The Girl Scout Cookie Storybook

The Girl Scout Cookie
Storybook

There’s more to
Girl Scout cookies than
what’s in
the box.

When a Girl Scout sells you cookies, she’s doing more than just
handing you a box. She’s creating a plan, interacting with
customers, and working as part of a team. She’s building a
lifetime of skills and confidence.
Selling cookies teaches goal setting, decision making,
money management, people skills, and business ethics—
aspects essential to leadership, to success, and to life.
The Girl Scout Cookie Program empowers a girl with the strength,
abilities, and drive to become an accomplished woman who
benefits herself, her family, and the world. From heads of the
household to Heads of State, troop leaders to world leaders,
Girl Scouts touches every aspect of society.

This is what a
girl can do.

Goal Setting
Selling cookies is cool. I get to hang out with my friends and
talk to all kinds of new people. And my Girl Scout friends and
I figured out real goals. Not just, "We want to sell three
hundred boxes," but something bigger, like how we want the
cookie buyers to feel when they buy a box. Or what good
things we can do with the money we make. Help fund the
soup kitchen downtown. See a live Broadway show for the
first time while exploring and learning about New York City.
Pitch in to rebuild my friend's house after the storm.
Selling cookies has definitely made me look at things
differently. It has made me think more about what I do,
what I can accomplish by doing it, and why I'm doing it.
It has made me realize how good it feels to work really hard
to reach a goal.

Decision Making
Mom and dad are in charge of most decisions, although my
brother acts like he is. When I sell cookies with my Girl Scout
sisters, I make my own decisions, like how many boxes I want to
sell, how to explain to people the good that comes from buying
a box of cookies, and how hard I'm working to make my goal.
We all have to agree on what we’ll do with the money, which
means talking it out and being okay with sometimes not getting
my way. And I have to figure out how to solve problems, like
what to do when one of the girls is sick and can’t help out.
My decisions matter. I’m responsible. Which means I can’t
blame my brother if something goes wrong, even if I’d
sometimes like to.

Money Management
I thought I knew about money. It’s the stuff I never have
enough of. But working with my Girl Scout team to sell
cookies, I’ve learned a whole lot about it. I now see how it
works, how a business is run on it, and why money matters
not just to me but to everyone. I see how it can do good for
the world if used right. And how you have to watch not just
the money coming in, but the money you spend. I’ve also
learned how to better manage it. Now, I think twice before
I buy something with my own money—or at least come up
with a better reason to ask mom for more.

People Skills
It’s not hard talking my friends into going to the mall.
But asking a stranger or even a neighbor to buy a box
of cookies is something else. I can’t be shy. I have
to speak up and look them in the eye when I'm
talking. And I have to be able to explain why I’m doing
what I’m doing. Everyone likes cookies. But when I
explain what the money we’re making is used for and
what I’m learning from selling cookies, people feel even
better about buying a box—or four. And I feel good, too.

Business Ethics
My sister got angry because she had to keep asking me to
do something I said I’d do for her. No big deal, right? I mean,
she’s my sister. And I did finally get around to keeping my
promise. But working with the other girls to sell cookies, I see
how important it is to keep your word all the time. And why
it’s important to build trust. If I don’t do something I say I will,
it ends up hurting not just me but the other girls, too.
I can’t say, “Yeah, sure,” and then not do anything. That only
makes it harder for us to reach our goal. Now I know how
important my word is, even if it’s just to my sister.

I hear my parents and Girl Scout volunteers use terms like character building, life skills,
taking responsibility, and even empowerment. But what I’ve learned from selling
cookies is that no one can hold me back. And because of cookie sales, I now handle my
allowance better. I can think through things. I can work with a team and also accomplish
important goals on my own. And I know that building trust is a big deal. That’s what I’m
doing with the people who buy cookies and with my Girl Scout sisters. By putting my mind
and energies to something, I know I can overcome any challenge.
There are no limits. I can be anything. I can do anything.

Girl Scouts of the USA
420 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10018
gsbrand@girlscouts.org