For over 70 years, the Girl Scout cookie program activity has been part of American life. Together, Girl Scout Councils, bakers, and Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. have created the most successful and long-lived product sale in nonprofit history. Countless girls have learned and benefited from their participation in the  Girl  Scout  cookie  program,  demonstrating  to each  other and to their  families, their Councils,  their communities, and the nation at large that this program activity provides motivation and recognition and that long-term benefits resonate well beyond the activity itself.

Girl Scout cookie program activities have helped girls learn invaluable skills, such as decision-making, money management, and delivering on a promise. These activities are directly related to our mission of helping all girls realize their full potential and become strong, confident, and resourceful citizens. Each girl's participation in the cookie program is voluntary. Most Brownie, Junior, Cadette, and Senior Girl Scouts enjoy the experience and look forward to taking part in the program each year.

The purpose of the Girl Scout Cookie Sale is twofold: first and foremost is to help girls develop a wide range of skills—leadership, entrepreneurship, money management, decision-making, planning, goal setting, interpersonal, teamwork, and many more. The second purpose is to generate income for Girl Scout troops, Councils, and Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. These funds are used solely to help underwrite Girl Scout program in the United States. Through the cookie sale activity, Girl Scouting not only advances its purpose but generates a significant portion of the money it needs to fulfill its purpose.