Frequently Asked Questions
When did Girl Scouts first start selling cookies?
Girl Scouts and cookies share a rich history that goes back over 80 years! In the 1920s Girl Scout founder Juliette Gordon Low began helping the first Girl Scouts raise money to achieve special goals for their troops. Since then, the cookie sale has grown into a highly successful program that helps girls learn and practice important skills while raising funds for Girl Scouting in their area. The first documented council-wide cookie sale of commercially baked Girl Scout Cookies was in Philadelphia in 1934. The first nationally franchised cookie sale was in 1936. Today, more than 300 councils participate in the Girl Scout Cookie Sale.
Why do Girl Scouts sell cookies?
The cookie sale is an important part of Girl Scouting. Not only does it support programs and activities, it teaches girls important life skills such as goal setting, decision making, teamwork, handling money responsibly and following through with a commitment. This fun activity raises critically needed funds in a way that provides girls with a positive developmental experience that builds confidence and self-esteem and teaches the importance of economic independence at a young age.
Is my daughter required to sell Girl Scout Cookies?
Selling Girl Scout Cookies is voluntary and parents/guardians must give written permission for a girl to participate in the activity. Most families want their daughters to be part of the sale because it is both a fun activity and a great learning experience for girls. Personal responsibility, goal setting, handling money, resourcefulness, how to work with others and self confidence are some of the things girls can learn by selling Girl Scout Cookies.
Should I be with my daughter when she is selling cookies?
A supervising adult must always be present for all Brownie and Junior Girl Scout activities, including the cookie sale. Older girls must sell with a buddy. The cookie sale activity is a wonderful opportunity for you and your daughter to spend quality time together. If you are not accompanying your daughter, you should find out what adult(s) will be present before giving her permission to participate.
Where does the money go?
Proceeds generated from the sale stay here in the Permian Basin to support girls and the council. The Council uses cookie money to fund membership services, activities and other costs associated with making Girl Scouting available to all girls in our 15 county jurisdiction. In addition, troops and groups earn proceeds from the sale – and the girls themselves participate in deciding how the money will be spent.
Can Girl Scouts sell cookies on the Internet?
In Girl Scouting, the personal safety and security of girls always comes first. Because of the scope of the Internet and the fact that girls do not have a secure means of contacting strangers and exchanging funds over the Internet, those activities are considered a significant safety risk to girls. Therefore, girls may not engage in selling Girl Scout Cookies on the Internet. Girls can, however, use email to let family and friends know about the sale.
If you have questions about the Girl Scout Cookie Sale Program, please email us at info@gspb.org.
Is the purchase of Girl Scout Cookies tax deductible?
No. People who purchase Girl Scout Cookies are not making a contribution to Girl Scouting, rather they are purchasing a product at fair market value. For this reason, no part of the price of a box of cookies is tax deductible.
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