troop. They help provide a foundation of understanding and agreement for both volunteers and families. Schedule a time in January for Girl Scouts and their families join with the troop leaders to review the Cookie Program and discuss their goals, share best methods for staying in contact, and agree on roles and responsibilities. Use the Cookie Business Meeting Activity Plan to prepare for and hold this important meeting.
Meeting Activity Ideas
Connect with your troop and families to determine whether you will host your family meeting in-person or virtually.
Direct families to the online Family Cookie Responsibility Form and open the meeting up to questions and clarifications. Provide families with your email address to enter in the form. You will receive an email each time the form is completed. Inventory cannot be given to a family until this form is completed.
Share the Girl Rewards Flyer (PDF) with the troop.
Discuss and encourage volunteer opportunities with parents/guardians such as initial order pickup, cookie sorting, and cookie booth supervision.
Share important dates and review the program calendar.
Share if the Community is hosting a Cookie Rally and the information on the council virtual Cookie Rally.
Establish a cookie calendar with the families so they are aware when they need to report any additional cookie needs to you, when you will be able to transfer cookies, etc.
Review the information in the Family Guide (PDF) and write in the cookie return date. This is the date when families can return unsold inventory to the troop. The remaining cookies then can be redistributed to others or used for final, additional sales (like a final Cookie Booth).
Cookie Rally
There’s nothing like a pep fest to get Girl Scouts pumped about participating in the Cookie Program. That’s exactly what a Cookie Rally is for! Check with your community product leader to see if a local Cookie Rally will be held either in-person or virtually. Check out more details in The Cookie Press on our council-sponsored Cookie Rally.
We know flexibility and options are important, so we’ve created sales channels, tips, and resources to help them reach their goal, whether that's through a computer screen or in person. Here’s a few ideas to review with your troop:
Door-to-door Sales
Door-to-door sales are the keystone to the Cookie Program’s success with lots of neighbors eagerly awaiting a Girl Scout to come knocking at their door! Girl Scouts can leave a doorhanger or business card or ask customers to scan a QR code for online payment and delivery. With the individual sales link (QR code), neighbors can scan, order, and pay online to make a porch drop-off a breeze!
Workplace Sales
Parent/guardian workplaces provide a great selling opportunity. To keep it girl-led, a personal statement should be written that can be left with the order card or send co-workers an email. The personal statement gives the customer the chance to learn more about what their cookie purchase is going towards. After orders are completed, encourage your Girl Scout to write a thank you note or help in delivering cookies. Working from home? Cookie sellers can draft an email with their link for shipped cookie orders or porch drop-off and parents/guardians can send it to their coworkers.
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 shipped cookie order.
Business-to-business (B2b & Community) Sales
A lot of businesses are 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, restaurants could add a package of cookies to their take-out orders, 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!
Cookie Booths
Selling as a group not only develops individual skills, it also teaches troops how to work together as a team. Whether it's virtual, in a store front, or at home Cookie Stand style, 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!
Online Sales
Through the Girl Scout's unique Digital Cookie sales link, customers can choose the shipped cookie option to have cookies shipped right to their door or have them delivered by the Girl Scout and their parent/guardian with the local delivery option. Online sales allow customers and sellers (Girl Scouts) to connect more easily than they ever could before. Did you know? Girl Scouts that use Digital Cookie to power their sales sell 190 packages more than those that don't use this powerful tool.
Girl Scouts may use the Internet and social media sites to share their Cookie Program sales link as long as they follow Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA)’s guidelines around online marketing. These guidelines are available on Cookie Central: Cookie Program Digital Sales & Social Media Policy.
Cookie Share Donations
Giving back to the community is what Girl Scouts is all about. That’s why we have two great ways our customers can give directly to their local communities through the power of cookies.
Girl Scouts River Valleys-donated cookies: Cookies donated directly to community organizations such as: food pantries, school lunch programs, the American Red Cross, and more. Girl Scouts simply collect money from customers and Girl Scouts River Valleys facilitates getting the cookies to our partner organizations.
Troop-donated cookies: Troops select a nonprofit organization such as their local food shelf, hospital, faith organization, or shelter for which to donate cookies. It’s up to them to learn about their local services and make philanthropic business decisions.
GSUSA Cookie Finder
Each season, customers will be able to use the Cookie Finder to search for Girl Scout Cookies in our area. The Cookie Finder is featured on our website and at girlscouts.org. Customers enter their zip code in the Find Cookies field. Then, they'll view a list of in-person booths within their search radius. Starting National Girl Scout Cookie Weekend, customers will also be able to view troop-shipped cookie links for orders to place online for shipment to their homes. Set up your troop's shipped only cookie link in Digital Cookie to be included in this opportunity. The list of troops sales links rotates between all participating troops in the zip code. Your troop is credited for these sales generated from this link.
Cookie Booths
Cookie Booths are any sales that troops participate in together. This can be in public businesses, on private property, or virtually. They are either arranged by Girl Scouts River Valleys (council-secured) or by the troop (troop-secured). Cookie Booths are a great way for your troop to learn how to work and set goals together.
Check out the Cookie Booth Guide for everything you need to know about selling as a group.
Rewards and Cookie Credits
The main benefit of the Cookie Program are the skills learned, but we all know that Girl Scouts are super excited to have their hard work recognized and receive their rewards. Rewards include fun items like hoodies, patches, t-shirts, and the highly sought-after mascot plush. At select levels, cookie sellers can choose to receive either the reward item or Cookie Credits to cover other costs like camp, events, shop items, their Girl Scout membership fee, and more! We offer Troop PGA rewards if troops reach certain PGA (per girl average) sales levels. The PGA is calculated by taking the total number of packages sold and dividing it by the number of individuals selling in the troop. Troops can earn these extra rewards at three PGA levels. Watch for more details on these rewards and how they are tracked in Smart Cookies in The Cookie Press.
Cookie Badges
When meeting with your cookie sellers, set aside some time to look over the program badges (PDF) that are associated with entrepreneurship. The five business skills are a core component of the Cookie Program, and Girl Scouts can wear these badges with pride. These badges will be available in all River Valleys Shop locations.
Girl Scouts River Valleys Patch Programs
The LemonAID Program
We are offering sellers the chance to give back instead of picking an item at a reward level. With the LemonAID Program, Girl Scouts can choose to support a local non-profit organization. For some, this is their first taste of philanthropy and the opportunity to give back. Those who choose to support the LemonAID organization of the year will earn a special patch to wear on their vest/sash. You’ll make the choice in Smart Cookies when you order the rest of the rewards in April.
The Cookie Share Program
When Girl Scouts sell 20 or more packages for donation to benefit the Cookie Share Program, they’ll earn a special patch. This includes donations from both troop inventory and council inventory.
Other Cookie Patch Programs
Each year we feature even more opportunities to flex your cookie-selling skills and earn a special patch or a sweet prize for your troop. Watch for these annual updates in your cookie materials and in The Cookie Press. Share the opportunity to participate with all members of your troop.
Cookie Proceeds
Troops earn $1 in proceeds for each package sold. Senior and Ambassador troops can choose to opt-out of rewards and receive an additional $.05 per package. Girl Scout Juliettes earn Juliette Program Credits instead of troop proceeds. The Juliette Program Credits are based on a range of packages sold.
How cookie money works:
- The troop gets cookies from the Initial Order, a Cookie Cupboard, or from another troop. Once the troop receives these cookies, they are financially responsible for them.
- Participating Girl Scouts receive cookies that they plan to sell from their troop. Document this transaction in Smart Cookies by transferring these cookies to the Girl Scout.
- Girl Scouts and families then sell the cookies and collect payment from customers. They will then give all of the payments back to their troop. Families must have 50% or more of the total money due turned in before being provided with more cookies. Receipts must be provided for all cookie and money transactions. Families should retain copies of all receipts provided by the troop. Families can use approved mobile payment services when paying troops for their cookie inventory.
For troops that participate only in shipped cookie sales using Digital Cookie, no physical inventory or money is collected.
Digital Cookie Mobile Payments: When using the Digital Cookie mobile app, troops and individual sellers receive credit for the payment and financial transactions are created for the sales. Customer credit card/Venmo/Paypal payments from Digital Cookie can be viewed in the Orders tab for both Girl Scout and Troop transactions. You can also view credit card payments in Smart Cookies in the Finances tab under Financial Transactions, and on the Troop Balance or Girl Balance Summary Reports.
Bank Deposits
Troops deposit all cookie money into their troop’s bank account. Girl Scouts River Valleys will withdraw council proceeds via an Automated Clearing House (ACH) withdrawal twice during the season. You'll be responsible for ensuring the troop bank account information is in Smart Cookies, there are enough funds in the troop account, and to deposit all money at least three days before the ACH date.
Bank Deposit Process for Girl Scout Juliettes
Girl Scout Juliettes are individually registered girl members. Juliettes deposit their total sales into Girl Scouts River Valleys’ Wells Fargo account using special encoded council deposit slips. These slips will be mailed to the Juliette's adult mentor before Cookie Go Day.
Returned Checks or Bank Fees
If your troop encounters returned checks (a check deposited into the troop account had non-sufficient funds to cover the funds) or incurs bank fees due to high deposit activity, please see the Finance/Inventory Issue Form and FAQs on Cookie Central for information on how to request ACH reimbursement.
End-of-sale Banking
Finance/Inventory Issue Forms
You may encounter a few clean-up tasks at the end of the sale. If you do, complete a Finance/ Inventory Issue Form by the deadline. Here are a few examples of tasks that require this form to be completed to alert our staff so we can assist you with the issue.
Excess (Unsold) Troop Inventory
At the end of the sale, your troop may have excess (unsold) packages that you’re planning to sell to friends and family. If your excess (unsold) cookies affect your ability to finalize payment to council, complete the form to request additional time to sell the inventory. The troop is still financially responsible for these cookies and by filing a Finance/ Inventory Issue Form you are only extending the amount of time you have to settle with Girl Scouts River Valleys.
Unpaid Cookies
If families have unsold packages, they will need to assume financial responsibility for them. Please review the online Family Cookie Responsibility Form to see more about this topic. Completing the Finance/Inventory Issue Form will ensure your troop is not financially impacted by the family cookie debt.
Stolen Product/Money or Counterfeit Money Received
If families or troops have product/money stolen or receive counterfeit funds, complete the Finance/ Inventory Issue Form to request reimbursement. Note: additional documentation from troops is required for these issues.
Troops that participate exclusively in shipped only sales will receive their troop proceeds through an ACH deposit into the troop bank account after the sale has ended.
Here are Three Ways to Get Cookies:
#1 Initial Cookie Order
If your troop is participating in the in-person sales, you’ll want to place an initial order. Placing an initial order means your troop will have cookies in-hand on Go Day so they start selling and deliver cookies to customers right away.
#2 Cookie Cupboards
Cookie cupboards are places where cookies are stored, and they open once the sale has started. Your troop can gather orders from customers, tally up what cookies you need, and then head to a cupboard to get the cookies. You can make as many trips to the cupboards as you need.
#3 From Other Troops
Troops can transfer cookies to other troops, both inside and outside of your Community. To connect with troops outside of your service unit, check out the Cookie Swap Rallies in Rallyhood. This is a great way to manage troop inventory, so anyone with too many of one kind can share with others who don’t have enough. This can also be a great way to get cookies when cupboards are closed.
Tips For Managing Your Troop’s Cookies Along The Way
Maintain Good Receipts and Records
Always issue receipts any time that cookies or money are exchanged with families. Review your transfers in Smart Cookies from cookie cupboard visits through the end of the sale, just in case of issues.
Schedule a Weekly Check-In Time with Families
Sunday evenings are a good time so that you can plan the upcoming week. You can talk about what you expect from them at your Family Cookie Business Meeting. Tools like a troop Facebook page, shared Google Doc, or Rallyhood are ways to gather your families cookie needs (if they need more to fill orders, or if they have too many cookies).
Assist in Moving Cookie Inventory Between Girl Scouts
With your eagle-eye view, you’ll know the best connections to make between families to get everyone to their selling goal. Establish a day/ time each week when inventory can be transferred between the families and the troop.
Have the Families Agree on a Return Date
Agree on a date that all unsold cookies will be returned to the troop. Write this date in the Family Guide (PDF). Remind them that they will be financially responsible for cookies they have on hand after this date.
Remind Families that Cookies Must Be Kept in Sellable Condition
Let them know that they should be stored in secure areas free of extreme temperature changes, pests, smoke, or other damaging effects. The troop has the right to refuse cookies from a family that do not meet quality standards.
Have Extra Cookies?
Troop-to-troop Transfers
To help fellow volunteers connect and use each other as a resource, Girl Scouts River Valleys created Cookie Swap Rallies in Rallyhood.
Use The Cookie Swap Rally To:
Find troops around or outside your city who may need additional cookies. This works well for any remaining packages left in your troop’s inventory.
Find cookies on days a cookie cupboard may not be open.
Remember, it's part of the Girl Scout Law to use resources wisely! Your troop can help a troop that may have excess troop inventory.
Connect with Your Community Product Leader
Your local community product leader is ready to help! They can assist in connecting you with other troops in the community looking for cookies to initiate a transfer. Chances are, they'll have a system already set up to connect troops looking for cookies to troops that have extra inventory.
Cookie Share Donations
We often hear that the donation program is an excellent way to use any unsold inventory at the end of the sale. Monetary donations can be collected by individual Girl Scouts or by the troop at cookie booths. You'll total up the donations collected at the end of the sale to determine the number of packages from your remaining inventory you can donate to the organization selected by your troop.
Initial Cookie Order
Placing an initial cookie order helps your troop(s) have the inventory you need on-hand for Cookie Go Day. But wait, there's more! Placing an initial order assists your troop in getting the sale started on the right foot. You'll get cookies in time to transition inventory to families before Cookie Go Day. Plus, you can order cookies for your first rounds of booth sales too. That may save you a trip to the cupboard on opening weekend.
If your troop is participating in Cookie Booths or in-person sales, you can hold back 20-30% of the initial order to save as troop inventory. Does the troop have several Cookie Booths scheduled for the start of the sale? You can order cookies for these booths with your troop initial order.
When your troop places an initial order and follows the case count recommendation from the Cookie Calculator, each Girl Scout selling will receive a special patch. The Cookie Calculator is a resource you can use to determine your troop's initial order, The calculator provides a recommendation for an initial cookie order, based on troop PGA (per girl average) and the historical sales by cookie variety for our council. Note: the Cookie Calculator will provide a recommendation in cases for each variety. When you place your initial cookie order in Smart cookies, it is also made in full cases. There are 12 packages of cookies in each case.
Reminder: After receiving an initial inventory, families must have 50% or more of the total money due turned in before being provided with more cookies.
What to Expect for Your Initial Order Delivery
Once Girl Scout Cookies are ordered, it’s time to plan for delivery. If you haven’t yet seen a cookie delivery, it’s quite a sight! Dozens of semis deliver tens of thousands of cases of cookies to our council. We call this first big delivery the initial order delivery, and there are two types: Mini Drop and Mega Drop. You can find out if your community has a Mini or Mega Drop from your community product leader or on Cookie Central.
Mini Drops
Mini Drops are primarily located in smaller communities. At these deliveries, all the cookies for the community (service unit) are delivered to one location at one time. Your community product leader will confirm the date, time, and location and share it with you.
Mega Drops
Mega Drops are located mostly in the Twin Cities metro and other larger communities. Individual troops sign up for a location and time during the initial order process. It’s like a drive-thru for cookies! You’ll move through a lane and stop at each cookie station. For troops that participate in a Mega Drop, you'll sign up for a day, time, and location in Smart Cookies.
Whichever Type of Delivery Your Troop is Assigned to, Your Role Includes:
Arranging for pickup of the initial order.
Printing the order confirmation to bring to the delivery location to confirm totals.
Verifying the cookie totals by variety at both the delivery location and again before distributing to families.
Contacting Girl Scouts River Valleys within 24 hours of initial order pickup about any miscounts or damages.
Setting a day and time for families to pick up their inventory.
Issuing receipts to families of total cookies picked up, by variety of cookie.
Cookie Cupboards
Cookie cupboards are physical locations where the cookies are stored. Typically, they’re local warehouses and/or homes of volunteers that are gracious enough to host them. This is where you can pick up additional cookies and replace damaged product.
Types of Cookie Cupboards
- Council Cupboards: These are located in metro areas (Twin Cities, Mankato, and Rochester) and are open to all troops.
- Council Express: There are also two Council Express Cupboards that require a planned order each week. These cupboards are located at our delivery agent warehouses. The addresses and hours of operation will be shared on Cookie Central and in The Cookie Press. (Note: Council Express Cupboards will not operate during the 2025 cookie season.)
- Regional: Assigned to troops in community without proximity to a council cookie cupboard. These are usually held at a volunteer’s home. Troops must place a planned order through Smart Cookies each week.
- Regional Express: Similar to the regional cookie cupboard, these are assigned to troops in community that are not within close proximity to a council cookie cupboard. Note: These cupboards close after the third week of the sale.
Tips for a Smooth Cupboard Experience
Each cupboard location varies in accessibility and traffic flow, so be sure to review the cupboard information on the volunteer website. To make your cupboard experience go smoother, follow these important steps:
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Remove obstacles from your vehicle to ensure it is ready to be loaded.
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Have your order organized and ready to go before you are greeted by the cupboard staff.
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Check out the Inventory Dashboard on Cookie Central (especially near the end of the sale) to ensure the Council Cupboard is stocked with the cookie flavor(s) you’re looking for.
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Stay in your vehicle for the entire visit. Cupboard staff will approach your vehicle and take your order. The cupboard staff will also confirm the order with you and load the cookies into your vehicle. The cookies will be transferred to your troop in Smart Cookies.
Other Important Notes
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The gluten-free Caramel Chocolate Chip cookies are not guaranteed to be in stock at any cupboard location.
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The Rochester and Mankato council cupboards are located in smaller spaces and do not carry the same volume as the cupboards in the Twin Cities metro area.
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The troop contacts in Smart Cookies will receive an email when cookies are transferred to the troop from a cupboard.
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No returns of cookies will be accepted.
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Damaged cookie packages can be exchanged for non-damaged packages of the same variety at cookie cupboards during the sale.
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In March, a cookie exchange period will be announced in The Cookie Press. Only full, bakery-sealed cases will be eligible for exchange during this timeframe. Gluten-free Caramel Chocolate Chip cookies are not exchangeable.
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Troops can review the cookie cupboard information in The Cookie Press and on Cookie Central. Watch for these details before Cookie Go Day.
Planned Orders
All Regional, Regional Express, and Council Express Cupboards will require a planned order. Log into Smart Cookies and place a planned cookie order pickup to ensure you have the exact amount of cookies you need when you need them.
These orders are due Monday mornings by 7:00 am. For regional and regional express cupboards, refer to your cupboard’s hours of operation for pickup.
Deliveries, if needed, will occur on Thursday or Friday each week to these locations. For Council Express Cupboards refer to The Cookie Press or visit Cookie Central for planned order deadlines and hours of operation.
What Is Smart Cookies?
Smart Cookies is the online platform, hosted by ABC Bakers, Use Smart Cookies to:
Manage troop inventory from the initial order & cupboard pickup’s
Select cookie booths
Transfer cookies to other troops
Track troop finances
Submit planned orders (for select cupboards)
Order rewards
At the start of the season, two registered troop volunteers and all registered Girl Scouts will be uploaded to Smart Cookies. An email will be sent to the troop volunteers in mid-December inviting you to complete registration. If you see someone is missing, anyone can be added by contacting Girl Scouts River Valleys. To protect the troop finances, anyone added to Smart Cookies must be registered Girl Scout members.
After you receive your registration email, log into Smart Cookies, and enter your number of Girl Scouts selling under troop information. Verify your troop’s bank account information in Smart Cookies.
Check out the Online Cookie Systems Guide on Cookie Central for instructions and videos for almost anything in Smart Cookies.
What Is Digital Cookie?
Digital Cookie (digitalcookie.girlscouts.org) is used primarily by Girl Scouts and their families to engage in online cookie sales. Troop volunteers will also have access to the system before Girl Scouts. In your troop cookie volunteer role, most of the work you’ll do will be in Smart Cookies. However, using your Digital Cookie account will be necessary for a few functions. Look for our Online Cookie Systems Guide for Volunteers and the Digital Cookie Help Center for Girl Scouts/Families on Cookie Central for resources on how to navigate the systems. Plus, Digital Cookie features videos, tip sheets, and a Help section built right into the site.
Troop Site Lead
The first time a leader or cookie volunteer for the Troop logs into their volunteer role in Digital Cookie, they will see a place to begin the process of setting up sales links for your troop. You will be asked to enter a zip code for your Troop. You will also select a name from the drop-down of one of the volunteers form the troop to serve in the role of the "troop site lead". This volunteer will be responsible for working with the troop to set up the troop site. The troop site lead can be changed at any time. If you’ve assigned yourself as the site lead, your dashboard will be updated to look similar to the Girl Scout dashboard. You’ll complete the same process to register the site like a Girl Scout. Once the site is published and online sales have begun, you will view two links: "Troop site link" and the "Troop ship only link". You must set up the troop site in a web browser before you can download and utilize the Digital Cookie mobile app.
In-Person & Booth payments are made with CREDIT CARDS/VENMO/PAYPAL in Digital Cookie
The Digital Cookie app (available on iPhone and Android) allows Girl Scouts to take credit card payments for cookie orders. You must set up the "troop site" on a web browser before downloading the Digital Cookie app. You’ll use the same email and password as your login with the Digital Cookie app.
Don’t forget: Girl Scouts River Valleys will cover the credit card processing fees for payments made through Digital Cookie. Troop volunteers can also take these payments using your Digital Cookie app at cookie booths. Find the step-by-step instructions in the Digital Cookie Guide for Volunteers on Cookie Central.
Find the step-by-step instructions in the Online Cookie Systems Guide on Cookie Central.
Summary of Resources
Documents for Downloading and Printing
Troop Cookie Companion (PDF) - Use this guide to help you when planning a cookie rally. At your rally you can use the activity guides included in this resource.
Cookie Business Meeting Presentation (PDF) and/or Cookie Business Meeting Presentation (PPTX)– Our pre-made presentation includes all of the information that families should know about participating in the Cookie Program. Feel free to use this as the basis of your virtual cookie business meeting.
Cookie Rally Guide - Use this guide to help you when planning a cookie rally. At your rally you can use the activity guides included in this resource.
Cookie Business Meeting Tip Sheet (PDF) – Use this to help plan your meeting.
Cookie Booth Sales Kit - This kit of Girl Scout Cookie booth reaources is shipped in envelopes to all community product leaders who then coordinate with troops to pick them up.
Cookie Program Family Guide (PDF) - Join in on the tradition, make memories, practice your skills, and be part of something great! With the support, assistance, and encouragement of their family, there’s no stopping a Girl Scout!
Cookie Program Badges and Pins (PDF) - When Girl Scouts sell Girl Scout Cookies, they practice-goal setting, decision making, money management, people skills, and business ethics—as they learn to think like an entrepreneur. They ca earn badges and pins each year they run their own Girl Scout Cookie business.
Community/Area Initial Order Delivery Assignments (PDF) - Find out if your community/area has a mini or mega drop of Girl Scout Cookies.
Girl Rewards Flyer (PDF) - Share the Girl Rewards Flyer (PDF) with the troop.
Links
- Key Dates – View key Cookie Program dates for this year.
- Meet the Cookies – From iconic favorites to the newest varieties, check out the cookies available this season.
- Troop Family Business Meeting Two: Cookies – Cookie Business Meetings are critical to the success of the program. They help provide a foundation of understanding and agreement for both volunteers and families–it’s a great time to talk about the upcoming Cookie Program, set goals, and agree on roles and responsibilities.
- Cookie Central – Your one-stop hub for all things cookies.
- The Cookie Press – Read The Cookie Press blog for up-to-date information about Girl Scout cookie program training, initial orders, cookie booths, rewards, Smart Cookies and more.
- Rewards – Set your selling goal based on the items you’d like to earn. Rewards are cumulative, which means you will earn rewards at every level you reach. The more you sell, the more you earn!
- Troop Cookie Manager Responsibility Form – Each troop cookie manager must fully read and acknowledge understanding of their role requirements and responsibilities prior to participating in the Girl Scout Cookie Program, Service unit cookie managers will receive a copy for your records.
- Family Cookie Responsibility Form – Each participating Girl Scout family must read and acknowledge understanding of the adult/family responsibilities and cookie sale procedures prior to participating in the Girl Scout Cookie Program, including cookie booths. You will be asked to provide your troop leader's or cookie manager's email address in order to notify them of completion.
- Cookie Program Training – Learn more about in-person and online training opportunities for Cookie Program volunteers in addition to the PowerPoint presentation you can use to train your troops.
- Cookie Program Policies – Learn more about policies for Cookie Program volunteers and Girl Scout families.
- Troop Cookie Manager Guidebook – Troop leaders and troop cookie manager's guide to all things cookies! Review each section for the basics of the Girl Scouts River Valleys Cookie Program.
- abcSmartCookies.com – Smart Cookies is the online platform that will help you and your troops through all the phases of the cookie program.
- Smart Cookies Guide – Use these step-by-step tutorials to guide you through the Smart Cookies platform.
- Digital Cookie Guide for Volunteers – Digital Cookie is the system used by troop volunteers to monitor online sales, set up and share troop online sales links for shipped cookie orders and virtual booth sales, send cheers to troop members, process booth credit card payments (on the mobile app), and if needed, refund online orders for customers. In this article you will find instructions on the tasks a volunteer needs to know to successfully utilize their Digital Cookie platform.
- Cookie Finder – Set your selling goal based on the items you’d like to earn. Rewards are cumulative, which means you will earn rewards at every level you reach. The more you sell, the more you earn!
- Cookie Cupboards – Find information about cookie cupboards including addresses, operating dates & hours, printable drive-up directions, and inventory alerts.
- Cookie Cupboard FAQs – Reference these frequently asked questions around cookie cupboards and planned orders.
- Initial Cookie Order – Find information about initial cookie orders including how to place an initial order, steps to earn the initial order patch, delivery assignments and deadlines.
- CookieCalculator.org – Direct troops to use this online resource to estimate what size initial cookie order to place.
- Cookie Booth Sales – Find more information and resources related to cookie booths.
- Cookie Donations – Find more information and resources related to cookie booths.
- Cookie Swap Instructions – Reference this resource to learn how to use the Cookie Swap for transferring cookie inventory between troops.
- How Cookie Money Works – This article for troop leaders, cookie managers and families outlines how cookie money works throughout the cookie program including a timeline and tips for handling money.
- Automated Clearing House (ACH) FAQs – These frequently asked questions will help you understand situations that require a withdrawal or credit to troop bank accounts.
- Cookie Credits, Fall FUNds, and Juliette Program Credit Reimbursement Form – Girl Scouts earn Cookie Credits from the Cookie Program, Fall FUNds from the Fall FUNDraiser. In addition, Juliette Girl Scouts earn Juliette Program Credits for both programs. Each of these program credits can be used to help pay for day camp, resident camp, Girl Scout Gold and Silver Award projects, and other Girl Scout activities. In the spirit of planning, girls should make decisions as to how they will use their Cookie Credits and Fall FUNds—whether for their own use or for the benefit of the troop.
- Finance/Inventory Issue Form – Use this form to report any financial issue that occurred during the cookie season. Submission deadlines and FAQs are included.
- Girl Scout Finance Report – To be eligible for the community/area proceeds, this form must be completed, and at least one community/area product leader must have completed cookie training.
- Cookie Swap Instructions – Reference this resource to learn how to use the Cookie Swap for transferring cookie inventory between troops.
- Facebook.com/GSRVPP – Join the Girl Scouts River Valleys Product Program Volunteers Facebook group to connect with other Cookie Program volunteers.
