Activity Description: Youth decide how to give back with their cookie money by voting on a community idea and setting a goal.
Items Needed:
- Community Giving Ideas on the Sample Goal Ideas for GSUSA by The Badge Archive
- (Optional) Voting materials such as beads, sticky notes, or ballot slips
- (Optional) Contact information for local organizations
Instructions (Estimated Total Time: 10–20 min):
- Share giving ideas. (5–6 min)
- Present options such as donating food to a pantry or making treats for an animal shelter. Add other ideas suggested by youth.
- Vote on favorite Giving Goals. (5–6 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. Record the giving goal so the group can follow it later.
- See GSUSA – D/B/J Voting or GSUSA – Teen Scout Voting for more details on how to vote.
- (Optional) Plan a connection. (5–6 min)
- Talk about how giving back helps the community.
- If possible, schedule a visit to the chosen organization or invite a representative to meet the troop. Encourage youth to meet the people there and learn about their work.
- Discuss if the organization allows volunteering when youth are older.
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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.
This activity does not meet any Scouting America Requirements
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For More Fun Ideas and Plans
Join the Girl Scout Daisy, Brownie, and Junior Leader Help Facebook Group
(Not an official GSUSA Group)
Join the Girl Scout Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador Leader Help Facebook Group
(Not an official GSUSA Group)
See other Recommended Facebook Groups for some Scouting Organizations
(No official Groups)
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Click Here -> To see information References:
Disclaimer: The information published on Youth Activity Archive and The Badge Archive is built from the references listed below. These sources demonstrate that our content is grounded in facts and research, not opinion or speculation. Readers may consult them directly when looking for additional material.
- Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. “Volunteer Toolkit Explore.” Girlscouts.org, my.girlscouts.org/content/girlscouts-vtk/en/vtk.explore.html. Accessed 20 Nov. 2025.
- Find out how you can support The Badge Archive!
- Return to the Set Goals Category
- Return to the Budget Goals Category
- Return to the G.S. Cookies Category
