Cookie Booth season is almost upon us! With so much going on in the Girl Scout Cookie Program, it’s important to make sure you’re prepared for the Cookies in Hand Phase. Here’s a simple list of things to remember before you go out and sell with your girls!

Pick Up Your Cookies

Once Girl Scout Cookies arrive in western Ohio, you’ll need to pick them up! You’ll want to make sure you have enough cookies for all of the customers who will be visiting you! Here’s what we recommend in terms of cookie packages (not cases!) for an average cookie booth based on numbers from last year:

Remember, these are simply suggested package numbers based on past average booth sale totals. Keep in mind important factors like location, weather, time, etc. that may impact your specific booth locations. Also, remember that cookies cannot be returned!

Not sure where to pick up your cookies? Consult your Cookie Book for details!

Reread the Guidelines in the Cookie Book

It’s important that you and everyone at the booth are familiar with GSWO guidelines while you’re on-site, so take the time to familiarize yourself beforehand! We’ve created a one-pager with all of the guidelines for easy reference.

Make Fun, Attention-Grabbing Signage

Now it’s time to have fun! Grab the girls in your troop and get creative! Have them make fun, attention-grabbing signage to hang on the booth, the wall behind you (if allowed), or to hold up throughout the sale! Little Brownie Bakers has a ton of awesome recommendations on how to bling your booth.

We also recommend using this time to print out the Cookie Allergen Chart to have available for adults, girls, and customers to reference at the booth.

Double-Check that Volunteers are Approved and Background Checked

For the safety of everyone involved, adults who volunteer to help during Cookie Booth sales are required to be approved, background-checked adult members with Girl Scouts of Western Ohio. Two approved, background-checked adults are required for each booth sale.

Not sure if an adult is approved and background-checked? Contact the Customer Care Team at 888.350.5090 or customercare@gswo.org!

Decide How You’ll Accept Payment

How will you be accepting payment at your cookie booths? Will you allow customers to write checks to Girl Scouts of Western Ohio if they don’t have cash on hand? Make that policy beforehand, and let everyone in your troop know so the policy is consistent among Cookie Booths.

In addition, if you want to accept credit card payments during the sale, sign up to use the Clover Go app! In a “cashless” society, accepting debit and credit cards can really boost sales. (Plus when you use Clover Go, GSWO will take care of the transaction fees!)

Check the Weather

March in Ohio can be tricky when it comes to weather, so check the forecast ahead of time! Is the booth inside or outside? Should the girls wear winter coats and snow pants? Make sure everyone is prepared before they head out the door.

Familiarize Yourself with the eBudde Troop App Plus from Little Brownie Baker

One of the awesome tools available to Troop Cookie Managers is the Little Brownie Bakers Troop App Plus! The troop app plus is your mobile-friendly eBudde—you can do anything from this app that you can from your computer! How convenient and awesome is that? View girls, place orders, sign up for cookie booths, place a pending cupboard order, and so much more.

Get Yourself Organized

Looking for a way to keep your cookie booth inventory organized and accurate? Download the handy Booth Inventory Tracker template form to help your troop keep track of sales and inventory during your cookie booths!

Prepare Volunteers and Girls for Questions

Make sure girls and volunteers in your troop are able to answer the question “Why Girl Scouts?” Show cookie customers how the iconic Girl Scout Cookie Program prepares girls in their communities to lead, learn, and succeed, all while making it possible for them to embark on amazing adventures, form a lifetime of memories, and unleash the power of G.I.R.L. (Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, Leader)™ to change the world!

To help prepare for these types of questions, download the Cookie Season Readiness Sheet!

Check Back for More Booth Locations

eBudde is always being updated with new Cookie Booth locations — yes, including in the middle of the sale! Even if a prime location isn’t available now, it’s possible a troop has had to drop their booth reservation if their schedule changes! So make sure to check back regularly for new Cookie Booth opportunities.

Plus, this year there’s a new “Notify Me!” button, which will automatically send you an email when a booth location you’re interested in becomes available. Instructions are available in the Cookie Book!

Get the Girls Excited!

And finally, get girls excited about Cookie Booth season! They’re learning new things and earning money to accomplish their goals with their Girl Scout troop. What’s not to love?!

Alright, now that you’ve crossed all these items off your to do list, it’s time to get out there! We can’t wait to see what your troops accomplish.