World Thinking Day: Throwback Edition

Every year on February 22nd, Girl Scouts and Girl Guides around the world take part in a global tradition that’s been going strong for a full century: World Thinking Day.

It’s a day for learning about the lives of girls in countries around the world, exploring cultures, and celebrating the global sisterhood we’re all part of. What began in 1926 as a moment to “think of each other” has grown into an important annual celebration where girls explore important issues. Through World Thinking Day, millions of girls step into their role as confident global citizens, leading with curiosity, courage, and compassion.

As we mark 100 years of World Thinking Day, we’re celebrating the 2026 theme, Our Friendship, by spotlighting moments from across the movement that show what global connection looks like in action. Get inspired, get curious, and celebrate in your own way.

Flag Ceremony Girl Scouts Thinking Day/Girl Scout Birthday 1975 Bahrain. Via GSUSA Archives

In 1979 A Japanese Brownie Scout and an American Brownie Scout learned to tie a friendship necklace during Girl Scout Thinking Day held at a Teen Center. Via GSUSA Archives

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World Thinking Day is all about learning, connecting, and taking part in a tradition millions of girls have shared for 100 years, while continuing to imagine, shape, and build what comes next together. You can celebrate in any way that feels meaningful to you: trying an activity connected to the theme, learning about another part of the world, doing something kind for your community, or simply sharing a photo that highlights what friendship means. Check out the World Thinking Day activity guide and this year’s award and start planning your celebration your way!

The New Girl Scout Leadership Awards Explained

Girl Scouts’ leadership pathway just got a major glow-up and a few things are changing:

• Leadership Awards are now the official prerequisites for the Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards.
• One Leadership Award earned at your program level fulfills the prerequisite for each of the Highest Awards.
• Additionally, the Bronze Award is now a prerequisite option for the Silver Award, and the Silver Award is a prerequisite option for the Gold Award.
• One Journey may still be used to meet the Highest Award prerequisite requirements through October 1, 2026.

Why Were the Awards Refreshed?

Inspired by Juliette Gordon Low’s courage and character, the refreshed awards create a clearer, more modern path to leadership. They focus on long-lasting skills like communication, problem-solving, teamwork, and confidence.

What Are the New Leadership Awards?
The Leadership Awards are a new set of skill-building experiences for Girl Scouts in grades 4–12. They focus on four areas of leadership: personal, peer, teaching, and community advocacy, and they are designed to be flexible.

Each award is designed to help Girl Scouts explore their interests, build practical skills, and focus on things that matter to them. And the best part? Earning one Leadership Award at your program level now fulfills the prerequisite for the Bronze, Silver, or Gold Award. Girl Scouts can earn them during troop meetings, at camp, at events, or individually.

Which Awards Are Retired?

Leader in Action (LiA) are retired as of July 2025. Cadettes can still get hands-on experience with younger Girl Scouts through the refreshed Program Aide award.

The previous Silver and Gold Torch award (based on holding a leadership position for a term )is also retired. Updated Torch awards now focus on teamwork and leading peers in more flexible, accessible ways.

Journeys will officially be retired on October 1, 2026. In their place, Juniors through Ambassadors can now earn the Leadership Awards.

The current Global Action award will also retire in 2026. Juniors – Ambassadors can earn the new Global Action Award, and Daisies and Brownies will have other opportunities to explore global themes, like through World Thinking Day and the Democracy badges.

My Girl Scout already started on one of the Journeys and/or a Leadership Award using retired guidelines. Now What?

Starting in October 2026, Journeys will be retired. Until then, Girl Scouts may continue completing Journeys, and any finished Journey will remain valid and will continue to count toward the Highest Awards.

Girl Scouts can apply the Leadership Awards as a prerequisite regardless of whether they were earned using the retired or new guidelines.

The Ultimate Girl Scout Cookie Season Guide 🍪💚

The 2026 Girl Scout Cookie Season is officially here and if you’re already craving Thin Mints or plotting how many boxes of Adventurefuls you can fit in your pantry… same. Whether you’re a seasoned cookie connoisseur or you’re just here for the vibes, here are five things you need to know before you stock up.

1. When does Girl Scout Cookie Season start?

National Girl Scout Cookie Season begins on January 6, and every council opens at its own time. The easiest way to check when sales begin near you is to enter your zip code into the Cookie Finder box at the top of our website. You will see booth times, online ordering windows and everything you need in one place. If your local council is not yet selling cookies, the Cookie Finder will display a countdown to when their season begins so you can plan to support troops in your community. You may also see links for neighboring troops or booths from nearby councils that are already in season. This is helpful if you are interested in direct shipping or willing to travel. If you want to support a specific area, you can also type in a ZIP code to explore all available options. 

2. Where can you buy cookies?

There are several easy ways to support your local Girl Scouts.

• Start with the Cookie Finder. Enter your zip code to see when your council’s sale begins, find local cookie booths, and learn how to get cookies delivered to your home.
• Visit cookie booths in your community once your council’s sale is live.
• Purchase directly from a Girl Scout you know through her Digital Cookie link.
• Text COOKIES to 59618 for updates and reminders.

Most councils run January through April, giving you plenty of chances to bring home your favorite flavors.

3. Meet the newest cookie, Exploremores™

Exploremores is the newest addition to the cookie lineup and it is and there's already great anticipation. Inspired by Rocky Road ice cream, these chocolate sandwich cookies are filled with the delicious flavors of chocolate, marshmallow and toasted almond flavored creme and reflect the spirit of exploration in every Girl Scout. Local troops will have them at booths or can ship nationwide, so it is easy for anyone to try the newest cookie while still stocking up on Adventurefuls, Thin Mints, and Trefoils.

4. Cookie booth etiquette

Cookie booths are real world learning spaces where girls practice communication, teamwork and confidence. A little kindness can make every interaction memorable for them.

• Be kind and encouraging.
• Direct concerns to GSUSA rather than volunteers or girls.
• Avoid diet-related comments and keep the space positive.
• Recognize the effort behind each booth.
• If you are not buying today, a friendly smile or quick good luck still makes a difference.

5. Why buying Girl Scout Cookies from Girl Scouts matters

Every box supports the largest girl led entrepreneurial program in the world. Through the Cookie Program, Girl Scouts build skills in goal setting, money management, decision making and working with others. They earn badges tied to financial literacy and entrepreneurship and carry these lessons with them long after the season ends.

Your support also stays local. Cookie proceeds fund troop activities, outdoor adventures, service projects in your community, and more. Each purchase helps Girl Scouts learn, grow and try new things all year long.

Let’s make this season the sweetest one yet!

Cookie Season is more than a moment. It brings people together, powers big dreams and gives girls the chance to grow in so many ways. Whatever cookie flavors you pick up, you are helping create meaningful opportunities for Girl Scouts everywhere. Thanks for being part of that journey. You truly take the cake… or in this case, the cookie!