Girl Scout Cookie Program Tips, Tricks & Activities for Brownies

Troop Leader / Cookie Manager Getting Ready Steps

• Sign up for a Cookie Rookie or Refresher Training Session (in person, scheduled webinar or on-line training

at your convenience)

• Get familiar with your Troop Cookie Manager training guide.

• Be sure you are receiving Cookiegrams. You can always access these emails online.

• Schedule your kick-off parent / caregiver meeting prior to program start date. This is the time you gather

your support team for encouraging deadlines, sending reminder / support emails along the way and begin

to decide if you want to do booth sales (potentially needing additional chaperones). Here are some helpful

steps for your parent / caregiver meeting.

• Review special marketing tools, decide what you want and place your order for business cards, thank you

cards and thank you stickers as desired. Other downloads available too.

Try Out Some Fun Activities to Kick-Off / Throughout the Season

Brownies are building their cookie business savvy! We want them to continue working on their 5 Skills:

Business Ethics - Girls act honestly and responsibly during every step of the cookie sale. This matters because employers want to hire ethical employees—and the world needs ethical leaders in every field.

Goal Setting - Girls learn how to set goals and create a plan to reach them. This matters because girls need to know how to set and reach goals to succeed in school, on the job, and in life.

Decision Making - Girls learn to make decisions on their own and as a team. This matters because girls must make many decisions, big and small, in their lives. Learning this skill helps them make good ones.

Money Management - Girls learn to create a budget and handle money. This matters because girls need to know how to handle money—from their lunch money to their allowance to (someday) their paycheck.

People Skills - Girls find their voice and build confidence through customer interactions. This matters because it helps them do better in school (on group projects, on sports teams, and on the playground) and, later, at work.

We also encourage working toward some Brownie badges and the Cookie Entrepreneur Family Pin. For the pin, do

a couple steps in troop and then encourage parents / caregivers and their Brownie to work together on the

remaining steps.

Find Out the Cost of Fun

Sometimes the things we might enjoy doing with our family or in Girl Scouts cost money. Discover how much

some of these fun things cost and how to plan for these expenses.

*Steps toward the Brownie Money Manager badge.

Materials:

• Look at www.gsksmo.org/community (fun community partner programs)

• Look at other local opportunities / activities girls would be interested in (Build-a-Bear), etc.

• Calculators

• Paper to prepare your budget worksheet

• Pencil / markers

• Goal Thermometer

Directions

• Have the girls work in small groups of three. Help split them up if needed.

• Explain to the girls that they are going to find out how much some of the things they might like to do with

their troop would cost and decide how many boxes of cookies they need to sell in order to do these

activities.

• Have each group pick one of the activities you / the group have pre-chosen. Place the activity on the sheet

of paper (budget worksheet) and determine the initial cost of the activity.

• With the help of an adult, determine the other expenses that might be associated with this event: food,

transportation, other. Record the costs on the budget worksheet.

• Tally up the total cost of the trip for one person.

• With the help of an adult, have the girls determine how many boxes of cookies they would need to sell in

order to reach that amount: Troops earn $1.00 for each box of cookies sold. For example, if the activity

would cost $15 per girl, each girl would need to sell 15 boxes of cookies in order to attend that activity.

• As a troop, Brownies can visually see the cost of each activity and then can decide which one to work toward. Adults can always say… here’s our initial goal, but if we do this, we can choose this. Sometimes

the first thing said is an activity super big. So this activity helps them see the differences and feel

achievement if a lower cost objective is met. That’s a win!

• Brownies can also think about service...maybe choosing something good they want to do. Take some

proceeds and buy pet supplies for a local shelter, etc.

• With the remainder of the time, Brownies can fill in the troop and even an individual goal thermometer.

Know Your Cookie Relay

This game will help the girls learn more about the cookies and see which cookie they know the best.

*Steps toward the Brownie Meet my Customers badge

Materials:

• Table(s)

• Cookie sheets (two per group of 3-5 girls)

• Spatulas (one per group of 3-5 girls)

• Hot pads (one per group of 3-5 girls)

• Cookie Jars (one per group of 3-5 girls)

• Know Your Cookie information – see below

• Cookies made out of cardboard or foam board with picture of the kind of cookie glued on top; 3 of each

type of cookie = 1 set, 1 set for each group of 3-5 girls. Visit: www.abcbakers.com to get the cookie artwork

needed.

• At least one volunteer per group of 3-5 girls

Directions:

• Prior to the event make your relay set up. You will need 2 tables per group of 3-5 girls. (If tables are tight, one table per group would work with the cookie jar on the floor.)

• Set up the space so that you have 2 tables facing one another in rows of how many groups you will need.

On one end, you will have the cookie jars. On the other end, you will have the cookie sheets with the

cookies.

• With the girls on the floor, explain the game.

• Split the girls into teams of 3-5 girls Each team will have a baking sheet, spatula, and hot pad.

• Use the side of the table as the starting line. Have each team of girls form a line on their side of the table.

• The first girl steps up to the front of the table, picks up the hot pad, cookie sheet, and spatula.

• The volunteer reads one fact from the “Know Your Cookie” information. If the girl knows which cookie the

fact is referring to, she uses her spatula to pick up 3 of those cookies from the cookie sheet on the

opposite table. Otherwise, she waits for the next fact about the same cookie. 1st clue = 3 cookies, 2nd clue

= 2 cookies, 3rd clue = 1 cookie.

• Once the cookies are on the baking sheet, she walks quickly over to the cookie jar and shows her choice to

the volunteer helping her group. If the cookie choice is right, the volunteer will tell her to place the cookies

in the jar using the spatula. If the cookie choice is wrong, the girl must quickly walk back to the table, put

the cookies back on the cookie sheet, and then go get another clue from the volunteer.

• After putting the cookies in the cookie jar, the girl walks quickly back to the table and hands the hot pad,

spatula, and cookie sheet to the next girl (making sure the transaction takes place behind the table).

• You may have multiple groups going at the same time.

• Once the teams have finished all the types of cookies, everyone will count how many cookies they have in

their jars.

Know the Cookies for the Relay

Shortbread Cookies

• This cookie has been around the longest.

• This cookie comes in a blue box.

• This cookie has a buttery taste and represents Girl Scouts with a Trefoil baked right on the cookie.

Thin Mints

• This cookie is the top-selling Girl Scout cookie in America.

• This cookie comes in a green box.

• This cookie has a burst of peppermint and a chocolaty coating.

Thanks-A-lots

• This cookie speaks in 5 different languages.

• This cookie comes in turquoise packaging.

• This cookie is a shortbread cookie dipped in rich fudge and this cookie is being retired after this season.

Caramel Delites

• This cookie is the second best-selling Girl Scout cookie.

• This cookie comes in a purple box.

• This cookie is the only striped Girl Scout Cookie and is topped with caramel and toasted coconut.

Lemonades

• This cookie is a shortbread cookie with a refreshing citrus flavored icing.

• This cookie comes in yellow packaging.

• This cookie is imprinted with the citrus that is contained in its flavor.

Peanut Butter Patties

• This cookie is the third best-selling Girl Scout Cookie.

• This cookie comes in a red box.

• This cookie is a crispy vanilla cookie layered in peanut butter and dipped in chocolate.

Peanut Butter Sandwiches

• This cookie has two oatmeal cookies.

• This cookie comes in a golden colored box.

• This cookie has peanut butter between the two oatmeal cookies.

S’mores

• This cookie celebrates a favorite Girl Scout campfire tradition.

• This cookie comes in a brown package.

• This cookie has a graham cracker dipped in crème icing and topped with chocolate.

Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies

• This cookie is the newest Girl Scout cookie but not one every Girl Scout sells.

• This cookie is gluten-free.

• This cookie is a classic with caramel and chocolate chips + a little sea salt.

Mock Booth Sale / Sales Practice

Girls learn how to interact with customers while learning the basics of money management and being a

successful business woman.

*Steps toward the Brownie Give Back & Meet My Customers badges

Materials:

• Table Set Up Like a Booth / Sales Table

• Cash Box

• Booth posters displayed that show cookies / cost) (Gluten Free version)

• Have G.I.R.L. play money ready to go.

• Prior to the playtime, have Girl Scouts create posters. Draw what they are excited sell / what they want to

do with proceeds / why customers should buy GS Cookies

• Wallet / purse

• Empty GS Cookie boxes or mock boxes

• Paper

• Markers / crayons

Directions:

• First have Brownies work on their booth posters, talking through what they want customers to know about

their cookie business (why they love selling cookies, what they are doing with the proceeds, what’s their

favorite cookie)

• Hang the posters and then let Girl Scouts take turns asking each other to buy cookies

• This experience will allow them to get comfortable with the ask

• They can also see the money and start counting change

• This is an opportunity for Brownies to get comfortable and each take home their posters and a set of their G.I.R.L. money.

“Snazz Up” Your Sales with Goal Posters

We know that customers buy more cookies when they are asked and to support girls striving to reach a goal. In

addition, many customers want to know their purchase is helping make a difference in the world. “Snazz Up” your

booth or cookie sale with some catchy signs and decorations that highlight your cookie business.

*Steps toward the Brownie Give Back badge

Materials:

• Poster board (2 per girl) or empty cookie cases (one per girl)

• Markers

• Colorful duct tape (optional)

• Scissors (if using boxes)

• Optional: stickers, cookie clip art, gems, or other embellishments to decorate the signs

• Tape

• Glue

• Sign stakes or paint sticks

Directions:

• Lead a short discussion on why it is important to tell the customers what the money is going towards and what their goals are.

• Advertising your product is an important part of marketing. Signs are a great tool to advertise your business and tell people about your product and program.

• Invite girls to share ideas about messages they want to include on their signs. Answers may include, but are not limited to: Information about their product- kinds of cookies, price, Troop or personal goals, What

you plan to do with the cookie proceeds, Asking the customer to help them make a difference in the

community

• Provide each girl with poster board or box, markers, and any other decorating supplies they might need.

• Invite the girls to create.

Keep the Fun & Skill-Building Going

• Turn to the next page and begin working on the Brownie Cookie Entrepreneur Family Pin

• Join and share & get ideas from the GSKSMO Brownie Facebook page.

• See so many more activities and games on Pinterest (Search Brownie Girl Scout Cookie Program

activities).

gsksmo.org/cookies | cookies@gsksmo.org

Check off the boxes as you complete each activity with your family—

you can earn a different pin each year! Adults, look for the throughout

for special ways you can help!

FIVE STEPS TO EARN YOUR

Brownie Pins

1. Go for the goal. Talk with your family to figure out a realistic

goal of how many cookies you think you can sell, then set a second

“stretch” goal that’s a little higher. You might not meet the stretch goal,

and that’s OK, but you won’t know unless you try! Once you decide on

your goals, write them down and fill in the goal tracker—don’t forget to

color it as you sell cookies!

My troop goal is __________ packages so we can _________________________

________________________________________________________________________.

My personal goal is __________ packages, and my stretch goal is ___________.

2. Find more customers. Who do you want to sell cookies

to besides your family and friends? Have your family help you think

of people you see on the way to school or at weekend activities. How

could you find even more customers? Brainstorm ways to spread the

word about your cookie business, then write or draw your ideas here!

Celebrate where she is.

Having a goal to aim for will

keep your girl motivated

and teach her to embrace

challenges, but it’s important to

celebrate her efforts along the

way, too, not just the outcome!

Open doors. Help her think

of different ways to reach new

customers, like going door to door,

using the Digital Cookie® platform or Smart Cookie, making phone

calls to family, and setting up a booth. If she decides to go door

to door, make sure a caring adult is with her at all times. Ask your

troop leader about council guidelines for cookie booths.

Co

ok

ie G

oa

l Tra

cke

r _______________ packages

_______________ packages

_______________ packages

_______________ packages

_______________ packages

_______________ packages

_______________ packages

YEAR 1

YEAR 2

3. Be a money master. Practice counting

money and making change with a family member

before you start selling to customers. Don’t worry

if you need help at first—that’s what your family is

for! Fill in the blanks below to practice totaling up

a customer’s order.

One box of Thin Mints® costs _______ dollars.

Two boxes of Thin Mints cost _______ dollars. ( _______ + _______ = _______ )

Four boxes of Thin Mints cost _______ dollars. ( _______ + _______ + _______ + _______ = _______ )

4. Make your pitch. Think of how you’ll ask people to buy cookies.

In addition to introducing yourself and asking if they’d like some cookies,

you might want to let customers know what your troop plans to do with

the cookie money you’re earning or explain your favorite flavors! Write

what you want to say below, then practice it on your family at home.

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

5. Think like a Girl Scout. The Girl

Scout Law reminds us to be responsible

for what we say and do. You can do that by

filling in important deadlines below so you

don’t forget! Create your own calendar using

these dates, and track your progress with

your family.

Help her shine. She may be ready to handle

simple money transactions, but an adult should always

be available to assist with big orders and large bills and

to keep the money safe after she’s collected it.

Yes, no, maybe so.

When she’s practicing her

pitch, pretend to be different

customers—some who want

cookies, some who don’t,

and some who are on the

fence. It’ll build her confidence

for real-life situations!

Day by day. Keep all cookie deadlines on a shared

family calendar, and give her a calendar of her own so she

can practice crossing off dates and planning ahead. Time

management will strengthen her business ethics as she

gets older!

My Important Cookie DatesGirl Scout Cookie season starts on: ________________________________________________________________________

Cookie order deadline: _____________________________________________________________________________________

Cookie pick-up: ___________________________________________________________________________________________

Money due date(s): _______________________________________________________________________________________

My other deadlines: _______________________________________________________________________________________

Check with your troop leader about how your girl can get each pin,or head to girlscoutshop.com to purchase it.

The GIRL SCOUTS® name, mark, and all associated trademarks and logotypes, including the Trefoil Design, G.I.R.L. (Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, Leader)™, and Cookie Pro™ are owned by Girl Scouts of the USA.