G.S. Cookies – Three Category Goal Brainstorm

Activity Description: Youths brainstorm ideas for how to use cookie money based on three categories and vote on their favorite troop goals.

Items Needed:

Three large pieces of paper
Markers for labeling categories
Stickers or colored markers for voting
(Optional) Sample Goal Ideas for GSUSA by The Badge Archive
(Optional) Tape to hang paper around the room

Before the Meeting Starts:

Set up brainstorming papers. (3–5 min)
- Label papers “Helping others/Take action,” “Field trips,” and “Troop meeting activities.”
- Hang them around the room where Youth can reach.

Instructions (Estimated Total Time: 25–35 min):

Brainstorm ideas with families. (5–7 min)
- As Youth arrive, encourage them to talk with families about how to use cookie money.
- Youth can write or draw ideas on the papers under the correct category.
Add troop ideas. (4–6 min)
- At the start of the meeting, let Youth finish adding ideas.
- Leaders may add a few suggestions to help guide choices.
Vote on favorites. (5–7 min)
- Give each Youth three stickers or a marker or let them use colored markers.
- Youth place stickers or write up to three check marks next to their favorite ideas.
- Help read options out loud if needed for younger scouts.
Highlight top choices. (3–5 min)
- Count votes and mark the top two ideas in each category.
Ask Youth to vote on the final choices. (4–6 min)
- Youth vote by raising hands, placing stickers, or using tokens. Or read each idea aloud and ask youth to clap for the ones they like best. Count claps to see which ideas are most popular.
- Count votes and announce the top choice.
- See GSUSA – D/B/J Voting or GSUSA – Teen Scout Voting for more details on how to vote.
Talk about the goal. (4–5 min)
- Ask Youth what they like about the winning goal.
- Talk about how many cookie packages the troop will try to sell to reach their goals. Help Youth understand how their goal connects to their favorite ideas.
Mention personal goals (2 min)
- Divide the troop total goal by the number of active scouts to determine how much each scout should try to sell.
- Remind all youths “Every scout helps in their own way. Some will sell a little, some will sell a lot, and that’s okay! We’re working together as a team. This number shows how much help the troop needs, but your family can also pick your own goal and try for fun rewards from the council.”

–

Click Here -> See what GSUSA Requirements could be met in Goals Category

Leaders – please be aware of double dipping and make your own informed choice.

Info Needed for Set Goals: Brainstorm ideas, pick one to make a troop sales goal, and set your personal goal.

Fulfills Step 2 of GSUSA Daisy My First Cookie Business badge requirements.
Fulfills Step 1 of GSUSA Daisy Cookie Goal Setter badge requirements.
Fulfills Step 2 of GSUSA Brownie My Cookie Customers badge requirements.
Fulfills Step 2 of GSUSA Brownie Cookie Decision Maker badge requirements.
Fulfills Step 2 of GSUSA Junior My Cookie Team badge requirements.
Fulfills Step 2 of GSUSA Junior Cookie Collaborator badge requirements.
Fulfills Step 2 of GSUSA Cadette My Cookie Venture badge requirements.
Fulfills Step 2 of GSUSA Cadette Cookie Market Researcher badge requirements.
Fulfills Step 2 of GSUSA Cadette Cookie Innovator badge requirements.

Info Needed for Budget Goals: Set a troop goal and budget and get feedback

Fulfills Step 3 of GSUSA Junior Cookie Collaborator badge requirements.
Fulfills Step 2 of GSUSA Senior My Cookie Network badge requirements.
Fulfills Step 1 of GSUSA Ambassador My Cookie Business Resume badge requirements.

Info Needed for SMART Goals: Learn what SMART is and apply it to the troop sales goal.