Girl Scout Cookies are a trademarked fundraising program run by the Girl Scouts of the USA to sell packaged cookies to the public. The program combines a seasonal retail effort with learning objectives: members gain experience in goal setting, money management and customer interaction while local troops raise money for activities and community projects. Girl Scouts of the USA oversees the program and works with licensed bakers to produce the cookies.
Varieties and characteristics
Cookies are offered in a rotating selection of flavors and formats each season, and some names vary by baker. Common examples include Thin Mints, Samoas (often called Caramel deLites), Tagalongs (Peanut Butter Patties), Trefoils (Shortbread), and Do-si-dos (Peanut Butter Sandwich). Texture, coating and fillings are distinguishing features: crisp wafers, chocolate coatings, caramel and toasted coconut, or sandwich cookies with peanut butter.
How the program works
Selling typically occurs through neighborhood booths, door-to-door outreach, and increasingly through online platforms and mobile ordering. Troops set goals and track sales; proceeds are split between the troop, council-level programs, and national operations. The effort is seasonal and highly organized, with training and safety guidelines for youth sellers. For more on flavor details see variety information.
History and development
The cookie program began in the early 20th century as a local fundraising idea and expanded into a national, annual campaign. Over decades it has evolved with changing bakers, product lines and sales methods. Licensed commercial bakeries produce and package the cookies to national specifications while councils manage distribution and training.
Educational goals and uses
Beyond fundraising, the program is framed as entrepreneurship education. Scouts learn practical skills such as budgeting, goal setting, marketing, customer service and record keeping. Many councils use proceeds to fund camps, community service projects and leadership programs.
Notable facts and distinctions
- Product names and recipes may differ slightly depending on which licensed baker supplies a council.
- Thin Mints are widely cited as one of the program’s most recognizable offerings.
- The program is a major annual fundraiser for Girl Scout councils and has cultural recognition across the United States; it is often the subject of local media coverage each selling season. Learn more about fundraising and impact at fundraising resources.
For general background on cookies and similar baked goods, see cookies.