Volunteer Scoop: November
11/20/2025
News & Updates
Important Award Deadlines
Girl Leadership Award paperwork is due February 1 for recognition in spring 2026. Be sure to check out our website for all the details and requirements—let’s celebrate everything our Girl Scouts are accomplishing!
Gold, Silver, and Bronze Award final reports are also due February 1 to be honored at Honoring Excellence in Fargo in June 2026. We can’t wait to shine a spotlight on their incredible achievements!
Girl Higher Award Virtual Learning Sessions
Learn more about Leadership and Higher Awards at our virtual learning sessions for girls and adult volunteers, and caregivers.
Lead the Way: Cadette Silver Award Training 1/11/26 - Virtual Live
Lead the Way: Senior and Ambassador Gold Award Training 1/11/26 - Virtual Live
Know a Volunteer who Went Above and Beyond in 2025?
Show your appreciation by nominating them for an Adult Achievement Award!
From the Unsung Hero Award to the GSUSA Volunteer of Excellence Award, there are so many meaningful ways to recognize the incredible impact Girl Scout volunteers make—both in their local communities and across our entire council.
Don’t wait! Nominations are due February 1, 2026, for awards presented at Honoring Excellence in June 2026.
View the full list of Adult Achievement Awards and nomination forms on our website—and help us celebrate the volunteers who make Girl Scouting shine!
Join us for Cookie University
Girls will explore more as they build their biz skills, earn a cookie finance badge, and participate in hands-on activities that will get them ready to rock the road to a successful cookie season. Whether they're brand new or a cookie pro, there's a special track for every girl! Find a Cookie University near you and register your girls now to save their seats!
If financial circumstances might keep a girl from attending Girl Scout events, Event Scholarships are available to help make those experiences possible.
Product Program Updates
Fall Product Program
- Fall Product deliveries to Fall Product Managers should start soon! Damaged products to be reported to your Service Unit Fall Product Manager by December 7.
- Reward deliveries start the first week of December. Damaged rewards to be reported to your Service Unit Fall Product Manager by December 10.
Cookie Program
Mark your calendars! The 2026 Cookie Program will kick off on February 9. We have updated the Cookie Resources page of our website.
- Mid-December–NEW Mascot & More Patch Program Flyer mailed to households!
- January 4 – Cookie Booth Lotteries Begin
- January 5 – Troop Co-Leader/Cookie Coordinator Webinars – sign up on our website
- January 8 – Troop Initial Orders Due
New for the 2026 Cookie Program – EXPLOREMORES!
Exploremores™ - the latest in Girl Scout Cookies! These rocky road ice cream-inspired sandwich cookies—filled with the delicious flavors of chocolate, marshmallow, and toasted almond-flavored crème—reflect the spirit of exploration at the heart of every Girl Scout. From a curious kindergartener, amazed by jellyfish at the local aquarium, to a middle schooler finding the courage to go on her first overnight trip with her troop, Girl Scouts know the road to discovery starts with exploration.
Interested in Girl Scouts Unite 2026?
We’re excited to share that the 2026 Girl Scouts Unite event will take place in Washington, DC, from Thursday, July 23, through Saturday, July 25, 2026. While GSDH will not be offering a council-sponsored group trip, we are here to support any members who are interested in attending on their own. Our team can provide information, help with registration, and we have reserved several hotel rooms for July 22 through July 26 to assist with planning.
To learn more about the event, visit the GSUSA Girl Scouts Unite page. If you are interested in receiving updates from GSDH or would like assistance as you prepare, please complete our Girl Scouts Unite information request form.
Keep Your Troop Finances on Track
Visit the Troop Finances section of our website to explore helpful resources and guidelines, and to download the 2025–2026 Check Register (Excel workbook). It’s the perfect tool for tracking your troop’s funds all year long—and it makes submitting your Annual Finance Report in June a breeze!
Get Certified in First Aid, CPR, and AED
We are happy to provide the Red Cross Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED blended learning course to our members at a discounted rate. This course will teach you how to recognize and respond to a variety of first aid, breathing, and cardiac emergencies for adults, children, and infants, and provides certification valid for 2 years.
Who can attend: Adult Girl Scout Volunteers, 7th–8th grade Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors.
Upcoming courses:
- Sioux Falls – January 11
- Fargo – January 17
- Bismarck – January 17
View course details and register today!
Retail Services
Dakota Horizons' Retail Services offers a variety of ways to shop for badges, uniforms, awards, gifts, specialty items, and more! Find the shopping option that best meets your needs at gsdakotahorizons.org/shop.
Free Shipping Thursdays! Orders placed on the First Thursday of each month directly with our retail services will ship free to your doorstep. Call 800-666-2141 or email your order form to help@gsdakotahorizons.org to place your order.
Member Services
Our Member Services team is your go-to help center—they can answer most questions on your very first contact with the council office. We’re here to support you every step of the way!
800.666.2141
help@gsdakotahorizons.org
Holiday Office Closure
All GSDH offices and retail stores will be closed on Thursday, November 27, and from December 22 – January 2.
With our offices closed, our Member Services team will also be unavailable from December 22 to January 2. The team will respond to all voicemails and emails once we resume regular business hours on January 5.
If you have an emergency during that time, please contact Stacy Stahl, Chief Mission Delivery Officer, at 605-521-9925.
