Parents and caregivers want their girls to have the absolute best opportunities to grow into G.I.R.L.s (Go-getters, Innovators, Risk-takers, and Leaders)™. But with busy schedules, it can be hard to fit in all of the amazing opportunities available to girls.  Because of this, parents are often forced to pick and choose the activities that take precedence with time and availability.

We know girls need and want programs that will help them learn financial literacy. That’s why we’re continually working to simplify our product programs so it’s an easy choice for families to make.

Customizable for Families

their Girl Scout will participate in the annual Fall Product Sale and Girl Scout Cookie Program. It’s a no-brainer! Girls are learning valuable life skills like goal setting, decision making, and financial literacy. Plus, there are plenty of sale options for girls and families, so they can customize the program to fit their needs. Pick one method or combine all four so your girl can knock her goals out of the park!

Traditional Order Taking

The most traditional avenue for girls to participate in the Girl Scout Cookie Program is through order taking. Throughout the months of January and February, Girl Scouts in western Ohio take orders from friends, family, neighbors, and other members of their community. Then, near the end of February, they begin delivering the cookies and continue to sell when they have the product on-hand.

Digital Cookie

For families who don’t live close enough to loved ones for their girl to take orders in person, Digital Cookie is an amazing option! Girl Scouts learn all about e-commerce as they sell Girl Scout Cookies through their online marketplace on Digital Cookie. Customers can opt to have cookies shipped directly to them, or have the girl deliver them in-person once she has the product on-hand. (In-person deliveries have to be approved by a parent or caregiver — safety first!)

Not only does this allow Girl Scouts to reach far-away friends and family, but it also teaches her all about digital marketing. She can send emails, create a profile, and more as she learns the best ways to grow her cookie business online.

Booth Sales

One of the most popular and iconic cookie-selling methods is booth sales. Girls sign up for a time and set up a table in their community at places like grocery stores, craft stores, and more. They’ve got cookies on hand, so they’re able to sell cookies to anyone who walks by!

Booth sales can be a great option for families who prefer to crank out all of their sales efforts in one or two sittings. Since they have product on-hand, girls are able to sell more boxes and hit their goals quickly in one shift!

Walkabouts

Similar to booth sales, walkabouts happen after the cookies have been delivered and your girl has them on-hand. Think of this as a traveling cookie booth! Girl Scouts get together with their families or members of their troop, load up a cart with cookies, and go door-to-door selling cookies. In addition to learning financial literacy skills, they’re getting outside and being active! It’s a win-win!

Easier for Volunteers

We also know that volunteers learn in many different ways. To help with this, we’re diversifying our training methods for the Girl Scout Cookie Program! Now troop cookie managers will get the information they need, when they need it.

Cookie Materials Delivered to You

One of the biggest ways we’re making the 2018 Girl Scout Cookie Sale Program easier is by shipping all of the cookie resources and materials directly to the troop cookie managers! Troops will be getting all of the materials they need directly to their doorstep in December. Amazing, right?

If you’re a troop cookie manager, make sure you’ve filled out the electronic troop manager agreement form by October 13 (that’s today!) and follow the instructions in your follow-up email confirmation once the electronic agreement form is complete. Once we have that information, we’ll ship your cookie materials to your home in early December!

Cookie Bites

This year we’re also launching Cookie Bites, short animated videos, roughly 3 minutes or less, that will go out to troop cookie managers in weekly Cookie News emails via eBudde. These videos are designed to highlight the training troop cookie managers will need for that specific time in the Cookie Program, as well as share other important information about our product programs.

These short videos work in conjunction with existing news platforms, like eBudde emails, updates in the GSWO Volunteer Support Facebook Group, and webinars.

Cookie Bites will speed up the training process for troop cookie managers by delivery the most important information to you in less than 3 minutes! Busy volunteers can watch them on the go and get the information they need when they need it.

Cookie Webinars & In-Person Training

As always, online training will be provided at gswo.org/cookieresources and in the cookie webinars. The first webinar is in December, but you can sign up now and add it to your calendar so you don’t forget! Troop cookie managers will also have access to in-person training at the service unit cookie training meetings. Contact your service unit cookie coordinator for details on the meeting date and location!

We know the Girl Scout Cookie Program is beneficial to girls and teaches them the skills they want to learn. Now it’s even easier for families and volunteers to get involved!

Talk to your troop leader to sign up for the 2018 Girl Scout Cookie Program, or contact the Customer Care Team for more information at 888.350.5090 or customerservice@gswo.org!