Truth of the Matter

Girl Scout Cookies

We all know that buying Girl Scout Cookies does a world of good, but where exactly does the cookie money go?

One hundred percent of the money that a council and its troops raise through the Girl Scout Cookie Program stays with that council and its troops. Again, let there be no question: all of the revenue from cookie activities—every penny after paying the baker—stays with the Girl Scout council. Girl Scout councils offer a wide variety of recognition items, program- and store-related credits, and travel experiences that girls are eligible to earn individually based on their sales. Girl Scout councils do not provide any portion of their cookie revenue to Girl Scouts of the USA.

The Girl Scout Cookie Program is an important program for girls. Through this program, girls not only learn goal setting, but also decision making, money management, people skills, and business ethics—aspects essential to leadership, to success, and to life. Girl Scouts selling Girl Scout Cookies set their own money-earning goals for the season. They may decide to donate troop proceeds to a local animal hospital or use their hard-earned money to help fund a back-to-nature wilderness adventure. Whatever the specific goals and outcomes, we assure you that selling cookies does great things for girls.

Should people be concerned about where the money goes?

As we’ve made clear, absolutely not! Girl Scout cookie sales fund the amazing work that Girl Scouts do to improve communities nationwide—including yours. Through Girl Scouting, including our beloved Girl Scout Cookie Program, girls discover the fun and friendships that life holds, developing to their full potential and gaining values that will guide their actions along the way.

More background: in the United States, Girl Scouts serves 3 million members as part of a worldwide girl-serving family consisting of 10 million girls and adults in 145 countries. More than 59 million American women were Girl Scouts as girls, and through our 100-year-plus history, our mission has remained constant: to build girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.

Psst, here’s a tip: if you want to know more about where the money goes, ask a Girl Scout! She would probably love to give you the full scoop.

Why do some people voice concern about Girl Scout Cookies?

In short, it’s because they’ve been fed false information about the Girl Scout Cookie Program, which frankly is nothing new. As such a large organization, Girl Scouts is occasionally a target for outside entities with clear agendas. A fundamental piece you should know is that Girl Scouts does not advocate one way or another with regard to what we perceive as private issues best handled by families. Personal matters are just that—personal and private—and should be addressed accordingly.

And hey, let’s let the girls have fun! We ask that adults keep adult conversations to themselves. Approaching girls with salacious materials at a cookie sale is not appropriate.

Should I buy Girl Scout Cookies?

For all the great reasons above, we certainly think so! Following a diet that looks less than favorably on sweet treats? You should know that Girl Scouts have the option of participating in a council-approved “Gift of Caring” or “Cookie Share” program that allows them to collect cookie box donations for military personnel serving overseas. Ask us more about it!

To drive our point home: when a Girl Scout sells you cookies, she’s building a lifetime of skills and confidence. Through Girl Scouting and the Girl Scout Cookie Program, girls learn they can be and do anything they choose. And why wouldn’t you want to be a part of that?

Throughout Girl Scouts—Dakota Horizons, hundreds of parents and adult leaders are working together with Girl Scouts to promote girls’ leadership development and growth. Each girl is encouraged to develop her own strong values within the context of family, faith and the Girl Scout Promise and Law. Please take a moment to review the truths about Girl Scouts and how this remarkable organization is giving girls amazing opportunities and providing one-of-a-kind programs that build girls of courage, confidence and character.

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Members of Girl Scouts—Dakota Horizons appreciate the rich diversity of values, opinions and beliefs surrounding religious and social issues. Our membership is open to all girls and adults who accept the Girl Scout Promise and Law, and who meet membership requirements. We are an inclusive organization, and we do not discriminate or recruit on the basis of race, religion, ethnicity, socioeconomic status or national origin. We welcome members of all abilities. The organization does not permit advocacy or promotion of personal lifestyle or orientation.

Girl Scouts—Dakota Horizons does not take a position on abortion or birth control or have a relationship with Planned Parenthood. The national umbrella organization, Girl Scouts of the USA, does not have a relationship with Planned Parenthood on a national level and does not plan to have one.

Please join Girl Scouts—Dakota Horizons in continuing to offer girls one-of-a-kind leadership building experiences. Thank you again for caring enough about your daughter and Girl Scouts to seek the truth in these matters.