Nothing is more exciting than empowering the next generation of young entrepreneurs! A favorite time of year for many Girl Scouts is cookie season—and with the 2022 cookie season beginning on February 19-March 27, it’s right around the corner. As your troop is setting their goals and checking out this year’s prizes, you can help to encourage families to participate and support. Girl Scouts learn business skills, financial literacy, teamwork, and so much more through cookie selling. When families see these benefits firsthand, they are more likely to get involved. Read on for our three best engagement tips you can use this cookie season!
Host a Family Cookie Meeting
Holding a family meeting at the beginning of cookie season is a great first step to getting families involved. Whether it’s your first cookie meeting or your Girl Scouts are cookie-selling pros, there are a few things you can share with families to get the season started off on the right foot. Start by sharing the Cookie Program Family Guide, which is full of news, information, and resources. The cookie program is flexible and allows families to participate in new ways based on their comfort level! We encourage you to talk to them about online, hybrid, and in-person options. There’s a participation option for everyone!
Roles for Everyone
At this meeting, share the roles that caregivers can take to support the cookie sale. Troops need Cookie Managers, Cookie Booth Chaperones, and someone to manage pickup from the Cookie Cupboards. There are even prizes for booth decorating! Troops who like to take their cookie booths to the next level can submit a photo of their display for a chance to win Cookie Booth of the Week, so parents can assist with booth decorations. Having parents brainstorm their connections is a terrific way to engage them and boost your sales. Always try to make your requests of parents as specific as possible—people are more likely to say yes to a precise ask.
Families Achieve Together
The cookie program teaches Girl Scouts important lessons about goal setting and achievement, and the opportunity to achieve those goals together is exciting for families! Girls who complete activities alongside their families will have the chance to earn the Cookie Entrepreneur Family pin. There are guidelines for each program level and each year is unique, so this is a goal your Girl Scout’s family can set every year.
Cookie sales are just the beginning of the goals your Girl Scouts can accomplish, and the opportunities for family involvement. We hope you find these tips helpful in engaging your troop’s family this cookie season!
Sydney Tuttle – Sydney is a Leader Engagement Coordinator at Girl Scout River Valleys, focusing on training and supporting troop leaders. She received her Bachelors of Arts in Sociology from the University of Minnesota— Twin Cities. In her free time, Sydney enjoys reading, baking, and spending time with her friends. She can talk your ear off about her two cats, Korra and Mabel!