For Troop Leaders and Troop Cookie Managers

For Community-Area Product Leaders

Retail Spotlight

Dear valued volunteers,

We understand and hear you. Thank you for reaching out to us and sharing your worries, concerns, and questions related to current events and participation in the cookie program.   

The safety and wellbeing of all our members is our highest priority, and we have guidance in place for our volunteers and members who plan to participate via in-person cookie sales. Our guidance will be communicated to all participants via newsletters and Cookie Central. We will continue to work closely with our community booth partners, cookie cupboards, and cookie delivery partners. Our real-time communication channels (text messages, website banner) and a 24/7 booth response line will help guide and direct your questions and concerns.

Our values and mission will anchor us through, and with your partnership we will create opportunities and avenues so every girl who wants to participate can do so in ways that center her comfort and wellbeing.

As we develop our resource list and program opportunities so all Girl Scouts who want to participate can, we invite you to share your ideas with us via email at girlscouts@girlscoutsrv.org.

Yours in Girl Scouting,

Susan Andersson, Chief Experience Officer

Tammy Freese, Sr. Director, Product Program 

Placing an Initial Cookie Order in Smart Cookies ensures your troop has cookies to distribute before GO Day, your gluten-free Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies are secured, and you’ll have inventory ready for early booths. 

Deadline: January 23 at 11:59 p.m.
Orders are placed in full cases in Smart Cookies. Place your order and select your delivery location before the deadline.

Gluten-Free Reminder: Troops that pre-ordered a supply of the gluten-free Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies in October must include their cases with the rest of their initial order in Smart Cookies. Troops that missed the October pre-order and wish to receive more than two cases of gluten-free cookies must enter their order in Smart Cookies AND submit the Gluten-Free Exception Form by January 23.

Need help?
Explore Cookie Central for step-by-step ordering guidance, use the Cookie Calculator to help estimate your troop’s order, and for more details on the calculator, check out Edition 4 of The Cookie Press. You can also reach out to your Community Product Leader or Girl Scouts River Valleys for support.

Patch Opportunity:
Troops that place an initial order will receive a 2026 Exploremores patch for each Girl Scout participating.

Remind families to complete the online Family Cookie Responsibility Form on Cookie Central. Share the link during your Cookie Family Business Meeting or via email. Provide families with your preferred email address for the form and your troop’s cookie return date.

You’ll receive an email when a form is submitted. Families can also forward a copy to you from their email confirmation. Families must complete the form before a Girl Scout can receive any cookie inventory.

All Girl Scouts are invited to this free event, no matter how you participate this year. Join us on Tuesday, February 3rd at 6:30pm on Girl Scouts River Valleys Facebook page and YouTube channel to prepare for the 2026 cookie season.

Can’t join us live that evening? No problem! A recording will be available to view on both Facebook and YouTube at your convenience. Prize entry opportunities will be open until February 10th! 

To receive reminders,  fill out this quick rally interest form. Registration is not required to attend the rally. Download and print this flyer to share with friends and these activity sheets to use live during the event.

GSRV's Returning and New Troop Trainings have been added to gsLearn and are now available. 

477 Returning Troop Training, FAQ & Resource Links
477 New Troop Training FAQ,& Resource Links

Now is a great time to connect with troops and offer support with their initial cookie orders—especially new troops. Remind them to enter their order and select a delivery location in Smart Cookies by January 23. Community Product Leaders can adjust or enter orders through January 24. To see which troops have placed orders or review details, run the Troop Initial Order report in Smart Cookies.

📆 If your Community participates in a Mini Drop delivery, share the delivery date with Troops so they can mark their calendar.

📢Reminder: Check out the Cookie Open House Events happening this Saturday (January 17) from 10am-2pm in St. Paul and Rochester. Shop, connect with staff and other volunteers, sample the new Exploremores, and register to win prizes too. See you there!

Have a question? Don't be shy!
Contact us for more information.