The Girl Scouts of the USA are gearing up for another cookie season starting this January, and this year there is a new sweet addition to the lineup. The new cookie, named Exploremores, is inspired by rocky road ice cream and features a chocolate sandwich cookie filled with marshmallow and toasted almond–flavored crème. This flavorful newcomer will join the established favorites like Thin Mints, Samoas, and Tagalongs. Like all Girl Scout cookies, Exploremores will be available for purchase both online and at local booths run by the troops themselves.
Beyond just satisfying cravings, the Girl Scout cookie program is a major fundraising engine. On average, around one million Girl Scouts sell over 200 million boxes of cookies each year, generating more than $800 million in revenue during the selling season that typically runs from January through April. This revenue isn’t just about selling cookies. It fuels the activities and opportunities Girl Scouts get throughout the year across the country.
The money raised remains local. The proceeds from cookie sales fund the programming of the regional Girl Scout councils and the local troops that sell the cookies. Specifically, approximately 70% of the sales revenue is retained by local councils to support their programs. Within this, about 15% goes directly to the troops, giving the girls the means to fund their own activities, from travel to community projects and outdoor experiences, while also maintaining camps and other facilities.
This decentralized distribution of funds allows each council and troop to decide how to best use their earnings. Some troops might invest in STEM-related activities, others may focus on outdoor adventures, and many dedicate funds to service projects within their communities. This approach not only fosters a broad range of experiences for Girl Scouts but also teaches valuable financial skills. Girls learn how to budget, set goals, and manage money through real world practice, sharpening leadership and entrepreneurial skills needed beyond their youth.
Cookie sales are also said to represent the largest girl-led financial literacy program in the world. By participating, Girl Scouts earn badges that recognize their achievements in business-related areas such as marketing, sales, and customer relations. These badges include titles like “Cookie CEO” and “My Cookie Team,” reflecting the program’s focus on empowering girls through practical lessons in decision making, communication, and financial responsibility.
The economics behind the cookie sales reveal that Girl Scout councils net around $4 to $5 per box sold, depending on the price set by the local council and production costs. Typical prices range between $5 and $7 per box in different regions. Production and delivery costs generally consume about 30% of the retail price, with the rest supporting council programs and troop activities. Nationally, the Girl Scouts organization also receives royalties from the bakers who produce the cookies for use of the brand name and logo, but this accounts for a relatively small share of their overall revenue.
Introducing Exploremores brings not only a fresh treat to customers but also signals the continued evolution of the cookie program in keeping Girl Scouts engaged and excited. The cookie embodies both a fun twist on tradition and the spirit of exploration that the Girl Scouts have always encouraged. With backing from sponsors like Adobe for the 2026 season, the program emphasizes creativity and innovation among participants.
Buying Girl Scout cookies is about more than just a sweet snack. The funds raised by these sales make a significant impact on the lives of hundreds of thousands of girls across the country, supporting their development and a year-round calendar of enriching activities. Meanwhile, the girls gain firsthand experience running a small business, a hands-on education in perseverance, teamwork, and financial literacy that can serve them for a lifetime.
So when January arrives and cookie booths pop up, picking up a box of Exploremores or the old favorites means investing in the future of young leaders and supporting a proven program that combines community fundraising with meaningful life lessons. It’s a reminder that sometimes the best businesses are built on mixing passion with a good dose of entrepreneurial spirit, and a little bit of marshmallow crème.
