Resources for Girls & Families | Girl Scouts of Western Ohio

The largest girl-led entrepreneurship program in the world.

When she participates in the Girl Scout Cookie Program, she gains lifelong skills, fun rewards, and troop proceeds to fuel her next adventure. The tools and resources provided will help you select the level of participation and contact that’s comfortable for your family. Your Girl Scout will have a successful cookie program no matter how she participates.

The Power of Cookies!

Before diving into all the cookie resources, let's take a moment to appreciate the awesome things that happen when girls participate in the Girl Scout Cookie Program!

Did you know that 100% of the proceeds from the Girl Scout Cookie Program stays local, within Girl Scouts of Western Ohio? That means every package is packed with sweet, sweet benefits that help fund exciting programs and camps. Plus, troops directly receive funds for their own goals and plans. So, let your cookie fans know when they're purchasing a box of cookies from your troop; they're investing in an amazing cause.

100% of proceeds stays local!

Meet the Cookies

Check out all the delicious cookie varieties and get nutritional information.

Cookie Allergen

Learn more about the ingredients and allergy information in the cookie varieties.

Cookie Family Guide

The perfect resource to help you and your Girl Scout navigate the cookie program.

VIEW NOW!

Getting Started with the Cookie Program

The 2026 Girl Scout Cookie Program begins Wednesday, January 7, and runs through March 29. Whether this is your first time participating or you're a seasoned pro, the resources below will help you and your Girl Scout prepare to run your cookie business.

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Caregiver Agreement

As the caregiver granting your Girl Scout permission to participate in the GSWO Cookie Program, you agree to the following terms and conditions:

I will ensure that my Girl Scout always has adult guidance during the cookie program.
My Girl Scout will not collect cookie orders until January 7, 2026.
I will not collect payment from a customer until cookies are delivered (unless sold through Digital Cookie).
I will sign cookie receipts whenever cookies or money are exchanged with troop leadership. I understand that the signed cookie receipts will serve as my permission for your Girl Scout to participate in the Cookie Program.
I will submit all funds received for cookie payments of my Girl Scout’s cookie sales to the troop leadership by their required deadlines.
All cookies obtained for my Girl Scout’s sales will be picked up and paid for no later than March 29, 2026.
I understand that it is my responsibility to deliver all cookie orders, including orders for girl delivery from Digital Cookie, within two weeks of receiving the product.
I understand that I cannot return cookies once they are ordered by my troop.
I agree to accept full financial responsibility for all the cookies I sign for. If I need assistance, I will contact my troop leadership right away.
I understand that should any of my cookies or cookie money get lost, stolen, or damaged, I am still fully responsible for the product or funds.
I understand that if I do not pay the full amount of money due for cookies, I will be subject to further action, which may include legal action.

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Find quick answers to your cookie questions at GSUSA's Cookie FAQ or ABC Bakers FAQ.

What is the new Exploremores™ cookie?

Exploremores are rocky road ice cream–inspired sandwich cookies, filled with natural and artificial flavors of chocolate, marshmallow, and toasted almond flavored crème. They reflect the spirit of exploration at the heart of every Girl Scout.

Do Exploremores contain actual nuts?

Exploremores contain both natural and artificial flavors to deliver the best consumer taste experience. While the cookies do not contain almonds, they do contain peanut flour and other allergens (milk, soy, wheat).

Where can I find the ingredients and allergen information for the new Exploremores cookie?

The ingredients, nutritional profile, and allergen information for each cookie variety is clearly listed on both the cookie package and cookie order form. You can also find this information online by visiting the Meet the Cookies page on our website.

Talking With Your Girl about Palm Oil

Questions have been raised about the sustainability and labor practices used in palm oil production, which is used to make Girl Scout cookies—and almost all other consumer goods. ABC Bakers, our baker partner, is aware of and sensitive to concerns about the sustainability of palm oil production. The world’s food supply is intricately tied to the use of palm oil, which is an ingredient found in the majority of baked snacks sold in North America. Palm oil is used in many of the products on supermarket shelves, from margarine and chocolate to ice cream, soaps and cosmetics. It’s smooth and odorless, making it an ideal ingredient for baked goods. When ABC Bakers eliminated trans fats from their cookies, they evaluated a number of alternatives to partially hydrogenated soybean oil. To maintain product quality, they determined that palm oil was their best alternative, and they continue to evaluate other oils.

ABC Bakers is an official member of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO). From 2015 to 2020, all the palm oil used in ABC's Girl Scout cookies was sourced exclusively from RSPO members through RSPO Credits, which support sustainable palm oil production practices. In 2021, they completed the next step in their sustainable palm oil journey by elevating their certification of the palm oil used for Girl Scout Cookies to RSPO Certified Mass Balance palm oil. Working in partnership with their customers and suppliers, they continue to evolve their oil supply. This “Discover, Connect, Take Action” approach is exactly what Girl Scouts is about. The following discussion guide contains Girl Scout activities that broadly address “creating a sustainable world,” along with a link to a resource that provides more in-depth information and activities on palm oil issues. The GSWO team created this to support you and your girls as they take the first steps in exploring complex issues.

Girl Scout Guide to Global Issues: Sustainability

Why is palm oil used in Girl Scout Cookies?

Palm oil is an ingredient found in the majority of baked snacks sold in the United States. Per GSUSA's licensed bakers, it continues to be necessary to use palm oil in our cookies to ensure their shelf life, to bring you the highest quality products, and to serve as an alternative to trans fats. While we continue to explore other alternatives, at this time, there are no viable or readily available alternatives on the market.

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2026 Cookie Program Rewards Brochure

Girls participating in the Girl Scout Cookie Program will learn awesome skills they will use for the rest of their lives and earn rewards! Prepare for a cookie season packed with new adventures, and rewards. This year, it's easier than ever for girls to keep track of their progress and earn sweet recognitions with our more simplified rewards structure. Plus, troops earn much needed troop proceeds to help fund your troop's activities.

Check out our 2026 Cookie Program Rewards Lineup

NEW! Membership Reward

36 Packages = FREE 2026/2027 Membership + BFF Theme Patch!

Girl Scouts who sell 36 packages (just 3 cases!) will earn their Girl Scout membership for free—a $65 value! Earners will receive the Brave. Fierce. Fun! cookie program theme patch.

Girls who reach this level will receive their membership and patch, regardless of the optout option so all girls at this level will earn both! Base rate troop proceeds are not included on the first 36 packages sold per girl. With package 37, troops start receiving proceeds and every package from there on out contributes to your troop funds!

Girl Scout Shop Powered by Amazon

Welcome to the GSWO Shop powered by Amazon! At some reward levels, Girl Scouts will earn the chance to shop from a custom catalog of items hand-picked just for GSWO.

When selecting this reward option, Girl Scouts can:

Explore a special collection of items just for Girl Scouts
Choose what they love within their reward level
Have fun picking the reward that’s just right for them
Items are conveniently directly shipped to the earner

It’s a personalized way to celebrate their hard work and achievements! Check back for samples of reward options you'll find in our Amazon shop.

Cookie Rewards = Time at Camp

Girls that sell 2,026 packages of cookies and select camp credit in their rewards will receive a $200 camp credit! (Deposit is required based on the camp selected.) At the 700+, 1,000+, or 1,500+ package levels, Girl Scouts can choose an unforgettable program experience with GSWO.

Spooky Camp Adventures

At this reward level, girls will enoy spooky VIP fun in October with a special cookie twist at:

Spookybrook at Camp Stonybrook
Spookyhaven at Camp Woodhaven
Monster Mash at Camp Libbey

Girls Keep Shining: Glow Party

Girls selecting this reward option will be invited to spend the afternoon into the evening enjoying classic camp fun and outdoor adventures at Camp Stonybrook. The night will wrap up with an exclusive glow-themed celebration including music, glow sticks, neon colors, and black lights! It's a fun and safe way to honor how far they've come and just how brightly they shine! (date coming soon)

Cookie Cruise

Girls who choose this reward will embark on an unforgettable riverboat adventure! Set sail with JM Cruises in Toledo or BB Riverboats in Newport, KY, and enjoy 2 hours of food, fun, friendship, and exclusive Cookie Cruise swag. It’s the ultimate way to celebrate a successful cookie season—anchors aweigh!

BFF Plush + Club Cookie

At the 210 package level, girls won’t just earn their very own BFF, our adorable black-footed ferret mascot plush, they’ll also snag a spot in Club Cookie!

Members of Club Cookie get treated to surprise rewards and special opportunities all year long, including exclusive virtual programs, VIP access at select GSWO events, and sweet discounts on merch.

It’s the club every cookie boss wants to be in!

Digital Dough

At some reward levels, girls can opt for Digital Dough instead of a traditional reward. Digital Dough is a council digital gift card used to pay for service unit day camps, council-sponsored programs, in the shop, or next year's registration.

The electronic gift card numbers will be emailed to caregivers with redemption instructions by May 2026.

Digital Dough expires on March 15, 2027.

Redeem your Digital Dough

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We heard your feedback! New for the 2026 Cookie Season: when a Girl Scout sells 36 packages of cookies, she’ll earn a free Girl Scout membership for the 2027 Girl Scout membership year.

If a troop or girl opts out of rewards, does the free membership reward still apply or is it included in the opt-out?

Even if a troop opts out of all other rewards, the free membership reward will still be awarded to the Girl Scout who earns it and is not part of the opt-out program.

If girls are graduating seniors, can they use it toward an adult membership or their Lifetime membership?

Yes, graduating seniors can use the membership reward toward an adult or Lifetime membership, allowing them to continue their Girl Scout journey.

Can the membership reward be transferred to another girl if an earner is not returning in the fall?

No, the membership reward cannot be transferred to another Girl Scout. It is awarded only to the girl who earns it.

What will the redemption process look like? Will renewal be automatic or will caregivers have to renew for MY27?

Renewal will be required. Registration for membership year 2027 will not be automatic, the exact process is still being finalized. Additional details will be provided before renewal begins in April.

Do girls have to be in the troop at the start of cookie program or if they join part way thru and still sell 36 packages, can they also earn it?

Girls who join the troop partway through the cookie program can still earn the free membership reward if they sell 36 or more packages.

How does the free membership reward affect troop proceeds for the first 36 packages?

For the first 36 packages each Girl Scout sells, proceeds will be reduced by $0.85 per package. If the troop earns proceeds above $0.85 per package (for example, through the Early Bird or per girl average proceeds tiers), the troop will receive the difference on the first 36 packages. Once a Girl Scout sells package 37 and beyond, the troop will receive the full amount of the proceeds tier they’ve reached.
For troops that normally pay for membership renewals, Girl Scouts who earn their membership renewal through the cookie program will help the troop avoid the MY27 higher dues costs.
Troops with long-term fundraising goals for travel, community service, leadership projects, etc., may wish to discuss the option of troop dues with their families to support these efforts since membership dues would be covered.

Go Solo as an Individual Girl Scout toggle arrow

Be a boss and start your own business by participating in the Girl Scout Cookie Program Program. Individual Girl Scouts (also known as Juliettes) who may not be part of a troop or a Girl Scout whose troop is not taking part in the Cookie Program can still participate. Learn new skills, earn cool rewards, and unbox her future!

To connect with your regional Product Manager and share your interest in participating as an individual, please complete our Juliette Product Participation Interest Form and we'll get in touch with more details.

First-Time Cookie Sellers toggle arrow

Hey, new cookie participants! Congrats on taking the leap to unbox your future by participating in the Girl Scout Cookie Program. Through your participation in the world's largest girl-led business, you'll not only become a cookie entrepreneur, but you'll learn so many lifelong skills, including...

People Skills
Money Management
Decision Making
Goal Setting
Business Ethics

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While these are important dates for the council, check in with your troop cookie manager for more specific dates and deadlines for your troop!

January 7 - Opening day of the Girl Scout Cookie Program! Girl Scouts can begin collecting orders and should connect with your troop cookie manager to access Digital Cookie (online storefront) if you do not receive the access email.
February 2 - Initial Orders will be due sometime before this date. Connect with your troop cookie manager for your troop's deadline.
February 20-26 - Cookie Delivery (connect with your troop cookie manager for more details)
February 27 - Troop-secured Cookie Booths begin (connect with your troop cookie manager for your troop's potential participation schedule). Cookie Stands and Drive-Thru booths may also begin
March 6 - Council-secured Cookie Booths begin
March 22 - Girl Delivery option in Digital Cookie shuts off
March 27-29 - Last Chance Weekend! Remind your cookie customers that this is their last chance to stock up
March 29 - Last day of the GSWO Cookie Program!
May/June - Your troop cookie manager will disperse rewards once they have them ready for distribution

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Ready, steady, participate! The Cookie Family Guide has everything you need to know about the Girl Scout Cookie Program. Don't forget to reach out to your troop cookie manager for even more cookie goodness!

Family Guide/Rewards Booklet

Order Cards

In need of more paper order cards? Connect with your troop cookie manager for more!

Ways to Participate

Participating in the Girl Scout Cookie Program is an important part of the skill-building process. There are many ways for Girl Scouts to participate, depending on their comfort level. Explore our Ways to Participate overview for options on how you and your family can be involved in the Girl Scout Cookie Program.

Traditional order-taking begins on Wednesday, January 7. You can go door-to-door with order cards or connect with friends and family to collect orders. Need more order cards? Reach out to your troop cookie manager or download and print a copy.

2026 Order Card (English)
2026 Order Card (Spanish)
2026 Short Order Card (English)

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Go digital to grow your business! The Digital Cookie platform makes reaching out and connecting with your cookie customers easy. Customers can purchase Girl Scout Cookies to be shipped to their homes or delivered directly by your Girl Scout, and they can conveniently pay for their cookies online.

On January 7, 2026, look for an email with your access link and follow the prompts to set up your Girl Scout’s online storefront through Digital Cookie. If you cannot find the email, you can resend it from the login page by clicking on the "Need Help" button.

For assistance setting up a Digital Cookie storefront, connect with your troop cookie manager and follow the easy steps on page 4 of your Cookie Family Guide.

Download the free Digital Cookie Mobile App for ease of use while on the go. Check out this Digital Cookie Mobile App Tip Sheet to learn more!

Training Videos

Looking for further assistance with logging into your account or tracking sales? Check out the tip sheets below for more information and step-by-step processes.

Digital Cookie Tip Sheets and Videos for Families

Learn more about the Entrepreneur Pins & Badges and how to earn them with Digital Cookie!

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Cookie Booths are a valued aspect of the Cookie Program. Girls learn important communication skills, as well as how to network and manage their own businesses while providing sweet cookie treats to their customers.

Our Cookie Booth phase of the 2026 Cookie Program officially begins on March 6, 2026. Troops can connect with business partners in their area to set up troop-secured cookie booths. If you know of a business or location willing to host a cookie booth for your troop, let your troop's cookie manager know!

Learn more about using the Digital Cookie Mobile App at Cookie Booths.

Drive-Thru Cookie Booths

Customers love being able to purchase Girl Scout cookies while on the go! A Drive-Thru Cookie Booth is a great way for troops to offer a convenient experience for cookie fans. Connect with your troop cookie manager to see if your troop is participating in an area drive-thru cookie booth.

To aid with tracking your inventory and sales at cookie booths or cookie stands, download the Booth Inventory Tracker.

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Work with your Girl Scout to create your family's Cookie Stand! Like lemonade stands, Cookie Stands are run by girls from one household under a caregiver's supervision. As the caregiver, you'll be responsible for any cookies signed out (membership and background checks are not required, however a signed caregiver agreement form is). With a family Cookie Stand, your girl will have the cookie booth experience even if her troop is not participating in cookie booths.

Cookie Stand Guidelines:

Family/Household Unit – minimum one adult/caregiver and maximum two girls from the same household.
Troop-secured locations only – households can set up at local businesses not already secured by the council. Ask your troop cookie manager for more details if you're unsure of a location or business. You may also set it up on your private property.
Caregivers must seek approval from the troop cookie manager, who will then submit the Cookie Stand on your behalf for council approval. Once approved, the location, date, and time will link to the national Cookie Finder link. The stand does not need to be submitted for approval on private home property.
Locations will be approved on a first-come-first-served basis; if a troop has already submitted a location for a Cookie Stand/Booth approval, the second request will be denied, and they will be encouraged to seek a different date/time from the location to re-submit.
The caregiver must connect with the troop cookie manager to obtain cookie inventory (and sign receipts). As with any time cookies are signed out, the cookies and funds for those cookies are your responsibility.
Households with girls from more than one troop must work with each troop’s cookie manager for inventory calculations and funds due if girls are working a Cookie Stand together.
All general Cookie Booth guidelines about etiquette, setup, and teardown must be followed at Cookie Stands. Connect with your troop cookie manager for that information.
Cookie Stands at businesses can begin when Troop-Secured booths begin on February 21, 2026.

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Digital Cookie

Girls can easily accept credit card payments while making a delivery (if those orders weren't already ordered through Digital Cookie) through their Digital Cookie storefront.

Digital Cookie Mobile App
Digital Cookie Tip Sheets and Videos for Families

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Cookie Business Badges

With more and more consumers shopping online, girls learn to think beyond the storefront and meet their cookie customers where they are through the Digital Cookie® platform. The 13 Cookie Business badges are packed with activities to support every Girl Scout as they work collaboratively, set goals for themselves, and finesse their digital marketing campaigns. Girl Scouts of all ages will be ready to take their cookie business to the next level!

Cookie Entrepreneur Family Pins

Earning the year-by-year Cookie Entrepreneur Family Pin is the best way to make the Girl Scout Cookie Program a family affair! The simple, age-specific guidelines have been tailored for her developing skill set, making success a snap.

Learn more about the Cookie Entrepreneur Family Pin opportunity.

Program Events

Girl Scouts of Western Ohio offers several program event opportunities for Girl Scouts of all age levels to help further the skills learned during the Cookie Program.

February 7 - Planes Cookie Logistics Workshop. REGISTER

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To help boost her cookie business, we have created a supply of social media graphics, downloadable posters, images, and more for your Girl Scout. Visit our Marketing Resouces page for more information!