How to Thank a Girl Scout Volunteer

Girl Scouts just wouldn’t be possible without our incredible volunteers! From dedicated troop leaders to supportive mentors and organized planners, these passionate individuals make it possible for girls to grow their confidence, find their voice, and build skills that last a lifetime. Volunteers give their time, energy, and hearts to empower the next generation—and they deserve to be celebrated!

April is Volunteer Appreciation Month, the perfect time to recognize and thank the superhumans who make Girl Scouting incredible, including troop leaders, service unit leaders, cookie volunteers, and more! Whether it’s a heartfelt note, a small hand-made token of gratitude, or a personal shoutout, there are so many ways to show appreciation for the people who help create unforgettable Girl Scout memories.

Introducing Volunteer Appreciation Resources for 2025!

With all that volunteers do each year, finding a starting point to say “thank you” can be a challenge in itself! Don’t worry – we've compiled fun, free bilingual materials available in English and Spanish in our 2025 Volunteer Appreciation Resources to get you started, including:

• A sweet coloring sheet to download and personalize to make any volunteer’s heart flutter.
• A fill-in-the-blank Thank You Card for your Girl Scout to complete with personal notes of appreciation.
• Customizable digital e-cards in 5 unique designs to choose from and send directly to a special volunteer during the month of April.

Get Creative with a Hand-Made Gift using our DIY Gift Guide

There’s something about a hand-crafted gift that tugs at the heartstrings in such a special way. Whether you're characteristically creative or not, our DIY Gift Guide features gifting tips along with the pinch pot activity from our new Craft and Tinker badge program, including step-by-step instructions for your Girl Scout to craft a sweet and simple gift that is sure to wow any volunteer.

Shop with Your Heart

If gift-giving is your appreciation language, we’ve got you covered! From troop leader essentials to dazzling trefoil jewelry and charms, there’s a thoughtful gift for every volunteer and budget with great options starting at just $5 in our Volunteer Gift Guide. (And a Girl Scout Shop Gift Card is always a solid choice, too!)

Keep up the Gratitude Attitude All Year

Volunteering is year-round, so there's no need to limit your appreciation to one month. Our Volunteer Appreciation Resources are available outside of Volunteer Appreciation Month, especially for special moments like:

• Bridging ceremonies: when your Girl Scout reaches the next level, amp up your “thank you” game for her volunteers.
• Holiday celebrations: a little themed appreciation goes a long way.
• Birthdays: remembering someone’s birthday is an easy way to make them smile!

One of the best ways to make a volunteer feel appreciated? Offer the gift of your time. Even if you’re not ready to become a volunteer yourself, every minute you can give support to a volunteer makes a difference for the whole troop. Not sure where to start? Try picking up a project or two to see where you can make the biggest impact:

• Be the troop photographer: you’re already taking cute photos of your Girl Scout, so make sure to get some of the volunteers in action too!
• Lead a meeting or guide a badge: is the troop interested in learning about something you’re passionate about? Raise your hand to help guide their discoveries.
• Manage troop logistics: from group text updates to the carpool calendar, your organizational skills will be truly valued.

An Important Update for Our Members and Supporters

For over 100 years, Girl Scouts of the USA has been dedicated to building girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. An important part of this mission is the iconic Girl Scout Cookie Program, which is the largest girl-led entrepreneurial program in the world. The cookie program teaches valuable life skills like goal setting, decision making, people skills, money management, and business ethics ensuring that girls can become leaders in their communities.

The health and safety of Girl Scouts and cookie customers is our top priority. Rest assured: Girl Scout Cookies are safe to consume.

A recent report claimed that our Girl Scout Cookies contain certain levels of glyphosate and heavy metals. We want to address these allegations and share the facts:

Girl Scout Cookies are made with ingredients that adhere to food safety standards set by the FDA and other relevant authorities.

• Our trusted bakers remain committed to compliance with all food safety standards and regulations set forth by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and other relevant health authorities.
• These standards ensure that food products are safe for consumption.
• As a result, Girl Scout Cookies are safe to consume and are manufactured in accordance with all food safety regulations.

To further put the coverage in proper context:

• Environmental contaminants—which can include heavy metals— can occur naturally in soil. This means that nearly all foods using plant-based ingredients, including organic foods, may contain trace amounts. This does not mean that these foods are harmful to consume.
• Glyphosate is widely used in agriculture in accordance with established EPA standards and is found nearly everywhere in the food chain. Trace amounts of glyphosate can be found in fresh fruits, vegetables, cereals, baked goods, and other food and beverage commodities.
• Similarly, small amounts of heavy metals can be found naturally in the environment, including in food products, due to air, water, and soil exposure.
• These metals are not added to our Girl Scout Cookies.
• While such occurrences are not unique to Girl Scout Cookies, our trusted baking partners continue to ensure the integrity of our recipes and the safety of all Girl Scout Cookie products in accordance with federal regulations and Global Food Safety initiative standards.
• Our bakers have confirmed that the levels reported do not pose a food safety concern to our customers.

The Girl Scout Cookie Program is about more than a sweet treat. It teaches Girl Scouts to think critically, build confidence, and use the skills of entrepreneurship, leadership, and business ethics in the real world. And remember: every purchase of Girl Scout Cookies powers life-changing experiences for Girl Scouts right in your local community. Visit girlscoutcookies.org to support a troop in your area.

Girl Scout Cookies Are Here—Don’t Miss a Crumb! Here’s Everything You Need to Know

The Wait is Over—2025 Girl Scout Cookie Season is Here! 🍪

Cookie lovers, REJOICE! The most delicious time of the year has officially begun—the 2025 Girl Scout Cookie® season is in full swing, and it’s time to treat yourself while supporting this generation of girl leaders. As a reminder, these aren't just any cookies — they help unbox the future for Girl Scouts everywhere, one iconic cookie box at a time.

A Lineup Worth Craving

The 2025 cookie lineup is stacked with fan-favorite flavors you know and love. Thin Mints®, Samoas®/Caramel deLites®, and Peanut Butter Patties®/Tagalongs® are all back, ready to dazzle your taste buds. But, cookie lovers, we’ve got some bittersweet news. This is the LAST SEASON you’ll be able to get your hands on Toast-Yay!® and Girl Scout S’mores®. Yep, you heard that right—they’re going out with a bang, and you’ll want to stock up before they’re gone for good.

These sweet staples have been fan favorites for years, and now’s your chance to say goodbye in the most delicious way possible. Find a local cookie booth or connect with a Girl Scout you know to snag these soon-to-be-retired flavors before they’re gone forever.

Why Girl Scout Cookies Are More Than a Treat

Sure, they’re tasty—but Girl Scout Cookies are so much more than a sweet snack. Every purchase fuels the largest entrepreneurial program in the world for girls. When you buy cookies, you’re helping girls gain life-changing skills like goal-setting, decision-making, money management, people skills, and business ethics.

Each box sold is an opportunity for a Girl Scout to build her confidence, courage, and character. The funds raised help power incredible Girl Scout adventures—think summer camp, service projects, and amazing travel experiences—all while developing essential entrepreneurial skills that last a lifetime. When you bite into that Thin Mint, know that you’re helping girls achieve BIG things.

📸: Event-News Enterprise

How to Support Girl Scouts This Cookie Season

Ready to stock up and make a difference? Here’s how you can join the fun:

• Know a Girl Scout? Order directly from her.
• No Girl Scout nearby? Use the Cookie Finder at www.girlscoutcookies.org to find a booth near you.
• Want cookies delivered? Starting February 21, have them shipped straight to your door via www.girlscoutcookies.org
• Stay in the loop! Text “COOKIES” to 59618 for updates on availability and exciting cookie news.

Support your local troop, savor the lineup, and grab those Toast-Yay!® and S’mores® cookies before they’re gone forever. Let’s help Girl Scouts chase their big dreams—one cookie box at a time.

Want to share the cookie love? Make sure to tag @GirlScouts and use #GirlScoutCookieSeason in all your amazing stories on social media.

Happy Girl Scout Cookie Season! 🍪

Design Reveal: Juliette Gordon Low Takes Her Place on the Quarter

Let’s celebrate history is in the making! Our very own trailblazer, Juliette Gordon Low, is making her mark on American currency. Today, the United States Mint released the Juliette Gordon Low special edition quarter which is one of five final quarters being released through the American Women Quarters™ Program Order yours today!

What is the American Women Quarters™ Program?

According to the United States Mint: “The American Women Quarters™ Program is a four-year program that celebrates the accomplishments and contributions made by women of the United States. Beginning in 2022, and continuing through 2025, the U.S. Mint will issue up to five new reverse designs each year.” These quarters pay tribute to women from diverse backgrounds who have made their mark on suffrage, civil rights, abolition, government, humanities, science, space, the arts, and more. It's a powerful recognition of the incredible impact women have had on our nation's history. 

Just think about the trailblazers who've graced these quarters to date: Maya Angelou, Bessie Coleman, Celia Cruz, and Eleanor Roosevelt are just a few examples. Now, Juliette Gordon Low is joining their esteemed company, and we couldn't be prouder. Learn more here.

Why is this important?

The selection of Juliette Gordon Low for this prestigious honor on the national stage serves as a powerful reminder that her visionary spirit and the Movement she founded are beacons of hope for every girl. And today, the world needs Girl Scouts more than ever. Low’s legacy comes to life in every Girl Scout and alum who speaks up for what they believe in, leaves the world better than they found it, and blazes a trail of their very own. Juliette Gordon Low's journey from trailblazing leader to a face on our nation's currency is a testament to the power of girls and women everywhere.

What is the significance of the design?

Let's dive into the design elements and their significance on the new quarter featuring Juliette Gordon Low. The design captures Juliette’s spirit and strength. Juliette is rocking her 1920s Girl Scout uniform, complete with trefoils on her hat, lapels, belt buckle, and pin. Check out the Thanks Badge over her heart—it's the highest adult award in Girl Scouting! And that Silver Fish around her neck? It’s the top honor in UK Girl Guiding, symbolizing swimming upstream and overcoming obstacles. This quarter's design is packed with history and Girl Scout pride.

Additional Commemorative Products Available

Let's celebrate Juliette Gordon Low's legacy together with:

• NEW merchandise featuring the quarter's design, including a scarf, patch, tote and more. 
• Juliette Gordon Low Ornament, coming Summer 2025 
• American Women Quarter 2025 Proof Set

Unlock a World of Possibilities: Your Guide to Troop Year Planning!

 

Back to troop season is HERE! Are you ready to take your troop on a journey filled with endless possibilities, growth, and unforgettable experiences? Look no further because we have an exciting announcement that will simplify the way you plan out your year: Troop Year Plans, now include plans for multi-level troops!

From Daisies to Ambassadors, our customizable, turnkey plans are designed to meet the needs of every troop, ensuring that each Girl Scout can explore, have fun, thrive, and lead the way.

So, what exactly are Troop Year Plans, and how can they benefit you and your troop? Let's dive in:

1. Comprehensive Planning Made Easy: Our Troop Year Plans offer a curated selection of our most popular activities, organized for two meetings per month. Whether your troop wants to explore the outdoors, dive into STEM, or engage in community service, these plans have everything you need to keep the girls excited and engaged all year long.

2. Badge-Earning Opportunities: With our Troop Year Plans, earning badges has never been simpler or more enjoyable! Each month, you'll find a variety of badge-earning activities that align with the Girl Scout Leadership Experience, empowering girls to develop essential skills and knowledge while earning recognition for their achievements.

3. Customizable and Flexible: We understand that every troop is unique, which is why our Troop Year Plans are fully customizable to suit your troop's interests, schedule, and needs. Whether you're organizing a weekend camping trip or a virtual meeting, these plans offer a variety of activities that can be adapted to fit your troop’s needs. Plus, if the girls want to swap an activity for something they enjoy more, they can! It’s all about making the experience fun and tailored to them.

4. Print-Friendly and Online Versions: Whether you prefer to flip through pages or access resources digitally, our Troop Year Plans are available in both print-friendly and online formats, making them a convenient companion on all your Girl Scouting adventures.

What sets our Multi-Level Troop Year Plans apart is their inclusivity and flexibility. For troops with girls spanning multiple age levels, this tool is an absolute game-changer. No more struggling to find activities that cater to everyone's needs – our plan seamlessly integrates themes that are suitable for troops with Daisies, Brownies, and Juniors as well as troops with Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors. This will help ensure that every girl in your troop feels valued and included.

With our Troop Year Plans and Multi-Level Troop Year Plans as your guide, you'll be amazed at how simple and rewarding it can be to make a difference in the lives of your Girl Scouts. Whether you're a seasoned volunteer or new to Girl Scouting, our plans provide the support and guidance you need to make a meaningful difference in the lives of your Girl Scouts.

Together, let's embark on a journey of exploration, growth, and friendship as we guide our Girl Scouts to become their best selves.

Are you actively using Troop Year Plans and want to share your experience with us and others? Let us know on social media by tagging @girlscouts.

Here's to a great year of adventures ahead!