The Badge Archive

---

Preventative Measures:

• Leaders are advised to avoid over-ordering inventory during the final weeks of sales to minimize leftover stock. Service Unit support can be valuable in preventing this issue.
• Troop-to-troop transfers are an effective way to reallocate extra inventory to other troops that need more cookies.

Here’s some advice for leaders to consider after cookie season ends to manage leftover inventory effectively:

1. Host Post-Season Sales Events:
   • If allowed by your council, organize smaller, themed events such as “Cookie Pop-Up Shops” in visible locations like community parks, local events, or farmers’ markets. These are informal yet effective ways to sell leftover cookies.
2. Approach Local Businesses or Organizations:
   • Reach out to small businesses, corporate offices, or local organizations to see if they’d be interested in bulk cookie purchases for employee appreciation, giveaways, or events. Some may even sponsor the donation of cookies to a specific cause.
3. Sell at Community Events:
   • Attend local fairs, sports events, or other community gatherings where you’re permitted to sell cookies. Some councils do not allow this after the official season is over, but some allow a parking lot sell from your vehicle type sale. This expands your customer base and provides additional selling opportunities.
4. Focus on Direct Outreach:
   • Encourage scouts and families to contact previous customers through phone, text, or social media to let them know there’s still an opportunity to purchase cookies. Personal connections often lead to strong results.
5. Use Leftover Cookies Creatively:
   • Explore ways to repurpose cookies, such as selling desserts or baked goods made from them at troop-approved fundraisers. This is particularly useful if your council permits selling products derived from cookies for additional fundraising.
6. Donations with a Twist:
   • Organize a “Cookies for a Cause” drive where customers can purchase specific boxes to donate (e.g., to hospitals, fire departments, or food pantries). This is a great way to encourage generosity while clearing out inventory.
7. Continue Individual Sales:
   • Encourage scouts to keep selling cookies one-on-one in their neighborhoods or networks until they recover costs. This approach works well if your council allows sales beyond the official season.
8. Leverage Social Media:
   • Use social media to advertise leftover cookie sales. Be clear that it’s a post-season effort and provide details on how customers can purchase from you.
9. Collaborate with Other Troops:
   • If some troops in your area have inventory shortages, arrange transfers to help balance stock and minimize waste.
10. Utilize Parent Networks:
    • Parents can help by sharing leftover cookie availability at their workplaces, clubs, or social groups. Many coworkers love supporting local scouts through cookie purchases even if the official season is over.

---

Creative Ways to Sell Cookies:

1. Tea Party or Cookie Flights:
   • Host a tea party featuring hot tea dispensers in 2 flavors and optional coffee for customers to enjoy.
   • Allow attendees to sample 2 types of cookies, creating a fun and interactive sales experience. Alternatively, offer “cookie flights” for sampling multiple flavors.
2. Bake-Off Contest:
   • Organize a bake-off where scouts (or community members) pay an entry fee and create desserts using Girl Scout cookies as ingredients.
   • Open the event to a broader audience, such as your Service Unit or council, and let participants showcase their creativity while promoting cookie sales.
3. Parking Lot Sales:
   • Park in a visible location and directly reach out to your network (e.g., previous buyers, family, friends, or neighbors) to help clear inventory.
4. Ask for Donations:
   • Collect donations and use the funds to bring cookies to local firefighters, police officers, hospital workers, or shelters. This creates community goodwill and clears inventory.

---

Reimagining Cookies as Baked Goods:
If your council permits selling baked goods made from cookies at events, consider these ideas:

1. Cookie-Crusted Desserts:
   • Use crushed cookies as crusts for mini pies or cheesecakes.
2. Cookie Milkshakes or Blizzards:
   • Blend cookies into milkshakes or ice cream for a refreshing treat. This can be made on-site for an interactive experience.
3. Cookie Pops:
   • Crush cookies and mix them with cream cheese to form small balls. Dip them in chocolate, place them on sticks, and serve as cookie pops.
4. Cookie Bark:
   • Break cookies into pieces and coat them with melted chocolate. Sprinkle crushed candy or nuts on top and let it harden for an easy-to-transport treat.
5. Cookie Parfaits:
   • Layer cookie crumbles, whipped cream, and fruit in cups for a visually appealing dessert.

Storage Tips: Ensure any baked goods can stay fresh outdoors for 2–3 hours by using coolers or serving under a shaded pop-up tent.

---

Additional Fundraising Ideas:

• Promote drinks donated to your troop alongside baked goods.
• Offer customers the option to donate a box to a designated cause (e.g., local military families, food pantries) by purchasing the box themselves and placing it in a donation bin at your booth.
• Open creative fundraising ideas to your scouts and involve them in brainstorming so they can take the lead in planning sales and events.

---

Lessons Learned:
After the official cookie sale ends, managing unsold inventory can be challenging, but it also presents an opportunity for growth and creativity. Troops can explore innovative ways to clear leftover stock while fostering skill-building experiences for their scouts. By empowering scouts to take ownership of the process, guiding new leaders, and collaborating with Service Units or Communities, troops can transform cookie sales into meaningful activities that benefit both their members and the broader community.

–

For More Fun Ideas and Plans

for Daisy, Brownie, and Junior Scouts

This is a supportive Facebook community for Daisy, Brownie, and Junior Girl Scout leaders. Whether you’re seeking advice, fresh ideas, or meeting plans, you’re in the right place! Let’s inspire each other, share our experiences, and make every troop meeting a memorable adventure.

for Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador Scouts

This is a supportive community for Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador Girl Scout leaders. This group offers solutions to keep older scouts engaged in scouting amidst their busy lives. Share strategies, tackle challenges, and exchange ideas for fun, meaningful activities that resonate with teens and build lasting connections.

Find out how you can support The Badge Archive!

–

• Return to the Daisy Badge List.
• Return to the Brownie Badge List.
• Return to the Junior Badge List.
• Return to the Cadette Badge List.
• Return to the Senior Badge List.
• Return to the Ambassador Badge List.

–