By Marisa Dawson
In Bennington, a dedicated troop of 83 Girl Scouts in grades K–8 is diving into the 2026 cookie season with high energy and clear goals. The girls are motivated not just by the chance to sell treats, but by what those sales make possible: funding for camps, programs, and community giving that build confidence, independence, and real-world skills.
Rana Forrest, local Girl Scout Leader who has been involved with Girl Scouts for 40 years, described the troop’s preparation and enthusiasm. At a recent meeting, the girls tasted the full lineup of cookies, created personalized goal trackers, and practiced responding to common customer questions. Older members shared tips with younger ones to build confidence as in-person sales ramp up.
“We amp up motivation by creating excitement and confidence around cookie season,” Forrest said. “Some of the girls attended the council cookie kickoff, and we followed that up by hosting our own kickoff at our last meeting. The girls tasted all the cookies, created goal trackers using paint stir sticks, and practiced answering frequently asked customer questions. Our older girls also shared their experiences and tips, which helped the younger girls feel more prepared and excited to begin their selling journey.”
The troop relies heavily on family involvement and consistent communication to share progress, coordinate supplies, and post photos of sales efforts. This teamwork approach has proven effective in past seasons and keeps the group connected and encouraged.
One memorable example from previous years shows how the girls turn challenges into opportunities. When a customer said, “I’m on a diet,” one Scout creatively suggested the Gift of Sharing program.
“She explained the ‘Gift of Sharing’ option, where customers can purchase a box of cookies that will be donated to local organizations,” Forrest explained. “This approach showed strong decision-making and problem-solving skills, as well as an understanding of customer needs. It also reinforced an important lesson for the girls- that while we always respect someone’s personal choices, there are still meaningful ways to share kindness and give back to the community.”
Through the program, the troop has donated cookies to local Bennington organizations such as the fire and rescue department, police department, library, and the community food pantry. “The girls take pride in knowing their efforts help support and thank the people and organizations that serve our community,” Forrest noted.
Proceeds from sales directly support local Girl Scouts by offsetting costs for individual girls to attend council programs and camps. The troop’s members are especially looking forward to their annual August trip to Timberlake Ranch Camp, which includes high ropes courses, obstacle courses, horseback riding, canoeing, swimming, outdoor cooking, and a new archery activity this year.
As booth sales start to ramp up (starting February 13 after in-person sales begin February 6), the girls look forward to engaging with customers and plan to bring back interactive elements like last year’s popular Cookie Bingo game at booths. The troop has set an ambitious goal to surpass last year’s sales of over 13,000 boxes, and Forrest said the girls remain confident despite Nebraska’s winter weather, often seeing stronger sales on colder days.
Online ordering has been available since January 23 for direct shipping, and the season runs through March 15. Customers can use the Cookie Finder tool at GirlScoutsNebraska.org to locate booths or place orders.
This season’s lineup includes classic favorites such as Thin Mints®, Caramel deLites®, Peanut Butter Patties®, and others, alongside a new addition: Exploremores™, a sandwich cookie inspired by rocky road ice cream, featuring layers of chocolate, marshmallow, and toasted almond crème. The girls in Forrest’s troop have already tried it and expressed excitement.
“Yes, the girls in our troop have tasted the new Exploremores cookie, and there’s a lot of excitement around it! They love trying new cookies—both to enjoy and to sell—and they recently had the chance to taste all of the cookies at our last meeting. The new cookie is already becoming a favorite among many of the girls,” Forrest said.
The Girl Scout Cookie Program teaches practical skills like goal setting, money management, decision-making, and business ethics through this girl-led effort. Forrest offered advice for families considering joining.
“As a leader, my advice to families considering Girl Scouts is simple: it’s so much more than an activity—it’s an investment in your child’s future,” she said. “I’ve been involved in Girl Scouts for 40 years, and I’ve seen firsthand how the program builds girls of courage, confidence, and character. Through experiences like the cookie program, girls develop real-world entrepreneurial skills, including public speaking, building professional relationships, overcoming challenges, community engagement, and financial management. The girls I’ve led carry these skills into every area of their lives, long after cookie season ends. Girl Scouts isn’t just something fun a girl does for a short time—it helps shape who she becomes and prepares her for anything she chooses to pursue.”
In Bennington and across the region, these young entrepreneurs are turning cookie sales into lasting community impact and personal growth.
Below is the current plan for in-person booths to support the local Bennington Girl Scouts. More locations will likely be added.
