Volunteer Scoop: May
5/21/2026
News & Updates
Product Program
2026 Fall Product Program & 2027 Cookie Program Theme and Mascots Announced
We’re thrilled to unveil the theme for our upcoming product programs: Ready to Explore.
This bold and spirited theme will guide both the 2026 Fall Product Program and the 2027 Cookie Program.
Meet the mascots leading the way:
Kangaroo – the 2026 Fall Product Program
Lop Eared Rabbit – the 2027 Cookie Program
Get ready for a season full of excitement, adventure, and fun!
Digital Cookie Reopened - For a Limited Time!
The cookie sale extension on shipped orders runs through tomorrow, May 22nd. Share your Digital Cookie link with family and friends one more time before the 2026 sale closes. Learn more: Cookie Extension on Shipped Orders.
Rewards Distribution
Cookie Managers will be receiving the final round of rewards within the next week. They'll sort rewards by troop and reach out to Troop Leaders to schedule pickup. Please, take action promptly so girls can celebrate their hard work!
Complete Your Surveys: Deadline June 15
We're always working to make the Cookie Program better, and your input matters. Survey links are coming soon, but you can also find them below.
Bonus: the Service Unit with the highest survey completion rate wins a $50 gift certificate to the GSDH Store!
- 2026 Cookie Program Volunteer Survey
- New this year? If you're a first-time Troop Leader or Cookie Coordinator, please also complete the New Troop Leader/Volunteer First Cookie Season Survey to help us improve training for future volunteers.
Girls Online Rewards Voting
Keep an eye out for the Reward Voting survey coming in May from Little Brownie Baker!
Most importantly, take a moment to celebrate! Reflect on your challenges, how you overcame them, and everything your girls achieved this season. You did a GREAT job!
Honoring Excellence
She's shown the world and herself that if she can dream it, she can do it – and the future is hers. Now, it's time to celebrate! Join us at Honoring Excellence to recognize Girl Scouts who have earned their Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards this past year. Adult volunteers who have made a significant impact and received an Adult Achievement Award will also be recognized.
Honoring Excellence will be held on Sunday, June 14th, at the Armory Event Center in Moorhead, MN. View all our 2026 Award Recipients and join us in the celebration! Purchase your tickets by May 29.
Spring Troop Wrap-Up: Reflect & Plan Ahead
As the school year comes to a close, it’s the perfect time to celebrate your troop’s achievements and start thinking ahead to the next Girl Scout year.
The Spring Troop Wrap-Up Guide is here to help! It includes a simple checklist to:
- Review your troop’s accomplishments
- Complete important end-of-year tasks
- Prepare for Back to Troop in the fall
Annual Finance Report Due June 15
Every troop and service unit with an open bank account is required to submit a finance report by June 15.
How to Submit:
Grab your May bank statement, update your GSDH 2025-26 Check Register, and follow the steps in the Just in Time: Finance Reports to complete and submit your report.
Submit your complete report by June 15, and your troop or service unit will earn a Finance Fun Patch for up to two volunteers!
Find finance resources, including the GSDH Troop and Service Unit Funds Policies and the Troop/Service Unit Authorized Account Signer Responsibilities, on our website.
Volunteer Years of Service Pins – Request Yours
We’re so grateful for the time, energy, and heart our volunteers give to Girl Scouts year after year. To thank you for your dedication, we are pleased to offer Volunteer Years of Service Pins to those who have served for 5 years or more.
Been a volunteer for 5+ years? You can now request your pin and we’ll mail it directly to you!
Bridging this Year? We’ve Got You Covered
Celebrate this exciting milestone! Check out the Bridging Guide for everything you need to know about earning the bridging awards and how to plan a ceremony with your girls. Bridging Kits are also available to order for easy presentation to your amazing Girl Scouts!
1912 Club Patch Program - Redeem Your Troop or Juliette’s Patch by June 15
Don’t miss out on celebrating your troop’s amazing year of adventure and tradition!
Girl Scouts and co-leaders can earn a FREE 1912 Club Patch when all ten exciting requirements are met throughout the year — things like going on a troop field trip and learning a classic Girl Scout tradition.
Review the 1912 Club Patch Program Requirements and complete the 1912 Club Patch Program Survey by June 15. Patches will be mailed to troop co-leaders with spring renewal incentives in August.
Summer Camps & Events – Register Now
Keep the Girl Scout fun going all summer long! Whether as a troop or individually, girls can join in on exciting summer camps and events happening across our council.
Why should you bring your girls to camp?
- Outdoor experiences prepare girls for adventure, inspire environmental stewardship, and instill natural curiosity
- Build new skills, learn camp traditions and songs, and make new friends!
Camps are filling fast, so don’t wait—check out the Event List and register today!
S’more Fun Outdoor Skills Patch Program for Volunteers
Explore the outdoors with your Girl Scouts and earn the S’more Fun Outdoor Skills Patch! This program is designed for volunteers of all experience levels to guide you through the Girl Scout Outdoor Progression, helping you and your girls build confidence, learn essential outdoor skills, and develop a love for nature.
Complete the steps with your girls to earn the main patch, then continue the adventure by adding logs to your fire for even more outdoor fun!
Service Unit Reminder
Submit your Recognition Event Plan and Awards Request to let us know when your event is going to be held and who to mail the awards to. Please submit by June 15.
Service Unit Elections take place each spring to determine the service unit leadership team for the 2026-27 Girl Scout year. Please review the guidelines and be sure to hold elections and submit the results by June 15. Service unit roles will be added to members after the election results are received.
Reserve a GSDH Camp Property
We welcome you to take your troop camping, get away for a few days, plan a special event, or participate in a team-building experience at a GSDH Camp Property. Council schedules Girl Scout camps throughout the summer, but there are plenty of rental dates available for troops looking to book their next adventure. Camp properties are available for rent from May (depending on the weather) through September.
Member Services
Member Services is your first-stop help center and can answer most questions on your first contact with the council office! Contact Member Services at 800.666.2141 or help@gsdakotahorizons.org.
